Mystery Mixed Bag

The detective story is a kind of intellectual game. It is more — it is a sporting event. And for the writing of detective stories there are very definite laws — unwritten, perhaps, but none the less binding; and every respectable and self-respecting concocter of literary mysteries lives up to them. Herewith, then, is a sort Credo, based partly on the practice of all the great writers of detective stories, and partly on the promptings of the honest author's inner conscience.  S.S. Van Dine in American Magazine, 1928.

So there are rules to this mystery-writing game I'm playing.  Not surprising, as I always knew that mysteries followed a kind of formula, and I have to admit, it's a relief to know that I do have a guide to go by as I pen my first mystery.  If you would like the original list of Twenty Rules for Writing Detective Stories go to the nifty website Gaslight. 

Flash Fiction Friday's story prompt this week is in honor of August's blue moon.  I have gone so many times to FFF to play along, but I always give up on the story or just forget that I actually started a story on Monday to be posted on Friday, but this time I am going to try my best to get a few words down that might resemble what some would consider a story--a mystery story.  Maybe it won't be so hard if I follow Van Dine's rules.  And the moon can be so mysterious ... especially a blue moon.  Sounds right for a mysteriophile like me.

I might make a game out of it.  Begin a new mystery story starting with this weeks prompt, and every week after, add a bit more to the story using the FFF prompt.  The word count is limited to 1300.  In  twelve weeks I would have over 15000 words.  Am I challenging myself?  Maybe.  The deadline is Wednesday.  Guess I'd better get started.