Serious Wednesday: Clues

There are clues, then there are clues. 

We're talking clues today for the mystery writer. 

Did you know there are different types of clues? 

Here's some of them:

• Physical clues. These can range from fingerprints to DNA evidence. This is a scientific process. Think Sherlock Holmes or forensic or pathologists.

• Verbal clues. What is said or not said. What would only the suspect say or not say, have known? Decoding verbal clues is a psychological/sociological process similar to how Miss Marple, Poirot, or private detectives would use it.

• Thematic clues. Pointers from the experience of reading, such as someone who dresses all in black (the villain, of course), a stormy night that signals danger, a butler who is either invisible (always unnoticed), guilty or innocent (who knows??)--all simply because he's the butler. 

While the first two types of clues will influence the detective, all three will affect the reader's experience of the story.

Clues enlighten readers and clues confuse them.

Hopefully more later!