The Killer vs. The Story

Whilst planning on how to tell the story of Ted Bundy and the poor women who fell victim to his evil, it was imperative to research what had already been done. As mentioned in last week's post, two books were purchased that were based on Bundy and his crimes.

Unfortunately, the one disadvantage I have in contrast to these novels is that the authors had personal links with Bundy. I do not. Just like Kate Summerscale in The Suspicions of Mr Whicher, I am having to rely on what my research uncovers and the second hand accounts of those involved to tell the story.

But how am I going to tell the story?

Idea #1: focus on what made Bundy the killer he gave his life to be:

- The relationships between Bundy and the closest relatives in his life and how their constant changing shaped the man he grew to become

- The romantic entanglement that acted as the 'guidelines' Bundy used when looking for his next victims

- How society treated Bundy (the illegitimate child of a young Christian) in both his childhood and adulthood

Idea #2: tell the stories of the victims: 

- Who the young women who Bundy viciously murdered were

- Why are only some of them remembered over others when they were all just as important?

- The lives of the families who lost daughters by Bundy's hand and how they've coped throughout the trials and execution

Idea #3: similar to the styling of Summerscale:

- A chance to take a deeper look into the many cases made against Bundy; from being accused of smoking marijuana to murder

- Frame the entire story with official documents and case reports in a similar style to that of Kate Summerscale

Idea #4: the present:

- Look into similar cases that could have been influenced by the crimes of Ted Bundy

- The lives being led by Bundy's ex-wife and his daughter who was conceived on Death Row

- Find out what happened to the women who barely escaped Bundy's clutches