Mystery/Thriller is a type of fiction that involves the protagonist trying to solve a puzzling situation.
It is the puzzling situation that gives readers that thrilling effect.
Puzzling situations can be
Ghost themed stories
Extreme crime stories
Detective stories
Unexplainable super power stories
Etc
In crime stories, the protagonist, or side characters, is the detective, and the rest of the characters are usually the suspects. The protagonist passes through several events in search of concrete evidence to slice the crime.
In ghost themed stories, a ghost makes himself known to the protagonist in exchange for a deathly price, while the protagonist finds out how the ghost person died.
Etc
One key element of a gripping mystery story is getting the reader involved in piecing out information together with the protagonist.
Most readers actively enjoy solving crimes or mysteries. So they keep reading till the case is solved.
There must be a purpose for the crime, or a motive for creating a mysterious situation and choosing the detective or protagonist to solve the crime or piece mysterious puzzles together.
Create random suspects in form of strangers, relatives or friends, to set the story up.
Hide evidence and make it difficult to find.
Don't tell the whole story in one blow, Leave loopholes. It's up to the readers to figure out and fill up the loopholes to get to the end.
Red herring foreshadowing can be used as a tool to deceive readers and lead them to false conclusions.
YOU ARE READING
Simple Writing Tips for Newbies
RandomWelcome to this writing book guide. The book is divided into two. The first part is on how you can improve your writing with short simple tips. The second part is about how you can identify the different book genre. Find out what genre your book f...
