having trouble with my story

doomwdfortune · 11-24-2012, 07:51 AM

what i wanted to do is have my story start 1 year after my detective catches a serial killer. this past case is meant to be part of her back story and something shes still recovering from. the problem is the main mystery is completely unrelated to her previous and I'm worried people will feel like the missed a previous book.

WillSauger · 11-24-2012, 07:58 AM

Start earlier.

doomwdfortune · 11-24-2012, 08:34 AM

the idea i had for the main story thought was that she was working another serial case if i start earlier like 5 or 6 months after. would it be believable for their to be another serial killer

WillSauger · 11-24-2012, 08:42 AM

Depends on the environment. A city full of crime would have several serial killers active at the same time. You don't hear everything going on in a city from the news.

doomwdfortune · 11-24-2012, 08:54 AM

not sure id say Boston is any more crime ridden then any other big city

Dgullen · 11-24-2012, 12:32 PM

Hi, my first thought is if the earlier case is unrelated to the story why refer to it explicitly? It sounds like it's the aftermath of the case that's the thing you're interested in rather than the particular case, so you could have her on sabatical/shore leave, putting her life back together and getting pulled back in with minimal explanation - the readers will fill in the details for you.
Maybe you just need to tunnel down a bit and find out what exactly it is your interested in about her current emotional/physical/life state as a precursor to this story.

I don't think tw serial killers close together is unworkable. IMHO, an 'Oh my God there's two of them' moment could work well at the start or the end of a story.

GailD · 11-24-2012, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dgullen

I don't think tw serial killers close together is unworkable. IMHO, an 'Oh my God there's two of them' moment could work well at the start or the end of a story.

I agree. I watched a documentary last night about two serial killers operating at the same time, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. One was caught several months after the other.

And how big a city is Baton Rouge?

jaksen · 11-24-2012, 10:28 PM

I'd find it interesting - a detective still recovering from what she learned catching the first serial killer? She'd obviously think back now and then - small flashbacks, nothing too heavy or info-dumpy - would give readers insight to her methods, her mindset, and tantalize them with pieces of the first one she caught.

I'd go with it. I think it's a great idea.

ironmikezero · 11-24-2012, 11:07 PM

If it's only a year since your MC arrested the last serial killer, it wouldn't be unusual for that case to finally be coming to trial. Court scheduling is fraught with delays (pre-trial motions, court ordered psych evaluations, etc.). As the lead investigator/arresting officer, she has to testify at the trial; that gives you ample opportunity to weave some pertinent exposition into your tale.

GailD - Baton Rouge is considered a small-to-medium size city of about 80 sq miles (approx 800,00 pop in the metropolitan area).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baton_Rouge,_Louisiana

doomwdfortune · 11-24-2012, 11:11 PM

that's something i never thought of thank you for the idea ironmikezero

Susan Littlefield · 11-26-2012, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doomwdfortune

what i wanted to do is have my story start 1 year after my detective catches a serial killer. this past case is meant to be part of her back story and something shes still recovering from. the problem is the main mystery is completely unrelated to her previous and I'm worried people will feel like the missed a previous book.

If her current case is completely unrelated to the previous case, what is the significance of putting it in your story?

Quote:

the idea i had for the main story thought was that she was working another serial case if i start earlier like 5 or 6 months after. would it be believable for their to be another serial killer

Sure there would. But, it needs to be tied in with the current story.

I am not sure I'm completely following you, but I'll give it a try. I think there has to be some kind of a connection between the two serial killers, and the MC investigating serial killers is not enough. Maybe the most current serial killer is a copy cat, or even an apprentice, if you will, of the current serial killer.

defyalllogic · 11-26-2012, 07:34 AM

Watch season one of Luther (BBC, staring Idris Elba). He's a detective and the season opens (and deals with) with him still sorting through the repercussions of his last big case.

doomwdfortune · 11-29-2012, 02:54 AM

[QUOTE=Susan Littlefield;7765747]If her current case is completely unrelated to the previous case, what is the significance of putting it in your story?

it was mostly suppose to be her back story, to show who she is and how she got their. and maybe set up a future story

onesecondglance · 11-29-2012, 12:57 PM

I see absolutely nothing wrong with your character's backstory not being related to their current case. Just go ahead and write it.

lizmonster · 11-29-2012, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onesecondglance

I see absolutely nothing wrong with your character's backstory not being related to their current case. Just go ahead and write it.

Yes, this.

You really don't know how it's going to go until you start getting it down (well, at least I never do!). You may find it works beautifully. You may find it mostly works, and needs some reworking after it's drafted. You may find you can't make it work at all, and you want to start over with something else.

The act of writing it is worthwhile, no matter where you start.

