How to Write a Mystery

1
How to Write a Mystery

• secrets to writing
• a really good story

Yes, you have to take notes.
2
What is a mystery?

• Does it have to include a murder?
• Does it have to include a detective?
• Any story?
• Any genre?
• List two examples of mysteries in your notes.
  You can use items from class, tv, or film.

3
The Perspective

• Clear point of view
• 1st person I could see the victim
• We could see the victim
• 3rd person He could see the victim
• They could see the victim

4
Add Imagery

• Visual
• Her legs strode into my shabby old office
• Auditory
• Her venomous voice poured silkily into the room
• Tactile
• She angrily slammed the door.
• Taste or Smell
• I saw through my cigar smoke the smile of a
  killer

5
Try starting at the end

• What is the mystery that will be solved?
• Something that is lost is somehow found.
• No one knows what is behind some mysterious
  actuntil the mystery is solved.
• A crime has been committed and the
  culprit/criminal needs to be found.

6
Examples of Conflict/Crime

• Something is stolen
• Someone is kidnapped
• Someone is murdered
• Someone cheated
• Somebody is lying
• Someone/something went missing

7
Essential Elements

• Setting- Decide on time and place
• Characters with motivation They want something
  and something, someone gets in the way.
• Plot- a problem that needs to be solved, an event
  that cannot be explained, a secret.
• Exposition-A clever way to expose the story.
• Foreshadowing Use to draw in your reader
  (clues). What is a red herring?

8
More Elements

• Inciting IncidentEvent that introduces the
  central conflict
• Rising ActionBuild suspense
• ClimaxThe conflict is somehow solved
• Resolution/DenouementThe loose ends need to be
  tied up for the reader

9
What Genre Can Be a Mystery?

• Adventure
• Sci-Fi
• Gothic
• Western
• Fantasy
• Horror
• Romance

• Drama
• Historical
• Humor
• Suspense

10
Where Can a Mystery Take Place?

• In a Car
• The Desert
• Old House
• The Mountains
• Cyberspace
• On the Phone
• Amusement Park

• Library
• Small Town
• The Beach
• On a Train
• Restaurant
• On a Boat

11
Requirements

• Typed
• Times New Roman or Courier
• Double-space
• Due Dates
• Rough draft due January 15
• Final due January 17