According to an archived article on the BBC website, Agatha Christie's books were unputdownable because she cunningly employed words and phrases that invoked a chemical response in readers' brains, using a technique not unlike hypnotism. (Thanks to Charmaine Clancy for the original link.)
Clearly, we need to know these magical words so that we can slip them into our stories and have readers falling under our spell and clamouring for more. The BBC says
These phrases included "can you keep an eye on this", "more or less", "a day or two" and "something like that".I can feel my eyelids drooping already.
16 COMMENTS:
I swear they make this stuff up. I prefer "installing linux on a dead badger" myself.
Mother, if you include that in a story I'm going to read it!
When did you read this? A day or two ago, more or less? Or something like that? Can you keep an eye on this? (This should rapidly increase further response in this section as followers become mesmerized by my comment.)
I'm sure the contemporary list is a lexicon of abject foulness.
Wendy, I've got an immediate urge to read everything you've ever written. Give it to me now!
Whirl, oh I don't know. I wonder who is considered unputdownable today? Dan Brown? Stieg Larsson?
I thought "look into my eyes" might have made it. My latest WIP is packed with spyspeak.. I figure I'll blind the reader with jargon so they don't notice all the horrendous POV slips!
BTW I prettified my blog a little.
Word verification is hypti
Seriously!
Jane, you could try it in your story! I'd love to see all the spyspeak you've come up with.
Your blog is looking wonderful!
OK, since you put it out there...
Go to my blog and in the Pages box in the sidebar, you'll find info about my books and can even purchase them ;-)
Wendy, but you have to promise me they're all as hypnotic as your comment here!
(I'll pop across and look anyway.)
"I can feel my eyelids drooping already." Yep. Know JUST what you mean, lol.
ww, at least it's good for insomnia.
Very interesting concept. I think I will make a note of all these phrases. I need all the help I can get!
Ann, I think they're most helpful if you're writing bedtime stories!
The idea is interesting, but they gottabekidding about the examples.
A thousand pardons, your royal spikiness: I meant I preferred "Installing Linux on a Dead Badger" as a piece of fictional non-fiction to the boring but must-have-been invented Agatha Christie Twaddle.
Read about the badger here: http://www.strangehorizons.com/2004/20040405/badger.shtml
Bernita, I entirely agree.
Mother, I'd never seen that story before. I see what you mean.
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