Just to make this clear, these are reasons why I write this genre, not why everyone does or should.
I decided to look up what Mystery books were and here’s what I discovered.
Something not understood; a piece of fiction dealing usually with the solution of a mysterious crime.
I have to say that is a pretty good definition. When I first started writing, I never really thought I’d write mysteries. At least not many. But I’ve found that I end up writing them quite frequently. However, while I may write mysteries, I don’t write “cozy mysteries.”
- I don’t know the ending This is honestly the biggest reason. I am not a planner, so when I start a story, most of the time I have no idea where it is going. This can make for a fun ride. Sometimes the story is just a little bit of a mystery, other times I’m still wondering what is going on as I write my way through it.
- Christian Mysteries Needed Mysteries are a genre that don’t have a lot of real Christian books. Oh, they might be called Christian, and the character might pray now and then when they have nothing left to do, but I wanted to write mysteries where Christianity was a part of the story and the lives of the characters, not just tacked on or sprinkled in here and there to give it a “Christian” name.
- Real Life I don’t know about you, but many of the mystery books I’ve read are so far fetched it’s laughable. Yes, they might be fun to read, but I wanted real stories. Stories that sound like they could have happened to real people.
- Actual Cases It is so much fun when I can take real stories from real cases and turn them into a mystery book. Mystery at Random is based on an actual police case. The Graham Quartet and the Mystery of the Day Maid is based on a real FBI case.
- Portray Police and Law with Honor I get so tired of books where the police are dumb or treated with contempt. Where the average citizen is smarted and better at tracking down clues and finding the bad guy than those trained in criminal analysis and all such things.
Do you enjoy reading mysteries? Have you ever written a mystery story? Why do you write or read mystery books? Would you like to know why I write other kinds of stories? Oh, by the way, if you want to read a fun interview with me, head over to Kate’s blog. (She also has a giveaway!)
I enjoy hearing why you choose to write certain types of books! I’ve started somewhat of a mystery story…really I guess it’s more adventure. I have read some of your mysteries and enjoyed that they are Christian and not dark or creepy! I like the Farm Mystery series, too, as you know. 🙂 Other than yours and those, I really haven’t read mysteries because I don’t like most types. I’ve read a few of the Box Car Children books. That’s great that some of yours have been based on true life stories! 😀
I’m glad you’ve enjoyed them. I’ve read and enjoyed the Farm Mystery series too. 🙂
This is a little bit of a random question, but do you know of anywhere you can read Jessie Wells by Isabella Alden other than Amazon?
It looks like you can get the kindle book a few different places: https://www.fictiondb.com/title/jessie-wells~isabella-alden~915016.htm
I don’t see it anywhere else.
Oh, thank you! I’ll look at the link!
You’re welcome!
Whoops…said it didn’t go through *apologies if the comment appears twice*.
Anyway, mysteries are so much fun! I usually read middle-grade mysteries, and I’d like to try writing one someday. It’s so much fun to try to figure out who did it before the end of the book (or movie. My family and I really enjoy watching Hallmark’s mystery movies.)
I haven’t seen a duplicate, Lillian, so I guess the other comment didn’t go through. 🙂
Yes, trying to figure out the who and why and such in mystery books is fun. It’s fun to try all the possibilities when I’m writing a mystery and trying to figure it out.
Oh good to hear lol.
Yes! They’re like fun puzzles that you’re trying piece together.
Hope you have a lovely Sunday 🙂