You need to get into the shoes of a Puzzle Creator – that is the precondition to the list of mysterious story ideas. Apart from that given below are a few steps on how to write a mysterious story.
Easy guide on how to write a mysterious story:
1. Know the Difference between Mystery and Thriller
The first pillar to note down in the list of the mysterious story ideas is to know the difference between a mystery and a thriller.
Mystery stories usually start with a crime at hand be it a murder, rape, kidnapping, etc. Whereas thriller stories establish a plot and eventually takes you to the main crime. In a thriller, the story revolves around if the main character can stop the crime from happening.
2. Read Mystery Books to Get More Mysterious Story Ideas
The second pillar is to read books of a similar genre to get more mysterious story ideas.
Read classic mystery novels like The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle or A Crime in the Neighborhood by Suzanne Berne. While reading pay attention to the minutest of details from the plot, characters, location, era, appearances of the main characters, etc. They are writing legends for a reason and you should try to unwind and grasp their writing skills.
3. Give Words To Your Own Mysterious Story Idea
The third pillar is to pen down your own mysterious story ideas. The more ideas the better.
Remember, whether you are writing about a coldblooded murder or a kidnapping going wrong, the misdeed must at all be the epicentre of your story. You can then start with building a rough story around your story idea. Build the outline first by answering who, how, what and when.
4. Take Some Real-Life Inspiration
Once you have decided on the crime of your story, look up some real-life instances that can give you an intricate idea about how such a crime takes place in real life.
You need to articulate the crime as if you have seen it with your real eyes for your readers to believe it. This is the fourth and vital pillar to come up with mysterious story ideas.
5. Character Building
The fifth pillar to jot down in the list of mysterious story ideas is fixing and then designing your characters.
You need to give equal focus to all the characters that will bring your story together. Your hero may be an amateur sleuth or the partner of the victim – his or her character has to be relatable and convincing for the readers. The hero is usually the eyes and ears for the reader to navigate through the story.
Your bad guy has to be equally strong who can not just be inhumane but also a mastermind.
6. Emphasis On The Surrounding
Lean a bit harder on the era and location in which your story is taking place. This is the sixth pillar of coming up with mysterious story ideas and also the most neglected one.
Your story can be in a small town of Africa or in a lively crowded city like Mumbai, India – the vivid description of the exact place and time can make the reader curious and his or her imagination crystal.
7. Show More and Tell Less
The common characteristic of a great writer is he can make the story come live in the head of the reader. You need to try and get there.
For this take recourse to descriptive writing. Create your plot using descriptive writing so your reader himself can get clues and can explore.
Let your reader solve the puzzle alongside the main character.
This will be your sixth pillar in the notes about mysterious story ideas.
8. Opening Plot Is Prime
You have 2-3 pages to win your reader. So, make the most of it. Your start point has to be intriguing enough for the reader to stay put and then unfold the mystery.
Based on your storyline come up with the best opening. Once you have drafted it, share it with a few close friends and take their opinion as a reader.
Do not skip the exercise of taking feedback as it can be a complete game-changer. This is the seventh pillar of the foundation of mysterious story ideas.
Also Read – 10 Ways On How To Start A Writing Career & Be Successful At It
9. Do Not Make It Obvious – Keep Enough Twists
Red herrings also known as false clues are the lifelines of a good mystery story.
These red herrings are the wrong hints that are present in the story that can make the reader believe as he or she has almost solved the crime. These misdirections are engaging and fun. Having many wrong leads should be at the top tier of the mysterious story ideas.
10. Rewrite
The last and the most important tip about writing mystery is to know that seldom you will get it right on the first go.
So, the advice here is to have as many drafts as possible. Keep rewriting your plots and do not stop until you are fully contented.
You should stop when your brain feels like this is the last twist that my mind can comprehend.
Conclusion
There is no thumb rule that these pillars will ensure that you write a great mystery story. However, it will surely guide you in your process of writing a good and engaging mystery.
