They would have been fine if they hadn't stopped to...
Mystery writing often hinges on setting the right mood. In movies, this is set by using lighting effects, music or silence, tone of voice, etc. But in writing, it can be a little harder to set the mood. Sometimes, mood is described as the emotions the reader feels when they are reading.
Try these ideas if you're stuck:
- Make a list of words that match the mood. Example: Mood- joyful, words- bright, sunshine, lighthearted, smile, beautiful. Mood- terrifying, words- deep, dank, slowly, creep, unseen.
- Read, or listen to a recording of, Edgar Allen Poe's "The Tell-tale Heart." This is a great example!
- Not sure where to start? Ask someone to give you a setting...such as a beach house, an 18th century cellar, Texas.
