Dicing a Potato

     The July/August issue of Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine contains my story, "Potatoes Au Rotten." I am always thrilled to learn that one of my tales is appearing in the magazine. Their website says that they've changed print services due to a variety of issues. If you receive a hard copy of the magazine, I hope you get it soon. 

    I'll gratefully wait. As hinted by the title, the story features a reappearance of a series character. He is a private investigator who moonlights as a marketing rep for the Potato Advisory Board. The details of this employment arrangement were explored in some of the early stories, but the short answer is that, unlike his PI clients, the Board's checks always cash, and the corporate job offers better dental insurance. The principal character is forever known simply as the "Spud Stud." With "Potatoes Au Rotten," the kind folks at Hitchcock have published six Spud Stud stories. 

    The email from Hitchcock notifying me of publication got me thinking about the elements that make a good mystery series character. Perhaps I should have thought about the question sooner, but it wouldn't be the first time that I was late to the party. 

    Researching the question proved harder than I thought. I couldn't find a definitive article on the subject, so I compiled the following list gleaned from several sources. As I began the catalog, I immediately started grading my protagonist on a 1-4 scale. (On my phone, I have a potato emoji that looked pretty cool for this analysis. Alas, I couldn't figure out how to move the graphic to the Sleuthsayers blog.) 

Minimal Backstory (2)

    The sources suggest that a good series character needs an easily explainable premise. The character should be capable of being described in a sentence or two. An abbreviated backstory fits the limited space of a short story. 

    The PI/Potato Pitchman requires a few sentences to explain. The set-up takes a bit. I've scored him a 2 on this one. 

A Flexible Social Circle (4)

    For a series to succeed, the sleuth has to encounter a variety of different people presenting an array of problems. 

    After a slow start, the Spud Stud bounces back. He works with food products. Everyone eats. He can meet anyone in the potato retail business. Over the course of the series, he's dealt with grocery store employees, P-listers on the glamorous potato social circuit, and corporate bigwigs. This category earns him a 4. 

A Strong Central Theme (2)

    The Spud's investigations bring order to chaos. He seeks to find truth, bringing him into conflict with those who want to keep it hidden. I want to give my Potato Palladin strong marks on this one, except that these elements are hallmarks of mystery fiction. I've settled on a 2. 

A Baked-in Reason to Encounter Crime (1)

    Successful series characters have a reason why people come to them with their investigative needs. Usually, it's occupation. The Spud Stud is a PI. But the cases in the published stories all arise out of his work as a marketer. Neither the profession nor the location offers a natural locus for crime, so I've scored him a 1. But see the Social Circle thoughts above. Everyone, sooner or later, comes to a grocery store to buy food. Any place people gather, and money is exchanged, offers an opportunity for misdeeds. Perhaps the grocery store as a den of iniquity is under-appreciated. 

A Quirk that Advances Plot (2)

    We all read them. The characters with eidetic memories or super sensitive noses. They draw us in if only to see how the special skill will resolve the current mystery. The Spud is fully versed in the potato varietals sold on the American market. He knows his way around a grocery store. These tidbits of arcane knowledge come in handy, but maybe they're not as cool as knowing the batting average of every baseball card ever read. The Spud Stud scored a 2 here. 

A Distinctive Voice (4)

    The unique way a character expresses himself, shaped by his experiences and personality. The character's voice makes them instantly recognizable. 

    With no false modesty, allow me to state that the Spud Stud may be the leading mystery-solving, potato marketing representative in American short fiction today. The unique position sets him apart from all the world-weary cops and chocolate shop operating librarians who occasionally trip over bodies. His voice is his own. I've given him a 4. 

Conclusion

    The Spud Stud delivered a mixed score. The categories, though, may be useful not only for evaluating my character, but also for thinking about building your own. Constructing a character to carry across several stories means creating someone easy to explain, quick to place at the scene of a crime, and compelling enough to grab a reader's attention. 

    Anything else I should have added to the list? 

Bonus

    Writers often get asked about their sources of inspiration. This story has its roots in an old New Yorker magazine article about Taco Bell's test kitchen. The fast-food chain is not having the best month. This tidbit may help the CEO feel better. 

Until next time