1. About this Newsletter 2. A Word from our Sponsor 3. Letter from the Editor 4. Editor's Picks 5. A Word from Writing.Com 6. Ask & Answer 7. Removal instructions
Quote for the week:
"Mystery spread its cloak across the sky.
We lost our way.
Shadows fell from trees.
They knew why."
~ From "House of Four Doors" by the Moody Blues
Timelines are very important when writing mysteries, just as they are for detectives investigating real life crimes.
Establishing what happened when is vitally important when checking to make sure alibis are sound. Accepting an incorrect version of the timeline could lead to charging an innocent person or letting a guilty person go free.
As you plot your story, you might want to make a timeline for yourself showing when each event happened and where each character was throughout the story. As well as any suspects, make sure you know where any victims or witnesses are at all times.
It can save you tons of rewriting if you make sure the timeline works out before you get too far. The only thing worse than having to rewrite to close a plot hole is finishing the story and having readers point out the faulty timeline.
This does not mean that you can't alter the timeline if you think of something that would work better. However, if you change one event, it is important to check to make sure it didn't throw the rest of the timeline off. Mystery readers love to try and figure things out, and they will notice any plot holes or errors in the timeline.
Something to try: Take a story you have already written and make sure the timeline is sound.
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Question for next time: What subjects would you like to see discussed in future mystery newsletters?
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Mystery: September 17, 2025 Issue [#13332]
