Motives?

TracyR · Mar 9, 2008

I've been told that my killer's motives are not strong enough for murder. I know she did it, because she told me she did!

Can you help me figure out WHY?

What motives are there for murder? (I know - they're endless, but I would appreciate your help brainstorming.)

Thanks!
Tracy

IHeartWriting · Mar 9, 2008

Who told you that they're not strong enough? If it's the opinion of just one person, you may want to reconsider revamping your story.

If you turn on the news, it seems that no reason is to small to commit murder. Hang in there!

TracyR · Mar 9, 2008

It was actually an editor who told me the motive wasn't strong enough, in a four-page evaluation/rejection. Sort of one of those "good rejections."

Dale Emery · Mar 9, 2008

TracyR said:
I've been told that my killer's motives are not strong enough for murder. I know she did it, because she told me she did!

Can you help me figure out WHY?

What does your character say when you ask her why?

Imagine a point just before your character commits the murder. Then ask her: If you murder this person, what will that do for you?

Her answer is a motive. It's probably a surface motive, and and may or may not seem "strong enough." But there's a way to search for deeper motives.

Whatever her answer is, ask: And what would that do for you?

And whatever she answers to that question, ask: And what would that do for you?

Keep asking the question until you sense strong emotion, either from your character or in your own feelings.

Dale

Mumut · Mar 9, 2008

Sometimes it's not so much the motive but the state of mind of the murderer. Was she taunted by the murderee? Was she on medication? Was she so upset by other circumstances that she just lost the plot.

Also, I believe there is a narrow difference between the legal definition of infantacide and pesticide. I'd happily kill some of the little brats in supermatkets who yell when I'm enjoying a substantial headache.

writin52 · Mar 9, 2008

What about 'em?

TracyR said:
I've been told that my killer's motives are not strong enough for murder. I know she did it, because she told me she did!

Can you help me figure out WHY?

What motives are there for murder? (I know - they're endless, but I would appreciate your help brainstorming.)

Thanks!
Tracy

Well, Tracy as you say, motives for murder are probably endless. Love, hate, money, fame, envy, rage, revenge are just some of the ones I've used What was your character's motive? I'd like to see the full comment that editor made re weak motive. :Hug2:

Lawfire · Mar 9, 2008

What are the motives that weren't strong enough? A person could kill for almost any reason in the right circumstances.

Horseshoes · Mar 10, 2008

Whatever the motive you're using, show it supported in other conduct. Ex, if it's a jealousy spur-of-the-moment murder, have a char who knows the person recount the time she did something similar, but lesser. Keyed someone's car because the driver made flirted w/ x. If it's a revenge killing, there was that time the char stole mail the aggrieved person was expecting. Having your murderer behave out of the murder motive in other ways can bolster that credibility that s/he'll off someone for that motive.
But again, what's the motive you used?

TracyR · Mar 10, 2008

The killer's motive was two-fold - both victims were her bankers, who turned her down for a home loan and a business loan. She wanted to be respected and liked as she saw the home- and business-owners in town were respected. She didn't "get" that it was more than their ownership that caused the respect, she just thought that was her way of getting it, and when she was turned down by the first banker, and actually laughed at, ridiculed, and insulted by the second banker, she killed them.

Thanks for all of your help and suggestions. They're GREAT and helping me tremendously.

kg_crow · Mar 10, 2008

First, IMHO, bankers are conservative people. It doesn't sound likely that professionals would ridicule an applicant to her face—and certainly not in front of others.

Has your character been ridiculed in the past enough to drive her to such a desperate act? Perhaps you need to pound home the reasons this would be a logical step for her.

Murder is a last resort. A realistic character needs to try several other paths before murder becomes the 'only choice left.'

Unless she's nuts.

Lawfire · Mar 11, 2008

I agree with the above poster that a mental illness approach would be logical with what you have so far.

Another approach might be one of desperation. What if she needed a home lone to get a place for her family to live, or the business loan save a failing family store? What if those two banks were the only ones in town? They both rejected her, she feels trapped, desperate, thinks that if she kills the managers, their replacements will approve the loan(s). If you exaggerated a situation like that it may provide a stronger motive.

Tedium · Mar 11, 2008

TracyR said:
The killer's motive was two-fold - both victims were her bankers, who turned her down for a home loan and a business loan. She wanted to be respected and liked as she saw the home- and business-owners in town were respected. She didn't "get" that it was more than their ownership that caused the respect, she just thought that was her way of getting it, and when she was turned down by the first banker, and actually laughed at, ridiculed, and insulted by the second banker, she killed them.

Thanks for all of your help and suggestions. They're GREAT and helping me tremendously.

Sounds like a black comedy, maybe.

As everyone has been telling you up until now, the motives for murder are endless. In a world where gang members will shoot someone for looking at them wrong, I don't think you need a "traditional" motive.

Take a look at your story. Have you explained her mindset and emotional state well enough? Maybe the scenario you stated was too far-fetched for the editor. You may need to re-package the story for clarity and mass consumption.

IceCreamEmpress · Mar 11, 2008

TracyR said:
The killer's motive was two-fold - both victims were her bankers, who turned her down for a home loan and a business loan. She wanted to be respected and liked as she saw the home- and business-owners in town were respected. She didn't "get" that it was more than their ownership that caused the respect, she just thought that was her way of getting it, and when she was turned down by the first banker, and actually laughed at, ridiculed, and insulted by the second banker, she killed them.

That sounds like something that someone with a mental illness or profound personality disorder would do, but not something that most people would do.

Have you read White Oleander by Janet Fitch? The mother in that book acts in ways that most people would find inexplicable because of her personality disorder. And then there's always American Psycho.

I think if you make it believable that your character is unhinged enough that SHE would find this a logical thing to do, then the readers will not be put off by the illogic of the motivation.

TracyR · Mar 18, 2008

Thanks so much to all of you - your advice and questions have helped me more than you realize.

DWSTXS · Mar 18, 2008

lots of murders are committed without any motive.

In the State of Texas for instance, a prosecutor doesn't have to prove motive, or show that there was a motive at all, to get a conviction.

Obviously, in writing, it makes it more interesting to show motive. Jealousy, revenge, pure hatred, financial gain, religious fanaticism, politics, sex, drugs...

RJK · Mar 28, 2008

In one homicide I investigated, two men were arguing, add generous amounts of alcohol, an insult and a thin skin. One man said "Don't call me that again or I'll kill you."
The other man repeated the insult. The first man went home, got his rifle, came back and shot his former friend and neighbor through the eye.

Motive enough?

TracyR · Mar 28, 2008

In one homicide I investigated, two men were arguing, add generous amounts of alcohol, an insult and a thin skin. One man said "Don't call me that again or I'll kill you."
The other man repeated the insult. The first man went home, got his rifle, came back and shot his former friend and neighbor through the eye.

Wow. What a tragedy.

This conversation has been tremendously helpful. With just a slight tweak, I was able to add blackmail into the mix - almost like it was waiting for it all along.

Thanks so much for all your ideas and help!

Motives?

TracyR

IHeartWriting

Lurking in the shadows

TracyR

Dale Emery

is way off topic

Mumut

Well begun is half done...

writin52

Lawfire

New Old Guy or Old New Guy

Horseshoes

lisapreston.com

TracyR

kg_crow

Please hold your applause

Lawfire

New Old Guy or Old New Guy

Tedium

Le sigh.

IceCreamEmpress

Hapless Virago

TracyR

DWSTXS

Mr Mojo Risin...

RJK

Sheriff Bullwinkle the Poet says:

TracyR