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Avoiding Plot Conveniences When Writing Crime and Mystery Novels by Janet L. Shaw
Have
you ever reached the end of a gripping crime or mystery novel and found
yourself exclaiming, 'Huh? How did that happen?'
You've just identified a trap that some authors fall into - the
convenient plot device.
I came across this recently in a book by an author I respect. The story
was tightly written, the characters well drawn and believable, and the
plot had me on the edge of my seat.
But all my respect for the author shriveled at the final climactic
scene. Here's how it panned out.
The psychopathic serial killer has finally caught the beautiful heroin.
Trapped in an isolated alley with the super-human killer, the intended
victim has nowhere to go. Very quickly, the chloroform-soaked rag is
over her nose and mouth and she's losing consciousness, when...
Suddenly, the killer collapses on the ground and starts vomiting blood.
But who, how, why, I hear you asking, and so was I.
All we learn is that he's been poisoned. Who did it isn't such a
difficult question; the infatuated and deluded prison officer who aided
the killer's escape from jail is definitely in the frame.
But how did she get the poison? And when did she decide to knock off
her soon-to-be husband? On her list for elimination was the beautiful
heroin, an unwelcome distraction for her boyfriend.
I skimmed back through the pages, searching for the slightest hint that
she'd changed her motive. But there was none.
There's nothing more annoying than reaching the end of a great mystery
or crime novel, only to be disappointed by the author resorting to
convenience, as in this case.
Writing needs to be tight all the way through the book. It's easy to
lose the plot, so to speak, as you near the end of your story. You just
want to finish it, and you're desperate for a quick resolution.
But don't give in to this temptation. Take a break and come back to it
with fresh eyes.
To escape the sloppy endings and convenient plot devices, keep these
things in mind when you're writing and reviewing your novel:
• Don't drop in a clue at the end that changes everything,
but which
has no connection with the rest of the book. Everything needs to be
connected. So go back and plant some more hints that will make the
final clue believable.
• Don't have your protagonist or antagonist making choices
or acting on
something that is totally out of character. Keep asking yourself,
'would she really do this?' or 'would he react in this way?'
• Resist the urge to have the cavalry show up in the final
crucial
seconds. I've seen this technique often, and it irks me. The author
then spends the final chapter explaining the sequence of events to
which the reader wasn't privy.
The best way to avoid using plot conveniences is to notice them in
books you read. Find out what really irks you, and vow never to do the
same.
Janet Shaw is a ghost writer, manuscript assessor and published author.
She writes for children, young adults and adults in both fiction and
non-fiction. Need professional feedback on your manuscript? Visit
http://janetshaw.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Janet_L_Shaw.
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