Avoiding the morally 'good'

One of the troubles that come with studying creative writing is that you’re hyperaware of your search for the big story, no matter the gore. Well, this is how I’m currently justifying my disappointment at the lack of ‘exciting’ crimes upon my list of ideas. (If you can class a list of abductions, serial killings and the violent murders caused by mammals unexciting.)

My sudden interest in the tales of real crimes is, of course, to be blamed on the reading list for this module… that and my slight obsession with crime shows. Such a new interest falls onto the shoulders of Kate Summerscale and her non-fiction novel The Suspicions of Mr Whicher – a novel that was personally ruined when I figured out the murderer from the beginning like the amateur detective I am. Undeniably, the inclusion of my home town in the novel also provoked my interest. It’s not often that a gruesome serial killer pops up on the Isle of Wight.

To only influence my disturbing interest in all things that play off serial killings, this blog led me to research the true events that are referenced in many of my favourite crime shows.

And that was the moment that I stumbled into the world of Ted Bundy; the 20th century serial killer.

Although my other possible ideas were just as shocking – particularly Madeline McCann’s abduction – it was the constant appearance of Bundy in a number of my recreational pass times that sealed the deal. Popping up in films (True Story), TV shows (Criminal Minds) and books (The Girl on the Train), my interest was roused to the point that research into the life of Bundy has already been conducted.

Despite my mind firmly nailed on the murders of Ted Bundy, the rejected ideas were just as strong in terms of their potential to tell a good story. Ironically, my chosen idea falls far from the definition of morally ‘good’. 

However, the rejected stories did stand out as opportunities to dive into a crime known by all and pick at the hidden details. It was their lack of justice that was their downfall in the overall decision.