Writing is something I’ve always wanted to do. People say I’m good at writing drama and angst. They say I can break your heart with my words. I don’t know about all that, but I know that there’s one thing that’s hard for me… it’s so hard for me to write mystery. Mostly because I give everything away.
I love reading mysteries, especially murder mysteries like those that inspired the television show Bones. I’ve always wanted to be able to write a story that has a mystery embedded into the entire story and not give it away until the very end of the story. I want to be that kind of writer.
So I sat down and started thinking about my favorite young adult mysteries. Why did I like them so much, and which ones topped the list? So here are my top five favorite young adult mysteries.
1.The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson
2. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
3. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
4. Changeling by Philippa Gregory
5. Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
I think what draws me so much about these kinds of stories is that they draw you in at the beginning and don’t let go until the end. They drop little clues throughout the story to let you figure out what’s going on, but they never give you the big picture until it’s time for the big reveal. There are a few close calls and a little bit of misdirection, but the writers NEVER give it away.
I wish I could do that.
Maybe that will be my next project. I’ll write a mystery. Just as soon as I finish the third Elemental Royals novel.
It might take a while though. I like to give away too much.
Buy Links:
Synopsis of The Forest's Heir:
Seventeen year old Rosalind Rowan was born a princess, the apple of her father's eye. She loves the thick forests and lush meadows of the Forested Land. She is sometimes selfish and reckless, but she is also kind and loves fearlessly. Rosalind-who is known to everyone but the Queen as Rose-is desperately in love with Gavin Ashford, the dashing and intriguing son of an important lord. She wants nothing more than to marry Gavin and live in a country manor, far away from court. Because once her older sister marries, Rosalind must take up the position of Regent of the Forested Land. But things aren't always simple. When Rosalind uncovers abilities she should never have and sickness tears through the kingdom, the ordered world Rosalind thought she knew threatens to crash around her.
No comments:
Post a Comment
I love comments, and I will definitely read anything that is left here. Don't be shy, I'd love to know what you are thinking!