How Do You Come Up With A Mystery?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  1. Read other mysteries often. …
  2. Know every detail of the crime. …
  3. Open with intrigue. …
  4. Construct convincing characters. …
  5. Make a list of suspects. …
  6. Lean into your locations. …
  7. Let the reader play along. …
  8. Misdirect your reader.

What makes something a mystery?

A mystery is a story that has five basic but important elements. These five components are:

the characters, the setting, the plot, the problem, and the solution

. … The author should introduce the characters in the story with enough information that the reader can visualize each person.

What are the 7 elements of mystery?

  • Cliffhanger Hook. …
  • Suspense All Around. …
  • Red Herrings. …
  • Strong, Compelling Characters. …
  • Evidence The Makes Sense. …
  • Reader Involvement. …
  • A Satisfying Ending.

How do you come up with clues for a mystery novel?

  • Know different types of mysteries inside out.
  • Brainstorm your best mystery plot ideas.
  • Use core elements of gripping mystery plots.
  • Drop teasing clues like trails of crumbs.
  • Give characters strong motivations to find solutions.

How does a mystery start?

First

use suspense at the start

, usually in the form of a crime. Secondly, start adding clues for the investigator or main character, and introduce one or more suspects. Finally, the main character either solves the mystery, or doesn’t, if you want to end on a cliffhanger and write a second part to your story.

What is the most popular mystery book?

  1. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie. …
  2. The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler. …
  3. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. …
  4. The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. …
  5. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. …
  6. Woman in White by Wilkie Collins. …
  7. Anatomy of a Murder by Robert Traver.

What makes mystery interesting?

Mystery stories revolve around a main character on a quest to solve a crime. Also known as a whodunit or detective story, a mystery

creates intrigue by revealing the identity of the antagonist only at the climax of the story

. Mystery writers drop clues throughout the plot to invite readers to join in the investigation.

What are some mystery words?

  • arcane,
  • cryptic,
  • deep,
  • enigmatic.
  • (also enigmatical),
  • impenetrable,
  • inscrutable,
  • mystic,

Why do people like mystery so much?

We learn about

how others live and see the world

, opening up our perspective and experiences. Reading great mysteries, just like reading any other magnificent book, reality falls away and we become part of this fictional world that’s captivated our imagination.

What are the 5 elements of suspense?

  • Conflict. Every novel needs conflict, and it’s also incredibly important for building suspense. …
  • Pacing. The pace of your novel is another important component to building suspense. …
  • Red herrings. Red herrings are clues in your story that mislead readers. …
  • Atmosphere. …
  • High stakes.

How do you write a mystery step by step?

  1. Read other mysteries often. …
  2. Know every detail of the crime. …
  3. Open with intrigue. …
  4. Construct convincing characters. …
  5. Make a list of suspects. …
  6. Lean into your locations. …
  7. Let the reader play along. …
  8. Misdirect your reader.

How do you hide clues?

Once you know the general area for your scavenger hunt, look for hiding places. Qualities of a good hiding place include: Places to

stash a clue where it will stay

put: a pocket or the pages of a book or inside a container. Things with a story or memory attached, like a favorite picture, nook or book.

What’s the greatest mystery of all time?

  1. The Dark Matter. Dark matter sounds sinister by its mere name, but knowing what it is will leave you even more perplexed. …
  2. The Voynich Manuscript. …
  3. Kryptos. …
  4. Beale Ciphers. …
  5. Phaistos Disc. …
  6. Jack the Ripper. …
  7. The Malaysian Airlines Flight.

What should I read if I like Gone Girl?

  • Dare Me, by Megan Abbott. …
  • Cartwheel, by Jennifer DuBois. …
  • Reconstructing Amelia, by Kimberley McCreight. …
  • Dark Places, by Gillian Flynn. …
  • Abroad, by Katie Crouch. …
  • The Silent Wife, by A.S.A Harrison. …
  • The Wicked Girls, by Alex Marwood. …
  • The Secret History, by Donna Tartt.

What are the most popular mysteries?

  • I, Alex Cross. by James Patterson. …
  • And Then There Were None. Agatha Christie. …
  • The Da Vinci Code. Dan Brown. …
  • Flowers in the Attic. V. C. …
  • The Hunt for Red October. Tom Clancy. …
  • Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus. …
  • The Godfather. …
  • Gone Girl.
Emily Lee
Author
Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.