Making a Murderer: M. Ullrich Edition

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Making a Murderer: M. Ullrich Edition

Blog posts do not come easily for me and I’m fairly certain I’ve started each and every one with a similar sentiment. I’m going to come out and announce that I suffer from something called ‘self-doubt-itis’, which is often linked to ‘people-don’t-care-what-you-have-to-say-cinoma’. But after returning from yet another trip to Provincetown for Women’s Week, I learned that some people would like to know more about me and my writing process. More specifically, how the hell I managed to write a character as deranged and creepy as Bradley Richter.

Overall, I’m a kind person. I love to make people laugh and I enjoy knowing I can brighten up someone’s day by just being me. I’m a huge fan of pop music, the bubblier and bouncy the better, and I adore flowers. Animals, no matter their size/shape/hairiness, make me melt on the spot. When a dog or cat does that thing where they lay their head on you? Consider me mush. I save bugs because I feel terrible killing them and I always get emotionally attached to plants…and become overwhelmed with guilt when I inevitably kill them. The point I’m trying to make is while I’m not a perpetual optimist, I am a big softie that wants everyone/everything to be happy and surrounded by love at all times even if that isn’t realistic.

So here I present to you my step-by-step guide to making a murderer out of a walking rainbow.

Step 1: Make Yourself Uncomfortable.

I do not like writing bad people. Even the villains in most of my stories are only in a bad spot due to their circumstances. For some authors, it’s very difficult to write unlikable characters, but in situations like this the character has to move beyond unlikable and straight into H-A-T-E territory. The woman who stirs up unnecessary drama just to keep herself entertained? Unlikable. A sociopath who stalks his ex and kills people? Hate that guy.

Step 2: If You Think You Went Too Far, You Still Have Further to Go.

Push your limits, baby. Don’t second-guess your character and believe in the effectiveness of their development. But let’s not get carried away, either, and try to shove every twisted idea into one character. Let the lunacy unravel naturally and do not be afraid to make it weird.

Step 3: When You’re a Little Too Happy, Turn on Criminal Minds.

Generally speaking, being in a very good/happy mood isn’t a problem, but it definitely is if you need to write about a very bad person doing very bad things. Need to get dark? Find whatever it is that helps you get into that mindset and immerse yourself in it. Binge watch that show. Read that book. Turn on the ID channel. Whatever it takes. But make sure you know when enough is enough. We don’t want you dulling your shine.

Step 4: Put Yourself in the Reader’s Shoes.

What’s your ultimate goal as a writer? To make your reader feel. Take into consideration what they want. Are you an avid reader as well as a writer? Forget about writing for a minute and tap into your reader brain. So many answers lie within.

Step 5: Put Yourself in the Victim’s Shoes.

This step may not be the best if you’re easily spooked, but it does work. Imagine you’re the victim and picture/feel what it would take to make your skin crawl. Will you hear the attacker or criminal breathing? Are their footsteps following you? Did they leave a message behind just for you? This step plays well with step one. Make yourself uncomfortable.