For some, being addicted to crime fiction can be a great source of entertainment and relaxation. After a long day, curling up with a good crime novel can be a wonderful way to unwind. It can also inspire creativity, as the plots and characters in these books can give you new ideas for your own stories or other creative projects.
It can expand one's creativity. Reading about different worlds and technologies in science fiction might inspire someone to come up with new ideas in their own work or hobbies.
On one hand, it might affect their sleep. If they listen to horror stories right before bed, they may have nightmares or find it difficult to fall asleep. On the other hand, it could also make them more aware of their surroundings in real life. Since horror stories often involve danger, they might be more cautious. However, if it becomes an excessive addiction, it could isolate them as others may not share the same interest.
One reason could be the suspense. Crime fiction keeps you on the edge of your seat, wondering what will happen next. For example, in detective stories like Sherlock Holmes, the mystery surrounding the crime makes it hard to put the book down.
They still influence modern crime stories a great deal. For instance, by ensuring that the criminal is introduced early, it keeps the mystery within a certain framework that the readers can follow. Modern writers often abide by these rules to some extent to make their stories more engaging.
They can affect a person's self - understanding. By exploring past life stories, one may understand certain fears or phobias better. For example, if someone has a fear of water and in a past life regression discovers they drowned, it can make sense of that fear.
Set a reading schedule. For example, limit yourself to a certain number of hours per day for reading fiction. This way, you can still enjoy it without it taking over your life.
The setting can directly influence the plot. For example, if the story is set in a prison, the confined space restricts the characters' movements and opportunities. This can lead to a different kind of crime and a unique way of investigating. A rural setting might mean that help is far away, which can heighten the tension and danger for the victim. In a big city setting, there are more potential suspects and hiding places, which can make the plot more complex as the detective has to sift through many possibilities.
Bad tropes in crime fiction can really take away from the overall enjoyment. Take the 'all - knowing detective' trope. It makes the mystery less mysterious. There's no real sense of discovery for the reader. And when there are 'token minority' characters that are just there for show, it can feel inauthentic and disrupt the immersion in the story. Also, overused cliffhangers can start to feel like a gimmick rather than an effective storytelling device.
They guide the writer. For example, if 'The detective must use natural means to solve the crime' is a commandment, the writer can't suddenly have the detective solve the case through magic. It keeps the story grounded.
They can have both positive and negative effects. On the positive side, it can add some spice to a relationship if shared appropriately with a partner. For example, it might inspire new activities in the bedroom.