motive

While developing my own story, motive played a huge part of the creative process. I wanted there to be a surprise, or an unexpected ending. While developing my archetypes and their personalities I had to make sure I placed enough suspects at the scene of he crime, suspects who were shifty, had shady pasts, or who didn't like the "victim."

My victim, is also the villain in my story. She is a wealthy woman who hates everyone, including her husband. She is rude to everyone in her life. When her Renoir paintings were stolen, he blamed her husband, and made him sleep in the guest room. She finally received an insurance settlement for her missing artwork, and disappeared the next day.

In the end, her motive was to collect the insurance and get away from everyone who she hated, and live happily ever after. But it backfired.

I also included a shifty brother in law, who the victim referred to as a loser. The narrator had a clear hatred for the victim and her rudeness. I also placed several contractors in the same room as the crime, and a snooping florist. This was to lead the reader into thinking there could be numerous suspects.

I believe a solid motive helps in the development of a story, but with that said, I held that information to the end.