A good mystery story will include engaging characters, action, and a predicament that will keep you turning the pages. Writing a fascinating mystery novel, on the other hand, might be difficult, especially if you have never done it before. For ease, you can even hire a book writing consultant from the comfort of your own home.
But if you want to do it on your own, you can do it. How? Well, with the right planning, inventiveness, and organisation, you can write a page-turning mystery if you want to. Also, we are here to assist you. So, let’s get this blog started.
The Background Story
Murder is nearly usually the start of a mystery. In a mystery, the main question is who committed the crime. Thrillers frequently begin with a situation that leads to a huge disaster, such as a murder, a bank robbery, or a nuclear explosion. In a thriller, the main question is whether the hero will be able to stop the disaster from happening.
The Core Elements
Like any other genre, a mystery also comes with some key features that distinguish it from other genres. These are some of the characteristics:
- Until the very conclusion of a mystery novel, the reader has no idea who committed the murder. The intellectual exercise of trying to figure out the reasoning behind the crime, or the riddle, is central to mysteries.
- Thrillers are frequently written in the third person and from numerous points of view, whereas mysteries are frequently written in the first person. The hero/detective/main character of a mystery story normally moves at a slower pace while he seeks to solve the crime. In addition, unlike thrillers, mysteries have fewer action sequences.
- Because mysteries are usually slower-paced than thrillers, the characters in a mystery novel are usually more complex and well-rounded.
Types of Mysteries
Yes, the genre of mystery is further divided into more categories. Each one holds a different piece of effect.
- Cosy
- Caper
- Hardboiled
- Softboiled
- Domestic
- Police Procedural
- Paranormal
- Noir
- Suspense
- Romantic Suspense
- Crime
- Amateur Sleuth
How to Write a Mystery?
Become a Good Mystery Reader
You cannot become a good mystery writer unless you become a good reader. Yes, this is a fact. If you pay attention, great mystery books are rich in writing instruction. Read best-selling crime fiction by new authors as well as classic mystery books and short stories. Return to the starting page once you’ve concluded the book and the mystery has been solved. Review the story, remarking how and when the novelist provided clues and employed trickery to both solve the mystery and magnify the tension.
Work On a Convincing Motive
Creating motive is an important part of characterization. What drives each of the characters to take action?
It’s obvious that you need to figure out what motivates the criminal, but you also need to figure out what motivates the investigator or sleuth.
What motivates the investigator to solve the case? Maybe it’s just part of the job, or maybe the investigator is a hobbyist who feels obligated to solve the case for personal reasons. What are the reasons for this? Maybe her father was a detective who died while attempting to solve the crime, and she wants to make amends for him.
The character is more realistic if the motive is logical. Readers believe in real people.
Develop Strong Characters
To make a mystery successful, you will require some strong characters. Remember Sherlock Holmes? Yes, just like him. Also, if you’re writing a mystery story, you’ll need characters who have a goal. What part of the inquiry do they play? What does this have to do with them, and why does it matter so much to them?
Your characters should have a personal connection or, at the very least, a sense of mission in the circumstance. The action will only serve to strengthen them in the end. And they’ll be pushed to their limits during that time.
Thorough Research is Vital
A solid mystery is rich in research. So, when you sit to write a mystery, make sure you work on research. If you’re going to poison the victim, make sure you use a real poison and understand how it works. If you’ll be working with the police, be sure you’re familiar with the proper procedures. Make friends with the cops in your neighbourhood. Work at the library for a while. Readers will notice if any of the technical aspects are incorrect, and they will lose faith in your work as a result.
There Have To Be More Than One Suspect
Another important aspect of mysteries is that they are composed of more than suspects. Writing mysteries is similar to putting together puzzles, and the most important piece of the puzzle is usually the identity of the suspect. Throughout the story, a great mystery will introduce various probable suspects. Many of the best mystery stories introduce the actual criminal early on, allowing the reader time to suspect their guilt. Before putting your suspects to writing, make a list of them and investigate their possible motives.
Never Go Low With the Tension
The tug-of-war (tension) between question and answer lies at the heart of any good mystery. It’s your job as the author to bring the reader’s attention to the appropriate items at the right time.
The easiest approach to make sure this happens is to perfect your tale structure. You may create the thrilling surge in action that all great mystery novels have by skillfully organising your novel’s shift from the unknown to the known. Here’s how you can accomplish it.
EndNote:
A mystery is an interesting write-up. Not only for the reader but the writer as well. However, to write a compelling mystery, you need to keep a few essentials in mind. But, do not worry as we have stated them for your ease. This article includes some of the best tips that help you write a mystery without a second thought.
Have a good time writing. Cheers!
