Comments on: Unanswered Questions http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2004/09/07/unanswered-questions/ musings, thoughts, and writings of Barbara W. Klaser Sat, 21 Jan 2012 23:02:54 -0500 hourly 1 By: Barbara http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2004/09/07/unanswered-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-49 Barbara Wed, 22 Sep 2004 17:27:04 +0000 /?p=79#comment-49 Hi Yogini, Thankfully, this was a pretty unusual event for our neighborhood. The worst problem we usually encounter is loose dogs. Hi Yogini,

Thankfully, this was a pretty unusual event for our neighborhood. The worst problem we usually encounter is loose dogs.

]]> By: Yogini http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2004/09/07/unanswered-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-47 Yogini Tue, 21 Sep 2004 13:40:28 +0000 /?p=79#comment-47 Hi Barbara, You have the strangest neighborhood problems and events it seems. Our neighborhood is very peaceful compared to yours. It would be a good opening for a play or movie though.... Take care, your sis, Yogini Elena :-) Hi Barbara, You have the strangest neighborhood problems and events it seems. Our neighborhood is very peaceful compared to yours. It would be a good opening for a play or movie though….
Take care, your sis, Yogini Elena :-)

]]> By: mark http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2004/09/07/unanswered-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-42 mark Thu, 09 Sep 2004 13:53:49 +0000 /?p=79#comment-42 Good comments Barbara. You can't hide a villian, however. It's tough to manage."Secret Window" did a fairly good job. Suspense and surprise cannot be too predictable. For instance, "Sixth Sense" really got me. I enjoyed playing that movie for my parents and watching their reaction. Good comments Barbara. You can’t hide a villian, however. It’s tough to manage.”Secret Window” did a fairly good job. Suspense and surprise cannot be too predictable. For instance, “Sixth Sense” really got me. I enjoyed playing that movie for my parents and watching their reaction.

]]> By: Barbara http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2004/09/07/unanswered-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-41 Barbara Wed, 08 Sep 2004 00:31:09 +0000 /?p=79#comment-41 To answer my own question, I usually have an idea how the story will end, but that can change if inspiration strikes mid-story with something better. In the case of a mystery I prefer not to know who the villain is until after at least the first draft is done. I leave loose ends in the story, at first, so it could be one of at least two or three people. Then I sew up the holes when I'm done. This helps me create a deeper, well-rounded villain. If I'm thinking of someone as a killer the whole time, I don't really want to be inside their head, and that can affect good characterization. If I don't know for sure whether someone is capable of killing, then I'm willing to explore who this person is, where they come from, and why they're in the story. Writers have to explore our darker sides, but I prefer the sideways approach. ;) To answer my own question, I usually have an idea how the story will end, but that can change if inspiration strikes mid-story with something better. In the case of a mystery I prefer not to know who the villain is until after at least the first draft is done. I leave loose ends in the story, at first, so it could be one of at least two or three people. Then I sew up the holes when I’m done.

This helps me create a deeper, well-rounded villain. If I’m thinking of someone as a killer the whole time, I don’t really want to be inside their head, and that can affect good characterization. If I don’t know for sure whether someone is capable of killing, then I’m willing to explore who this person is, where they come from, and why they’re in the story.

Writers have to explore our darker sides, but I prefer the sideways approach. ;)

]]> By: Barbara http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2004/09/07/unanswered-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-40 Barbara Wed, 08 Sep 2004 00:06:28 +0000 /?p=79#comment-40 Thanks for your comments! The same thing occurred to me, mark, what a great start for a story. If it was a movie opening or a first chapter, I'd at least want to know what happened next. In real life I'm afraid it was probably something more pitiful than entertaining. Drug dealers or illegal aliens, or maybe they'd stolen the truck. They were in a great hurry to leave, seadragon, and there are a couple of crossroads just down that hill. We have so many dogs in this neighborhood, including our own, it would be close to impossible for anyone to hide out near our house for long without being detected. To be safe, my husband went out and checked around, and we kept our doors locked for the next couple of hours. But they were long gone. Thanks for your comments!

The same thing occurred to me, mark, what a great start for a story. If it was a movie opening or a first chapter, I’d at least want to know what happened next.

In real life I’m afraid it was probably something more pitiful than entertaining. Drug dealers or illegal aliens, or maybe they’d stolen the truck.

They were in a great hurry to leave, seadragon, and there are a couple of crossroads just down that hill. We have so many dogs in this neighborhood, including our own, it would be close to impossible for anyone to hide out near our house for long without being detected. To be safe, my husband went out and checked around, and we kept our doors locked for the next couple of hours. But they were long gone.

]]> By: robin http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2004/09/07/unanswered-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-39 robin Tue, 07 Sep 2004 22:19:30 +0000 /?p=79#comment-39 I usually have an ending in mind before I start. Sometimes, though, it doesn't end like I think it will. I usually have an ending in mind before I start. Sometimes, though, it doesn’t end like I think it will.

]]> By: seadragon http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2004/09/07/unanswered-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-38 seadragon Tue, 07 Sep 2004 20:04:42 +0000 /?p=79#comment-38 I can understand the beauty in an unfinished story. But when it's two wanted men who disappear somewhere behind your house... I think I would want to know what was going on! I can understand the beauty in an unfinished story. But when it’s two wanted men who disappear somewhere behind your house… I think I would want to know what was going on!

]]> By: mark http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2004/09/07/unanswered-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-37 mark Tue, 07 Sep 2004 17:31:40 +0000 /?p=79#comment-37 What a great opening scene.... What a great opening scene….

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