I am a fan of the mysterious element in a novel.
A big fan! HUGE!!!
I think there's something to be said for having something in your story that isn't known to the reader, something your reader might WANT to know, so he/she keeps turning the pages.
Yes, we need to have a likable main character, yes we need to have an interesting plot that makes sense, and yes we must have all of those other important things that make a story good.
BUT, why not have a mysterious something-something too? It adds to the tension, which is a good thing. A very good thing, in my opinion.
Here's what I've done in my own books:
I HEART YOU, YOU HAUNT ME - How did Jackson die? Why does Ava feel guilty about it?
FAR FROM YOU - Is Victoria dead or alive?
CHASING BROOKLYN - Why is Gabe haunting Brooklyn?
THE DAY BEFORE - What is going on with Cade?
But we can look at other books too:
13 REASONS WHY by Jay Asher - Why is Clay one of the reasons Hannah decided to end her life?
SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson - What exactly happened to Melinda?
LOOKING FOR ALASKA by John Green - What's going on with Alaska? And later, did she really ????? (in case you haven't read it, I won't be specific, but if you haven't read it, why the heck not!?)
My WIP has a few different mysterious elements. I don't know if I'm trying to do too much, but I'm hoping at the end, when it all comes together, it will be satisfying to the reader. Before that point, I realize I risk frustrating my reader. It's a fine line, I suppose.
What do you think? Do you think a mysterious element can add something special to a book? Do you think it's hard to pull off successfully?
I agree with you - absolutely. Great characters, good plot are needed, but "the mysterious element".....THAT is what keeps readers turning the pages. That is what grips them. I am a huge fan of the mysterious element, myself!
ReplyDeleteIsn't that why we read a story - to find out that something-something that has us hooked? Frustration is only when the conclusion comes along and the answer doesn't.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree, it is why I love to read. I love mysteries but I have to say that mysterious element in all stories just seals the 'wow' deal for me.
ReplyDeleteI thought the element in Far From You was great but my all time favourite is I heart you, you haunt me.
I love mysterious elements! But yes, it is a fine line between confusing readers and making them flip pages. I've confused a few critique partners in my time, for sure. :D
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