The thing about habits is many times they're so ingrained, it's almost impossible to change them. Not everyone wants to expend a conscious effort to break them.
If you're like me and many others, you follow similar patterns or habits each day. I usually get up, eat, walk the dog, and do other chores and activities within the same framework of time. I don't even change my menu much.
My living room drapes, kitchen curtains, and shades are always closed. My neighbor, who leaves hers open night and day, happened to mention that one of the other neighbors told her he knew when she went to bed each night. That made her nervous, since the one who mentioned it was a bit strange to begin with. Fortunately, he moved out of the neighborhood before any harm came to her.
In mysteries, we can use habits to our advantage. First, we can drop hints about certain habits the victims have, whether it be leaving for work or returning home around the same time, leaving the doors to the house unlocked, or leaving a car's motor running to warm it up, uncollected mail, or something as simple as always going shopping at a certain store at a certain time, and other tipoffs. Then we have the bad guy notice the habits and take advantage of them.
The bad guys also have habits, often called modus operandi. Those habits, which they sometimes do on purpose, but not always, can trip them up when they least expect it.
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Can you give an example of how habit plays a part in a book, either yours or someone else's?
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11 comments:
I always remember First mate Starbuck from Moby Dick carrying a cup of coffee in every scene. It's a habit for that character which makes an unforgettable image. So in my current series I gave my main character's best friend the habit of always carrying a travel mug of chai. She even accessorizes with the travel mug, matching the color of the mug to her outfit.
Mark, Great idea to make her distinctive!
Morgan Mandel
http://morgansbooklinks.blogspot.com
Great post, Morgan. Something to think about, for sure. I found a similar idea awhile ago and used it in my latest novel. Main character and some others should have some kind of tic (which is really a habit, as well, but more of a small, physical action, often unconscious), such as rubbing fingers together, touching a cheek, tapping a pen, and so forth. I found it's not that easy to come up with tics, but do think it was worth the effort.
Speaking of tics, I had one going on my right eyelid for the longest time. I think it was due to being at the computer too often. Once I varied my routine, it disappeared.
Morgan Mandel
http://morgansbooklinks.blogspot.com
Excellent post ... just what this long time fiction/mystery reader turned first time fiction/mystery writer needs for inspiration. Thank you, thank you ..
Fabulous post, Morgan. One of my older characters is prone to peering over her eyeglasses--especially when she's about to scold someone.
It's great the way writers are taking advantage of habits here.
Morgan Mandel
http://morgansbooklinks.blogspot.com
In my Rocky Bluff P.D. series, including No Bells, Detective Frank Marshall, who used to be a smoker, now chews gum endlessly. He also polishes his bald spot.
Marillyn
More great examples from Marilyn!
Morgan Mandel
http://morgansbooklinks.blogspot.com
In my WIP, my heroine has a habit of brushing her hand over her pocket. She carries a keepsake, passed down from her mom to her dad and now to her. This habit makes her feel safer when she encounters bad guys.
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