How Dark Is Your World?

Most Mystery/Suspense/Thriller stories are set in the real world, but the realities of that world cover a wide spectrum from light, cozy and optimistic to dark, gritty and despairing. On the light end of the spectrum are cozy mysteries, where crime is an unexpected event that mars an otherwise pleasant world. On the other extreme are hard-boiled detective stories, where crime is rampant and the tough, cynical P. I. or cop sees the world as a harsh place.

Is your story world closer to the light or to the dark side?

The dark side is characterized by:

• A story world that is a broken place with little hope for improvement, where crime and violence are a normal part of life. This is a tough world that requires tough characters.
• An underlying assumption that society is basically flawed and there isn’t much hope things will get better.
• An atmosphere that is dark, gritty, edgy, pessimistic, bleak, or cynical.
• A flawed main character who fights a losing battle against crime but keeps striving to stave off total darkness.
• Violence, harsh language, and gritty realism
•  Murders and victims described in brutal detail rather than being glossed over

In contrast, the light side is characterized by:

• A story world filled with compassion, forgiveness and hope, where crime and violence are the exception rather than the rule.
• An underlying assumption that there is hope for redemption in every person
• An atmosphere that is cozy, soft, gentle, humorous, or optimistic
• A main character who hopes to solve the crime and restore order to her world. She believes order can and should be restored.
• Little or no violence
• Little or no swearing
• A murder that often happens off the page
• Limited details regarding the brutal realities of the murder

Obviously, most stories fall somewhere between these two extremes.

Where does your world fit into the spectrum? Do you know why you chose your setting worldview? Is it simply a reflection of your own worldview or did you intentionally choose it to fit your story?

Some considerations when choosing how dark to make your story world:

• Does it fit the subgenre? Readers who prefer cozies don’t want gritty realism and readers of noir don’t want sugar-coated optimism. Know the norms of your subgenre before defining your world.
• Does it appeal to your target audience?
• What are the underlying assumptions of the characters regarding the world you have defined for them? What do they take for granted and how does that affect their choices and attitudes?
• How does your world augment or conflict with the worldview of your main characters?
• How easy will it be to show redemption at work?

Choosing the right degree of darkness will enhance your story and attract the right readers, so consider your choice carefully.  

Happy world-crafting.

Lisa E. Betz believes that everyone has a story to tell the world. She loves to encourage fellow writers to be intentional about their craft and courageous in sharing their words with others. Lisa shares her words through dramas, Bible studies, historical mysteries, and her blog about intentional living. You can find her on Facebook  LisaEBetzWriter Twitter @LisaEBetz and Pinterest Lisa E Betz.