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IWW
Practice-W Exercise Archives
Exercise: Detective Work
These exercises were written
by IWW members
and administrators to provide structured practice opportunities for its
members.
You are welcome to use them for practice as well. Please mention that
you found
them at the Internet Writers Workshop
(http://www.internetwritingworkshop.org/).
Prepared by: Charles Hightower
Posted on: 25 September 2011
Reposted on: 6 January 2013
Reposted on: 27 July 2014
Reposted on: 23 March 2016
Reposted on: 01 April 2018
Reposted on: 13 September 2020
Reposted on: 12 September 2021
Reposted on: 4 February 2024
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Exercise: In 400 words, provide a scene where you introduce us to a
detective of your own invention. You might show the detective at a
crime scene, interrogating a suspect, or interviewing a witness. Your
goal is to build a character we'll want to follow into intrigue or danger.
Be sure to show, rather than tell us about the character.
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Many of us have read our share of detective novels. You'll often find
a few among the bestsellers for any given year. In a great many book
series, television shows, and movies, a detective with ordinary human
frailties struggles to bring a culprit to justice.
Lieutenant Colombo is a quirky, likable fellow that criminals often
underestimate. Special Agent Pendergast seems a throwback to the
19th century. Alex Cross is a psychologist, always trying to outthink
his quarry. Lucas Davenport is a bare-knuckled brawler, sometimes
willing to overstep the law. Brenda Leigh Johnson is skilled in
trapping murderers in a web of their own lies. Each has a different
style and manner of conducting business.
Your detective might be a law officer, a private investigator, or even
a citizen who is swept into the role. You might demonstrate how he
or she interacts with peers, clients, suspects, or witnesses. Their
behavior in return may provide insight into how the character is
perceived, and therefore guides us in our initial perception.
What might we glean from dress, manner, grooming, and dialogue?
What clues might indicate his or her motivations? Does the
character appear to be lawful, sleazy, or somewhere in-between?
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In your critique, tell the author whether a believable character
of interest has been crafted, and explain why you feel that way.
Would you want to continue reading about the character and the
investigation? What could be done to strengthen the writing or to
improve the reading experience?
Web site created by
Rhéal Nadeau and
the administrators of the Internet Writing Workshop.
Modified by Gayle Surrette.
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