This was part of a creative challenge a few years ago … we
were given nine words to be included into a ‘story’ of 100 words … I ended up
writing a mystery – and then as is the way – the other participants asked Who had done it?
I hadn’t set out to do this … but this is what happened …
obviously the detective will need some time to work out who dun it!! … and so that post will appear in a week to ten days …
as there are a couple of other posts to get up first.
The words to be used were …
- Timothy; Rena and Jerome
- A Fly
- Magnitude
- Typography
- Death
- Closet
- Swell
 |
| No Miss Scarlett is alive and well - nor was the revolver used and we know Timothy died in the Closet (the new room) |
Cluedo (Clue in North America) is a murder mystery board
game for 3 – 6 players … many of you will have heard of it, played it and at
least probably know the characters.
6 suspects:
- Miss Scarlett
- Professor Plum
- Mrs Peacock
- Reverent Green
- Colonel Mustard
- Mrs White
Weapons:
- Candlestick
- Dagger/Knife
- Lead Pipe
- Revolver
- Rope
- Spanner/Wrench
Rooms in the mansion where the murder can take place: and, of course, I see the image I selected doesn't match the names we use in the British version of the game - sorreee!
- Kitchen
- Ballroom
- Conservatory
- Billiard Room
- Library
- Study
- Lounge
- Hall
- Dining Room
- “Cellar” – where the cards are hidden with the answer
The deck of cards … one of each type is selected and hidden –
the aim is to deduce the details of the murder … by rolling the dice and having
the opportunity to collect clues …. there are apparently 324 possibilities …
My version follows along similar lines – the setting gives
you the idea – with a ‘new room’:
A
Cluedo Mystery … Who Done It?
The fly buzzed around Timothy, death
was not far away; the swell of the closet curtains in the evening breeze showed
the air circulating, keeping it fresh for now.
Rena and Jerome worked happily on
with their typography, the magnitude of their father’s project keeping them
fully involved – forgetting about his ‘temporary’ absence.
Joe, the typesetter, Amanda, the
glyph modifier, Andrew, the art director, worked nearby. Cluedo has a new room,
new death and new murderer. Who murdered Timothy in the closet with a
typesetter’s lead-based alloy?
 |
| Looks pretty real to me - but I sure hope not! |
One of the characters murdered Timothy, but how and with
what … we know it happened in a ‘new room’ … but the story idea is based on Cluedo – though there’s a Hilary twist (there is a clue though) …
So none of the story characters actually killed Timothy, who died in the Closet ... one of the Cluedo characters using one of the weapons contain the key ...
 |
| Well we know it's not the dining room, nor the revolver ... the dice is not a weapon ... |
This took me out of my comfort zone … but I enjoyed the
experience of writing the 94 word plot, devising a story around the nine word
prompts … others participated – but I can’t find the blog posts any more …
... and
thought I’d like to get it onto my blog … with the story answer to follow shortly ...
Any ideas??
The few of you who read this just over four years ago .... pretty please don't tell!! Thank you.
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
45 comments:
It's always great to get outside of your comfort zone and try something new.
I loved how you twisted the words. The final sentence was my favorite.
I thought the Blogger Archives kept all our blog posts unless we deleted them. I'm at a loss as far as reading it before, since I don't think I discovered you until the 2012 A to Z Challenge. I have played Clue when our girls were younger, so hope you find it.
Otherwise will look forward to any further posts on this mystery within a mystery. . .
@ Crystal - thanks .. I was driving across the south coast then, so had time to think of the story and how it the murder was done ...
@ DG - it's on another blogger's blog - but not a Blogspot one ...
So I have the answer ready to be rolled out ... I wrote it in 2009.
Cheers to you both .. just clarifying DG's query ... Hilary
DON'T STOP NOW! Love it and can't wait for it to go onward.
You have me intrigued....I love mysteries and Clue is one of my families favorite game.
I absolutely adore all kinds of murder mysteries, so many in fact, that I mix up events and characters...
Will stay tuned...
