Mystery workshop

I won't say that I enjoyed the workshop today, because it's too early right now to be as sincere as I'd hope to be in my blog. I will, however, say that I was absolutely intrigued. The idea that mystery is crucial to any plot is obvious, but I've never thought of it before.

I liked Reed, he definitely seems like a character. I'm currently on his site on Mystery Writers of America (I found it from Google.) I was surprised to see a link to an "Approved Pub List," but it turns out that means Publishers! I figured I would share that anecdote. I thought it was funny.

So, more on the workshop. I loved this little activity we did where we searched through a newspaper, and from the headline came up with a mystery plot. I tried it at home a bit with Newsday, and found it to be a pretty engaging activity. Perhaps a staple to go to when dealing with "bullshit" writer's block.

I'm excited to write my Chapter One of a mystery novel. So excited that on the way home all I could do was yearn for a pen and piece of paper. My mind was buzzing with secrets, plots, and conspiracies. Maybe those are all the same thing. Maybe I'm being horribly, awfully, badly redundant. But, I digress! Here's the first few sentences I've thought of. Reed discussed how important the first lines are in setting the tone for your novel, which I kept in mind. Of course, without knowing what I know about the story, that really doesn't make much sense to you, dear reader.

It was at the Aquarium that I first became acquainted with Franklin Turne. He was beside the shark tank, peering inside with an apathetic blankness in his eyes. He wore a black buttoned suit, and I'm quite sure my eyes would have passed right over him if it were not for the briefcase clenched within his right hand.

So that's what I have for now. I know where I want the story to go, but I'm unsure exactly how I'm getting there. But I suppose a mystery needs room to breathe.