5 Tips for Writing Mystery Stories by Dawn Arkin
Mystery stories are a special type
of writing. Fast paced and complex, they are a problem solving person's
idea of a great read. Good mysteries keep a reader wondering while
solving the crime. Great mysteries keep a reader in the dark until the
very end.
Though you can have almost any combination of genre in one, there are
certain rules you must follow for the tale to be considered a mystery.
1. Plot - Mysteries are plot-driven tales. They go beyond the standard
victim is killed - detective searches for clues - killer is caught
plotlines. Good mysteries have all that. Great mysteries have twists,
turns and enough red herrings to keep the reader guessing until the
moment the killer is revealed. A mystery story's plot must be plausible
or the story will fall flat on its covers.
2. Crime - The crime should be introduced as early as possible,
preferable in the firs chapter. Not many readers will be willing to
read hundreds of pages without a victim. Most would not be willing to
read past the first chapter. The crime should be believable, something
the reader can see happening.
3. Main Characters - Introduce your detective and villain early on.
Your detective is the hero of the story and your reader wants to see
him in action from the get go. Your villain can be shown early, but if
you want to keep your reader guessing, then keep your villain in the
shadows until his unmasking.
4. Take your time - Keep your villain a secret until the last possible
moment. If you show the reader who he is too soon, they might lose
interest in the rest of the story. Be sure you reveal the clues as your
detective uncovers them so your reader has a chance to solve the crime
first.
5. Research - Make sure you read up on the type of crime, police
procedures, and forensic information to make your story come to life.
Also, make sure you know your story's setting inside and out. Nothing
ruins a story faster than a writer who doesn't understand their own
setting and makes errors the reader can see.
Mystery stories tend to follow more standard rules than other genres.
Following those rules will help you write the kind of mystery your
readers are looking for, and create the kind of suspenseful storyline
that will have your readers turning the page until the very ending.
About the Author
Dawn Arkin is an author on http://www.writing.com/ which is a site for fiction writing. Her portfolio can be found at http://darkin.writing.com/ so stop by and read for a while.