A Writer & Rider’s Discovery

As many of you know, I am both a writer and a rider. I’ve enjoyed a variety of equestrian pursuits…showing, driving, hunting, etc. throughout the world. My writing endeavors led me to not only produce this page, but to delve into my most beloved fictional genera…The Mystery novel. It is just as of late, that I discovered an odd connection in the seemingly unrelated pursuits.

The Serendipity of Synchronicity

I consider the experience of stumbling upon obscure, seemingly disparate subjects or circumstances related to my passions, one of life’s greatest pleasures. Whether grand or infinitesimal, the “ah ha” moments are those to be savored.

Kids with lightbulbs

So, the Story Unfolds…

It was a gentle spring afternoon. One on which I refused to let the nagging notion that I should be doing something productive elude me. But as I sat in the sweet country air, letting the breeze softly ruffle my hair, and the sun kiss my cheeks, the nagging notion got it’s way. In search of some enterprise that would produce something positive, without expending too much energy, I turned to Spotify, and a podcast to inform as well as entertain. An elegant solution! And just up my alley!

pipe and magnifying glass — **The Art of Mystery Writing 🙂**

Honing My Craft

I chose a podcast dedicated to the fine art of writing the mystery novel, with the emphasis being on creating a successful “Red Herring.” For those unfamiliar with this term, it simply means something intended to divert attention from the real problem or matter at hand; a misleading clue.

I lace my mysteries with delicious red herrings. I delight in challenging readers to identify the misleading clues, and put them firmly on the back burner, while in hot pursuit of the guilty culprit. True, I wish to divert the reader, but never at a disadvantage. I play fair.

Imagine my surprise when the hosts of the podcast revealed the origin of the term red herring!

Herrings & Horses…Oh My!

This expression, first popped up in British foxhunting circles. Smoked and salted herrings turn bright red in the curing process and emit a pungent, fishy smell. Although the term “red herring” had been around since 1420 to describe the smoked version of the fish, it was first used to mean a distraction in a British gentlemen’s magazine published in 1686. The article touted an effective way to prolong a fox hunt: Drag a dead cat across the trail, masking the fox’s scent and confusing the hounds. The author suggested using a red herring if no cats were available! Nearly 200 years later, in 1884, the term was used more precisely to mean a false clue.

cat