11-24-2012, 07:51 AM	#1
doomwdfortune practical experience, FTW Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 112	having trouble with my story what i wanted to do is have my story start 1 year after my detective catches a serial killer. this past case is meant to be part of her back story and something shes still recovering from. the problem is the main mystery is completely unrelated to her previous and I'm worried people will feel like the missed a previous book. __________________ If you can't beat them, arrange to have them beaten. -- George Carlin i love bullies they have such big, shiny red buttons to push

11-24-2012, 07:58 AM	#2
WillSauger (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻ Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 3,892	Start earlier. __________________ Don't Fear Failure. "The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn" -- Alvin Toffler.

11-24-2012, 08:34 AM	#3
doomwdfortune practical experience, FTW Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 112	the idea i had for the main story thought was that she was working another serial case if i start earlier like 5 or 6 months after. would it be believable for their to be another serial killer __________________ If you can't beat them, arrange to have them beaten. -- George Carlin i love bullies they have such big, shiny red buttons to push

11-24-2012, 08:42 AM	#4
WillSauger (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻ Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 3,892	Depends on the environment. A city full of crime would have several serial killers active at the same time. You don't hear everything going on in a city from the news. __________________ Don't Fear Failure. "The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn" -- Alvin Toffler.

11-24-2012, 08:54 AM	#5
doomwdfortune practical experience, FTW Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 112	not sure id say Boston is any more crime ridden then any other big city __________________ If you can't beat them, arrange to have them beaten. -- George Carlin i love bullies they have such big, shiny red buttons to push

11-24-2012, 12:32 PM	#6
Dgullen Ustom Ser Itle Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Near London, UK Posts: 115	Hi, my first thought is if the earlier case is unrelated to the story why refer to it explicitly? It sounds like it's the aftermath of the case that's the thing you're interested in rather than the particular case, so you could have her on sabatical/shore leave, putting her life back together and getting pulled back in with minimal explanation - the readers will fill in the details for you. Maybe you just need to tunnel down a bit and find out what exactly it is your interested in about her current emotional/physical/life state as a precursor to this story. I don't think tw serial killers close together is unworkable. IMHO, an 'Oh my God there's two of them' moment could work well at the start or the end of a story.

11-24-2012, 10:28 PM	#8
jaksen Caped Codder Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: In MA, USA, across from a 17th century cemetery Posts: 3,957	I'd find it interesting - a detective still recovering from what she learned catching the first serial killer? She'd obviously think back now and then - small flashbacks, nothing too heavy or info-dumpy - would give readers insight to her methods, her mindset, and tantalize them with pieces of the first one she caught. I'd go with it. I think it's a great idea. __________________ Just sold Story No. 28! To EQMM! I am so happy. (New grandson, too. Life is good. ) Eeyore was saying to himself, “This writing business. Pencils and what-not. Over-rated if you ask me. Silly stuff. Nothing in it.” A.A. Milne

11-24-2012, 11:07 PM	#9
ironmikezero practical experience, FTW Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: LA & TX Posts: 636	If it's only a year since your MC arrested the last serial killer, it wouldn't be unusual for that case to finally be coming to trial. Court scheduling is fraught with delays (pre-trial motions, court ordered psych evaluations, etc.). As the lead investigator/arresting officer, she has to testify at the trial; that gives you ample opportunity to weave some pertinent exposition into your tale. GailD - Baton Rouge is considered a small-to-medium size city of about 80 sq miles (approx 800,00 pop in the metropolitan area). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baton_Rouge,_Louisiana Last edited by ironmikezero; 11-24-2012 at 11:14 PM.

11-24-2012, 11:11 PM	#10
doomwdfortune practical experience, FTW Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 112	that's something i never thought of thank you for the idea ironmikezero __________________ If you can't beat them, arrange to have them beaten. -- George Carlin i love bullies they have such big, shiny red buttons to push

11-26-2012, 07:34 AM	#12
defyalllogic i'm a girl. (i have tendonitis) Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,423	Watch season one of Luther (BBC, staring Idris Elba). He's a detective and the season opens (and deals with) with him still sorting through the repercussions of his last big case. __________________ I have twitter, if you care... Obsessed with the apocalypse in all its trivial detail

11-29-2012, 02:54 AM	#13
doomwdfortune practical experience, FTW Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 112	[QUOTE=Susan Littlefield;7765747]If her current case is completely unrelated to the previous case, what is the significance of putting it in your story? it was mostly suppose to be her back story, to show who she is and how she got their. and maybe set up a future story __________________ If you can't beat them, arrange to have them beaten. -- George Carlin i love bullies they have such big, shiny red buttons to push

11-29-2012, 12:57 PM	#14
onesecondglance pretending to be awake Join Date: May 2012 Location: Berkshire, UK Posts: 2,128	I see absolutely nothing wrong with your character's backstory not being related to their current case. Just go ahead and write it. __________________ Λrchangel: near-future SF noir \| 95,053 (bottle conditioning like homebrewed beer) Bleed Through: post-apocalyptic parallel universe vampire action horror superhero thriller (this description clearly needs more adjectives; suggestions welcome) I write music. \| I gave in and joined twitter. \| And I have a blog too.

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