Shh ... Secrets

Have you ever wanted to write like Agatha Christie?  The twist and turns and surprise endings are so captivating.  Hallie Ephron (The Secret is in the Secret, The Writer, July 2012, pp. 27-29) expressed what so many mystery writers feel, a desire to follow in Agatha Christie's footsteps when crafting your own mysteries.

At first it appears that by adding hints and misdirection this can be accomplished.  But Hallie Ephron points out that it is really in the secrets that people hold, and how those are revealed that a great mystery is built.  A secret kept means people acting in suspicious ways, a secret revealed sheds light on the situation and brings in a whole new set of suspects.  She says, "I've discovered that if I let the characters and their secrets drive the plot, the clues and red herrings take care of themselves." (pg. 27)

I have paid attention to this and found it incredibly insightful.  But, I am learning, it is not just for the mystery novel.  I recently finished reading Emma, by Jane Austen.  What makes it interesting is the secrets kept and revealed.  (Spoil alert: if you haven't read it and intend on doing so, stop now.)  Secret #1: A would-be- suitor for Emma's friend, Harriett, is actually in love with Emma.  This puts the friends in a tailspin.  Matters are further complicated when the shunned suitor returns from vacation married to an insufferable woman.  Secret #2: A secret engagement, when revealed, casts everything in a new light: people's actions towards each other, an apparent cold shoulder, etc.  It once again changes the dynamics of the story.   Secret #3:  Harriet reveals her latest crush which leads to a different kind of secret.  Secret #4:  Emma realizes that she has secretly been in love with that same man, only she had kept the secret from herself!  Secret #5 (a two-for-one deal): All is well, because Harriet has actually never fallen out of love with her would-be-suitor from the beginning of the story (not previously mentioned here), AND, he still loves her despite her previous rejection.

Wow!  There is the whole story laid out in the secrets kept and the secrets revealed.  So, as a writer, can you keep a secret?  Hopefully not for too long.