R.E. Donald
I've always been an avid reader (although I confess to finding less time for reading now than I used to) and have been particularly attracted to murder mysteries. I love the puzzle, and I love the satisfaction of solving the crime and seeing justice done. Since grade school, I've also had a compulsion to write - journals, poems, songs, stories - I've enjoyed it any type of writing I've tried.
In the 90s, I found myself drawn to a particular type of mystery novel, and tried to describe to myself why I enjoyed those novels more than others. When I began to write, it made sense that I would write the type of novel I love to read: multiple viewpoints, realistic characters with flaws and a personal life that sometimes distracts them from their goal, a complex plot with a challenging puzzle, and enough descriptive detail that I could be drawn right into the scene.
So now, in addition to reading mysteries to solve the puzzle, I get to work the puzzle backwards to figure out how best to create a challenging mystery.
In the 90s, I found myself drawn to a particular type of mystery novel, and tried to describe to myself why I enjoyed those novels more than others. When I began to write, it made sense that I would write the type of novel I love to read: multiple viewpoints, realistic characters with flaws and a personal life that sometimes distracts them from their goal, a complex plot with a challenging puzzle, and enough descriptive detail that I could be drawn right into the scene.
So now, in addition to reading mysteries to solve the puzzle, I get to work the puzzle backwards to figure out how best to create a challenging mystery.
More Answered Questions
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more