The Mystery of Readers
I recently listened to the 1914 mystery short story, Death at the Excelsior, by PG Wodehouse. I’d heard his name before, but hadn’t read any of his works.
Because the story was classified as a mystery, I expected all the elements of that genre. The story didn’t include them.
Yes, it had the “what happened”: a crime, an investigation, and a solution. And in the solution, it contained the “whodunit”. But there was also a deus ex machina I couldn’t have figured it out, and that didn’t play fair.
The story was also missing something my reader’s spirit feels is vital in story: I didn’t know who to root for. There wasn’t a character, or even characters, that I cared about enough to hope they’d succeed.
Every reader expects and longs for certain elements in a story when they read it. The story is pronounced “good” when those elements exist. And the story is declared “bad” when the elements aren’t there, or aren’t strong enough.
The Mystery of Authors
I wondered why such a well-known and successful author wouldn’t know about essential story elements.
I know as an author, I can understand the elements and still not have the skill to put them on paper.
So I investigated if this was one of Wodehouse’s earlier stories.
The mystery of the author was solved when I read biographical data about him.
He’s known as a humorist, and Death at the Excelsior is his one and only professionally-published mystery. His other works are different genres.
When I understood his intent was humor, and that the mystery was secondary to his primary purpose, I looked back at the story with a different perspective.
He intended to write humorous characters, and he succeeded.
But it reminded me that even if I succeed in my intentions in a story, I need to hone my craft and do my best to include the elements my readers’ spirits seek.
What story has all the elements you love?
The Mystery of Readers and Authors – What story has all the elements you love? Share on XJoni Vance is an award-winning author of fiction, essay, and poetry. She loves mystery, history, and how God reveals Himself every day.
May God reveal the mystery of His love in your life story.
I think for writers, the best story that has all the elements that they love, would be the story they write. And many times we don’t find the elements we are looking for in books from other writers, because we don’t know the author’s intent. Like in your example. That author was writing outside his normal genre and decided to do it humorously.
Great post!
Very interesting. Thank you, Joni.
I appreciated you digging a little deeper to uncover more information, Joni. Good post.
Joni, as an author and a reader, I found your post really interesting. Thanks for your insights!
Thanks for reading and sharing, Sandy. I’m glad my post was helpful.
Your example of Wodehouse underscores the warning that “authors who go outside their main genre do so at their own peril!”
Thanks, Tim. I understand, and many writers are better in one genre than another. I appreciate you commenting.