McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft

How do you write a good mystery story?

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AsaTJ:
So, I feel like I have a pretty good grip on my strengths and weaknesses as a writer.  I'm pretty good with character development, pacing, and exposition.  One thing I've struggled with, though (and reading the Dresden Files has made me really want to get better) is setting up a good, layered mystery story.  Something just complex enough that it's tricky to figure out, but not so complex that it seems like the author just artificially added more bends in the river to make it seem more complex.  Jim does a stellar job of this, and frankly, I'd kill to know what his secret is.... and no that is NOT a literal statement to be exploited by any fairy queens that might be reading this.  You know who you are.

You guys have any advice you'd be willing to share?

Aakaakaak:
Have you read his livejournal posts on how to write yet? He's really into structuring his books before he writes. I would assume having the big twists are pre-written and you just match your books to get to that end without revealing until the end. Trail-o-breadcrumbs.

AsaTJ:
Hm, I haven't yet.  Where might I find them?

The huge thing I admire about Jim's writing that I'm not sure I'd even be able to handle is the immesne web of motivations he seems to create with every new case.  There are so many people with so many complicated motivations involved in each story, and most of them have one, two, or in some cases more layers of fake motivations on top of that to throw Dresden off.  I just have no experience with how you keep track of all of that and have it fall nicely into place at the end.  My attempt would look less like a spider web and more like I got into a fight with a sewing machine and lost.  :P

Aakaakaak:
Here you go: http://jimbutcher.livejournal.com/

Start at the bottom post and read up.

Jim uses character sheets on every character in the Dresdenverse.

meg_evonne:
With a mystery I think it's easier to create the bone struture of the murder or crime.  Once you figure out the simple line u can start working on the other layers.  Pick a location, season of year, murder weapon etc. Ie mrs. Peacock in the kitchen w lead pipe. Well sort lof...lol. then make it 50 times more complicated & interesting.

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