tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post2873058711499699932..comments2023-10-30T07:08:09.860-07:00Comments on It's a Mystery: Twists and TurnsElspeth Futcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10330102545384369360noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-23694007637878495962010-01-28T05:07:50.591-08:002010-01-28T05:07:50.591-08:00I love twists and turns. I love to write them and ...I love twists and turns. I love to write them and read them. Great informative post.T. Powell Coltrinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02160774009926623671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-14593659486190547792010-01-27T22:05:02.077-08:002010-01-27T22:05:02.077-08:00Maryann; I'm sorry I made you almost choke, b...Maryann; I'm sorry I made you almost choke, but I'm glad you thought it was funny. Thanks for letting me know.Elspeth Futcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10330102545384369360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-46137184444430944032010-01-27T19:23:49.905-08:002010-01-27T19:23:49.905-08:00Great pointers, Elsbeth. I almost choked on my cof...Great pointers, Elsbeth. I almost choked on my coffee when I read your comment about romance having to be happy without inducing diabetes. Nice way of putting that. I enjoy your wit.Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-81964433189534728422010-01-27T18:51:52.670-08:002010-01-27T18:51:52.670-08:00Jill; I'm glad you found it useful. I think ...Jill; I'm glad you found it useful. I think a good mix is best.<br /><br />Margot; I find once I do my characters' histories and their motives, the twists seem to appear on their own.<br /><br />Jemi; Isn't it irritating? I always feel ripped off when I don't have a chance to solve the mystery.<br /><br />Alan; I'm so glad you liked it. I think every plot, no matter Elspeth Futcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10330102545384369360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-14312753806960687042010-01-27T18:22:26.608-08:002010-01-27T18:22:26.608-08:00Thanks for sharing those points, Elspeth. All of i...Thanks for sharing those points, Elspeth. All of it useful advise.<br /><br />I especially liked "I try to have a nice mix, but I rely more on the small twists. Too many big ones tend to make the plot fantastical and I try for a certain level of reality".Alan W. Davidsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17067022519729701245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-20389415359541937702010-01-27T15:51:09.450-08:002010-01-27T15:51:09.450-08:00Great points - you're so right on the big humd...Great points - you're so right on the big humdinger at the end. I want the ending to make sense!!!Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-7428363248882720222010-01-27T13:45:49.517-08:002010-01-27T13:45:49.517-08:00Elspeth - What an insightful post! Twists and turn...Elspeth - What an insightful post! Twists and turns add a lot to a plot. Too many, though, and one feels like one's on a crazed roller coaster instead of reading a good novel. As you say, controlled chaos seems a good balance. For what it's worth, I find that if I at least try to plan the twists in advance, then I can work them out without leaving loose ends. Sometimes a twist sneaks in, Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-16491459668444910202010-01-27T13:23:10.403-08:002010-01-27T13:23:10.403-08:00How true! I agree that getting info late in the g...How true! I agree that getting info late in the game is unfair to the reader. <br /><br />I also agree that twists can atke on a life of their own and make it difficult to tie up all the loose ends.<br /><br />Your point about how clues are doled out is a good one: physical, conversation, etc. I will keep this in mind as I work on the next manuscript.<br /><br />Cheers, Jill<br />"Blood Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05152599507268946811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-84310780130247266622010-01-27T12:59:04.093-08:002010-01-27T12:59:04.093-08:00Stephanie; That's one of the good things abou...Stephanie; That's one of the good things about writing about history; all the twists and turns are already there!Elspeth Futcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10330102545384369360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-78900486400295588542010-01-27T12:23:57.362-08:002010-01-27T12:23:57.362-08:00It's always fun to see at the end of my first ...It's always fun to see at the end of my first draft how many twists and turns I've left unsolved. I could never write a mystery- my brain just doesn't work that way!Stephanie Thorntonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17437077559099315853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-29230190327280896892010-01-27T11:41:13.905-08:002010-01-27T11:41:13.905-08:00Carol; A list is a wonderful idea.
Elizabeth; I...Carol; A list is a wonderful idea.<br /><br />Elizabeth; I hope I helped; not (I'm sure) that you need much!<br /><br />Patricia; No duplications. I'm heading to your blog now to find out what this is all about...Elspeth Futcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10330102545384369360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-11548394954278684362010-01-27T11:36:24.536-08:002010-01-27T11:36:24.536-08:00Sorry if this is a duplicate comment, Elspeth, but...Sorry if this is a duplicate comment, Elspeth, but my screen cleared before I was finished (couldn't be anything I did...).<br /><br />Anyway, please stop by my blog when you get a chance. I have nominated you for the Lesa Holstine award (this one is fun).Patricia Stolteyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17192369425956406122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-88097472466173107172010-01-27T10:57:20.631-08:002010-01-27T10:57:20.631-08:00I'm working my clues out right now for my next...I'm working my clues out right now for my next book....you've brought up some really good points here. Thanks Elspeth!<br /><br />ElizabethElizabeth Spann Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15625595247828274405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-71991042326812068902010-01-27T10:37:27.548-08:002010-01-27T10:37:27.548-08:00Boy, can I relate to those twists and turns, not t...Boy, can I relate to those twists and turns, not to mention the real clues and red herrings. I need to list mine and make sure I think they all work. Great post.Carol Kilgorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15168273312704732896noreply@blogger.com