Secrets and things undisclosed is a quite
fascinating subject. The very fact that some of us would go to great lengths to discover
what someone else’s ‘secret’ is says it all - we hate to be kept in the
dark about anything! For there is something about the human psyche that makes people want to
make a secret un-secret! I guess it's about feeling that we are all operating on a level playing field (when actually, the reality is that we can never know everything!)
Whenever anyone says something is a secret there is a deep
longing - on the part of most of us – to know what that something is. It is an
almost irrepressible need to know – even when it is nothing to do with us. I
suppose it must be something to do with the nosey nature of human beings… But
the fact remains that calling something ‘secret’ gives it an allure all its
own.
That is why many stories that centre around hitherto untold
‘secrets’ can be so successful. I once read an article in a writing magazine
that stated that if you had the word secret in your title or back cover blurb
you would be bound to get more sales! I don’t know if that’s true but I do know
that many blurbs are written that hint at secrets waiting to be discovered in a
book’s pages. Readers love a good tale
with a ‘secret’ expertly handled and told in a convincing way. And there is
nothing more satisfying than finally discovering (often at the end of a good
story) what that secret is.
A secret can also be a good tool to use to maintain suspense
– especially if it’s hinted at the beginning but not stated – it leads to
guessing games on the part of the reader. So if for no other reason the reader
must read on to find out if they are right! Or even when the reader knows the secret but
the characters do not.
Secrets can be the main thread of a story or a titillating
subplot but whichever way they intrigue and fascinate which is exactly what you
need to keep readers turning pages!
Have you used a secret in your stories? Was it a big secret
(as in a main plot) or a side issue?
I have no secrets, and never use them. I guess secrets can be interesting in a plot, but when my children have secrets, I don't want to know.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
One of my favorite literary devices is the "unreliable narrator" who is keeping secrets from the reader while telling the story.
ReplyDeleteI have one manuscript where I attempted this. It's the one that attracted my agent, and although it is still unsold, I have hopes that its perfect time/form/venue is yet to come.
I've only ever written one story with the word secret in the title. I did sell it though so perhaps it's time for another one?
ReplyDelete