The sleuth within

Each of us is a sleuth in our own right. We live our lives in order to collect information, which forms evidence meant to convince us of our dreams, the path to follow, a direction worthy of our attention. Why is it that some people choose to not accept the evidence they discover? What is it that compels certain people to rethink the point of everything?

As detective writers go, their typical approach is to start from the “who did it and why” and work backwards through development to reveal the build up.   Many readers simply assume it always works the other way around, which isn’t true. If you think about your own life, wouldn’t it seem logical to assume that you’re working backwards as well, uncovering clues about yourself, as you go, only to arrive at the identity you feel you should’ve known all along? Who is the real detective? Who is writing your story so your pages evolve into different chapters of your life?

So many mystery authors offer us companions to help us find ourselves while we're also given the chance to learn.  After all, what are the tools you think you need to get-to-know yourself? Georges Simenon created Inspector Maigret. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle devised Sherlock Holmes. Lynda LaPlante gave us Detective Jane Tennison. Agatha Christie offered Miss Jane Marple and Hercule Poirot. John Mortimer came up with Horace Rumpole (“Rumpole of the Bailey”). Dan Brown equipped us with symbology professor Robert Langdon. Mildred Wirt Benson invited us to meet Nancy Drew.  Which are your favorites? How many do you work with?

Ultimately, what we choose to do with our detective companions is completely up to us.  Your imagination is key.  Let your soul be your pilot.  Are you in training to become your own specialized sleuth, well, time and how you see yourself will tell...