Ooh I love me a game of Cluedo! Sounds like you had fun trying something different, I will await the next instalment with intrigue.
Thanks for visiting my blog, Hilary.
Sounds like a fun writing project you have. Good luck with it.
One of my favorite games when I was a kid. I always wanted to be Miss Scarlet. :)
What a neat writing prompt.
I am having all kinds of troubles with commenting lately.
I am totally useless at this type of problem. Clever of you to write a story like that. I will wait to see your answer and how you figured it out.
That's very good. I won't play Clue unless I can be Miss Scarlett. Unfortunately, my children were my fellow players of games, and they've grown up and left me.
Love,
Janie
I'm no good at those kinds of challenges. What a cool idea you did with it. I hope you share the answer soon :)
Oh, my... that does take me back. Hm... I think we have a Clue game at home...
Gads, has it been 4 years already! It's good to get out of your comfort zone on occasion. This was fun, Hilary.
@ Teresa - thanks very much .. delighted you'll be happy to read the final instalment.
@ Paula - we didn't play Cluedo often - but it's a fun family game ..
@ Rosaria - I do too .. and am sure I do the same as you - muddle all the characters and setting up.
@ Suzanne - I had time to think while I drove across .. so came up with this idea
@ Mary - good to see you here and this was different .. especially drafting the 'answer'
@ Luanna - I think Miss Scarlett would entice many a young lady .. and it was great fun to concoct a story line around the 9 words.
@ Jo - I have to say sometimes I hit snags too .. not sure what it is or why commenting and other aspects aren't flowing easily.
Well it's not my forte .. but basing it around the Cluedo formula made life somewhat simpler ...
@ Janie - another Miss Scarlett ... and yes if we don't have kids around these games of our youth don't get used much
@ Jeanne - nor am I: but because I was driving I thought I'd give it a go ..
@ Diana - yes .. it is one of our childhood games isn't it; and I still have a board here ..
@ Joylene - yes four years and two more .. so it's been a while ... and it is good to get out of my comfort zone.
Cheers everyone .. on with the mystery and sleuthing!! Hilary
Rena and Jerome are clearly in on it, but I reckon it was Andrew who actually dun nit.
Brilliant Hilary, Have you thought about turning it into a novel. Everyone loves a good mystery.
This may take off and become larger. I seem to get in moods for mysteries and often read all an author wrote.
Such fun. Now you have me thinking all sorts of things. Looking forward to reading more.
From what I have heard about that Timothy he has been trying to come out of the closet for quite a long time!
CLICK HERE for Bazza’s fabulous Blog ‘To Discover Ice’
Never a boring moment here on your blog, Hilary.
Dear Patsy - I did say it wasn't one of the characters in the story ... but comes of writing long posts I guess!
But you'll find out next week ... so no not Rena, nor Jerome ... nor in fact Andrew ...
@ Paula - a 1500 word novel? Any good - that's about the length of my detective wrap up ... but don't we all love a good mystery ..
@ OOTP - I could do others I guess - have certainly thought about it .. but not that seriously ...but if you come back for all I write - who knows?!
@ Mason - that's great if I've opened other doors for you ... hope you enjoy the unravelling of the story line.
@ Bazza - poor Timothy ... sadly he never does get out of the closet.
@ Inger - happy to read you enjoyed the post ...
Cheers to you all - looks like I'll enjoy your thoughts on my unwrapping of the death .. the who did it and with what ... Hilary
I love Cluedo Hilary - I"ll be reading back looking for clues
I knew there was a bit of Agatha Christie about you lol
Fil
Bwa-ha-ha -- regarding Bazza's comment. I guess poor Timothy will not have the chance to come out of the closet.
I don't have a clue-do who did him in.
Have you seen the movie version of CLUE? It's surprisingly funny and well-done for a movie based on a board game. A great script and a talented cast!
Like Crystal wrote: the final sentence was my favorite.
As a busy rare blood courier, I have forgotten the date for Lenny Lee's birthday. When was or is it?
@ Fil - it's a fun game to play isn't it .. and I'm not sure about Agatha Christie - but delighted to evoke a microcosm of that amazing mystery writer.
