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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/32714
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/32714
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

A story should finish what it starts.

You control what, exactly, you choose to start. If you're not going to be finishing a murder mystery with a solution, you need to be careful not to set the story up in a way that the story will be unsatisfying without a solution.

You say that _not_ having a clean resolution is "the basic idea of the novel." Here are a few possible ways to interpret that idea:

- The point is that the detective is obsessed, and the real conclusion the reader should draw is that he should just let it go.
- Or the point is that some mysteries are unsolvable, and we must all live with uncertainty.
- Or that the characters are wrong to be investigating this mystery; they've misunderstood everything and they're barking up the wrong tree.

Each of these is an example of a story, where **the solution to the mystery is unimportant**. That's why these stories probably shouldn't start out by establishing **the mystery to be solved** ; instead, they should start out by establishing **the problem that needs to reach resolution.**

Don't begin with a dead body and questions to be answered; instead, consider:

- Beginning with the obsessed detective, showing how focused he is, and how oblivious (and destructive) he is during his pursuit of the case
- Beginning with the dread of uncertainty, showing how the characters are aching to find meaning and order in the world.
- If the characters are going to misunderstand what's important -- maybe start with what _is_ important, and you'll be portraying your characters as being drawn away from that.

These are simply examples to illustrate the premise: **your first, outermost story is what readers will be expecting you to resolve.** That's what establishes what the story is _about_. That's the promise you're making.

Within that supporting framework, "inner" plot threads can already have resolutions like "the solution is, there is no solution." What makes that work is, these resolutions will be meaningful for the higher-level story arc. They'll be delivering on your bigger promise.

Original score: 33