B.K. Stevens
Conflict, we know, lies at the heart of fiction. That seems especially true of mystery fiction, where conflict usually leads to crime. But it’s not always possible or appropriate to open a mystery with a moment of intense conflict. Sometimes, I think, it’s more effective to begin with a quiet scene that drops hints about conflicts to come. And if our characters are so engaging that readers both expect and dread the conflict, that can be a good way to keep them turning pages.
This was really interesting, Bonnie. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Barb. Glad you enjoyed it.
Nice to read details about the hints well planted from the beginning. I know it all came together for me at the end of the story. I started seeing possible “things to come” ahead of time too. A story deserving of many awards.
Thanks so much for your kind words, Linda. I’m glad the story came together for you at the end, and I’m also glad that you saw some things coming ahead of time, too. If the ending of a story is a complete surprise to the reader, it probably means the writer hasn’t played fair.