Mythological Truths
Crime/Urban Fantasy: Crime stories are plot-driven and teach us that social order and justice depend on clever people who outsmart chaotic wrongdoers. Develop engaging characters and vivid worlds to transport readers to other realms.
Plot: An investigative journalist and the local police chief team up to solve a string of murders linked to the local police department.
What’s at Stake: Social order and justice.
Character Wants & Needs: The protagonist wants to see justice done and needs to learn something previously unknown for that to happen. Usually, that learning will require an internal change based on a Worldview, Validation, or Redemption arc.
Characters: Angel {Mage-Monk}, I am known as Angel to have short white hair, ghost-like skin, yellow eyes, an arm tattoo, clothing: ripped jeans, a tank top, snake boots, leather jacket, mirrored glasses, leg-holster gun, “magic-spell casting, sword, and traits: fear no one, straightforward with my words, and truth-speaking about mythological sharp-tongued.
The Last Magic Magus is the only surviving member of a group of powerful magicians trying to bring back his culture while dealing with people who don’t believe in magic. I was born into Buddhism as a young person.
Gold-Moon {Dark Elf-Sorceress}, known as Gold-Moon, to be “known as lone-wolf,” to have smokey-gray long hair, red eyes, nose piercing, a tattoo of a wolf, and blue skin. Clothing: flamed leggings {red-black}, crop-top, white-blue robe, bow/arrows holsters, staff-“wand,” small sword-“two-handed,” and traits: independent-minded, creative, curious, cold.
There was always a limit to the amount of power the Elves could harness — the risk of madness and spiritual corruption prevented them from delving deeper into the power of Chaos. A natural affinity for the shifting winds of magic. High Sorceresses, also known as Supreme Sorceresses, are the most influential practitioners of Dark Magic.
Blade {Vampire-Rogue}, My name is Blade; I am known to have wavey, long black hair, pale skin, and orange eyes. Clothing: black-long cloak, hidden weapons, leather snake boots, black mirrored glasses, holly-ripped shirt, hidden magical books, supernatural {Day-Walker,} and skin-tight pants. Traits: confident, courageous, conflicts, anti-violence, clear-headed, knowledgeable, Methodological and high-minded. Background: I was an orphan, living on the streets, hiding in the shadows, knowing that I have always been different, still have my soul, born with all of a vampire’s strengths and none of their weaknesses.
Raven-Wolf [me] {Druid—Elf, Princess and is the Journalist}, My name is “Raven-Wolf,” and I am known to have long flaming blue/green hair, porcelain white skin, {dark hour-glass,} purple eyes, crown-beaded headpiece, bracelet heirloom {mum} Butterfly brooch, teal dress, heals, and clothing: casual wear-white “robe cloak,” owl-staff, horns, sleeveless top, zipper leggings, gloves, arm bracelets, leg and arm holsters. Traits: Graceful, cold, aloof, and imperious. Background: from the royal family and princesses, I am an Inventor in a Magical World, an intelligent creator in a world where magic is more important than science. She’s trying to make something unique that uses science and magic, even though people don’t value my work.
Jedi, {Arikara-Warlock and is the Chief}, my name is Jedi. I am known to have reddish-like skin, silver mist hair, black eyes, and glasses. My clothing includes a buffalo-skin cloak, moccasins, deer-skin boots, seal-skin pants, a leather shirt badge, a gun-holster and a headpiece horn feather. My traits are curiosity and recklessness. Nature is my belief, and I am immune to fear. Background: Born in Tepee, age 10, I was a man hunting alone with only a spear; I brought home my first kill. Years passed, and I became the chief. Chose to become an officer of the law by being chief of the police.
Dr. Dean: unknown to the mythological creatures, and Parallel Worlds: Some fantasy worlds are parallel dimensions connected to our Earth via magical portals or items, and certain fantasy worlds are hidden within our reality. Mark of Cain, time travelling, Death Ring, human-bad/good days, weapons-casting spells, master hunter, and god powers.
{Note: Twist An unreliable narrator tells the story. And there’s a twist! The Object of Desire is Evil: In this plot twist, the thing the protagonist has been chasing after turns out to be mythological and not harmful. This is a great way to create an element of surprise in your story and keep your readers guessing.}
Raven-Wolf [me] {Druid—Elf, Princess and the Journalist,} Gold-Moon {Dark Elf-Sorceress}, Blade {Vampire-Rouge,} returns home to Hobbiton with their share of the treasure and a lot of wisdom gained. Jedi, {Arikara-Warlock and is the Chief,} was found guilty! Ends the Second Twist.
The Prime subjects are Angel, Gold-Moon, Jedi, Dr. Dean, and Jedi, {Arikara-Warlock and is the Chief,} was found guilty! Ends the Second Twist.
Essential Premise: Criminal activity results in chaos, whereas the pursuit of justice restores social order.
Audience Emotion: The Crime reader wants to feel the intrigue of solving a puzzle or the safety of seeing order and justice prevail. Variations: Crime stories may center on solving a puzzle, investigating a crime, or planning a caper or heist.
As a Supporting Story Type: Typically, where a story contains a crime element, Crime will be the primary plot. However, a crime that incites the protagonist to seek justice in a character-driven story could drive their substantial inner growth.
○ Meet the expectations of your intended audience.
○ Write a consistent story with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
○ Finish. After all, you can't sell an unfinished story.