@ Dianne - how right you are - Timothy has his demise in the closet. The answer isn't obvious - even I must say!
I haven't seen the movie .. in fact if I'd known about it .. perhaps I wouldn't have 'made up' the story ... that's good to know it was fun ...
@ Roland - thanks ... Lenny's birthday is tomorrow the 20th ..
Thanks everyone .. Cluedo amuses and that's the main thing .. cheers Hilary
This looks fantastic fun. Bravo Hilary!
I love stories with a twist! Well done with this, Hilary. Clue was my favorite game when I was a child, but I never could find enough people to play it with me!
That window being open is interesting...
Great job on the story, Hilary. What fun!
That game is called just "Clue" in the states. They made a film using the characters in the game several years ago and it had several alternate endings, as I remember. Oddly - I've never watched it, but always meant to. Now I'm inspired.
Oddly enough, I've seen the movie but never played the game. Nicely done, Hilary.
Didn't know that a Miss Marple is hidden in you, lol ! Curious to read your story ! I don't know this board game must be fun !
Your prompt is really cool, I liked it a lot :).
Can't wait to see that post!
I remember playing the game Clue. You did great job with your mystery story.
I can't wait to find out!
@ Madeleine - I hope the discovery of the murderer will hold true ...
@ Elizabeth - I only played for a while ... but I did so enjoy it. Sad about not finding friends or family to play with you ...
The open window was to accommodate the 'word' swell into the prose! But it's an interesting thought ...
@ Lynn - glad you enjoyed it. I haven't seen the movie .. but might get it to look at at some stage .. Let me know if you do get to watch it.
@ Milo - I see you've seen the film ... but not played - sometime perhaps!
@ Gattina - I don't think there is a Miss Marple in me .. but I enjoyed this challenge and the resultant working out the who dunnit ...
It's something Toby might like at some stage - if he can sit still long enough!?!
@ Sarah - so pleased you liked the prompt - we'll see the comments I get for the result ... ?!
@ Susanne - it's a good childhood game ... and am glad the mystery story leads on to having to write about who did do it.
@ Lisa - thanks ...
The murderer will be revealed later this week ... cheers Hilary
I love a good mystery, Hilary :-)
And also, I remember reading about who dunnit years ago, but I plumb forget. That is a good thing, cause I will be pleasantly surprised when the truth is revealed.
Thanks for letting me know that you were posting this.
Well, you know I loved this post!!!
I can't believe I missed it. I have no "clue" who dunnit.
So, in England the game was called Cluedo? In the States, it was Clue. I loved playing it.
Well, I looked up lead-based alloy and found that arsenic is commonly used as an alloy. I'm wondering if this had anything to do with Timothy's death?
Okay, hurry up and give us the answer. I can't wait:~)
@ Davina - good to see you .. seeing as you initiated this story line. We had a good few stories being told that day with those nine words.
@ Sara - you were there too .. yes ours is Cluedo ... and it's still around. One more post and then the answer will be Sunday probably ...
Thanks so much for calling in to the Cluedo mystery .. cheers Hilary
Nicely done, Hilary. It's good to exercise the muscles of the imagination!
Did you ever get a chance to read my essay on education?
Have a lovely weekend!
Oh, how fun! I love Clue and this is great. Thanks for sharing this again, Hilary, I so enjoyed it. Can't wait for the follow-up post.
@ Julia - appreciate that .. the answer is up now, and my imaginative muscles were used up!
Re your Essay on Education - thanks for the reminder .. I did read it and thought it was very good - kept it for further use .. and replied on the site, and at your blog - it was very well written.
@ Julie - many thanks .. it did keep me amused, while I drove back and forth along the south coast for a couple of weeks!!
Answer is up .. so hope you both enjoy it .. Hilary
Hilary, I remember this challenge. It's fun to revive characters and add to or finish a story.
@ Linda .. thanks for remembering and coming by to comment again .. I'm glad it's up on my blog now ..
Cheers Hilary
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