As many of you know. I'm writing a mystery comic, but I'm stuck on the first case. How do you plan this kind of story (I'm also working on a spinoff light novel series for young teen readers and have had the same dilemma). I just can't figure out the cases. How do you plan a case in a mystery series? Just curious.
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1) What is the mystery about? A person, place or thing?
2) What exactly is the mystery? Is the person, place or thing missing? Stolen? Something else?
3) What is the setting for the mystery? Build a world for the event to take place in.
4) A mystery involves a disruption of the social order, and solving it is putting that order back as it should be. What exactly are you disrupting here that needs the hero (or heroine) to set right?
5) When a mystery involves people trying to hide something, they inevitably lie or try to hide something. But solving it involves bringing the truth to life. This is a good opportunity to show that Light indeed triumphs over darkness, as it reveals secrets and sweeps away cover and shadow.
6) What is the background of those involved? Is this an old mystery that happened long ago, and those originally involved have since passed away? Is it recent, with the people involved still present? What is their story, and if they are involved directly, do they have something to gain or lose in this?
7) What is the backstory on the item/place/person that the mystery centers around?
8) Clues: I wouldn't make the clues so hard to put together that only you would know how, but making it too easy takes all the fun out of the mystery. Make sure whatever clues you do plant, there is reference for them in the world you're setting this in, and that there is a "common point of reference" for them. In other words: if people don't get or have no way to get what the clues could mean, they won't be of much help.
9) If there is a villain involved, what was their motivation for this mystery? What would they gain from it? What would they stand to lose if they didn't commit this? If the mystery is a place or thing, what were the circumstances that caused the mystery? Was it a person or was it some phenomenon or even a spiritual matter?
Just a few thoughts that may help you out.
YBIC,
-Robert
Writing a mystery comic
As many of you know. I'm writing a mystery comic, but I'm stuck on the first case. How do you plan this kind of story (I'm also working on a spinoff…
Start with the ending, then work backwards. The first case should establish the protagonist and what they are about, so use the antagonist to bring out the most in your character. So think of your main character and how your villain(s) can accomplish this. What does this person stand for? What are their strengths and weaknesses? How can they overcome their weaknesses and how are their strengths tested?
Writing a mystery comic
As many of you know. I'm writing a mystery comic, but I'm stuck on the first case. How do you plan this kind of story (I'm also working on a spinoff…
Thanks! I played the Nancy Drew PC games as a kid. I've been a mystery buff ever since.
Kevin D. Lintz said:
What is it that is drawing you to write mystery stories? What do you like about mysteries?
Which ones are your favorite and what parts of mystery stories do you like?
Think about mysteries you have read before and use some of the best elements from them. Of course, don't just copy a story, but think about the things you enjoy and incorporate them into your story.
Writing a mystery comic
As many of you know. I'm writing a mystery comic, but I'm stuck on the first case. How do you plan this kind of story (I'm also working on a spinoff…
What is it that is drawing you to write mystery stories? What do you like about mysteries?
Which ones are your favorite and what parts of mystery stories do you like?
Think about mysteries you have read before and use some of the best elements from them. Of course, don't just copy a story, but think about the things you enjoy and incorporate them into your story.
Writing a mystery comic
As many of you know. I'm writing a mystery comic, but I'm stuck on the first case. How do you plan this kind of story (I'm also working on a spinoff…
Start with the ending, then work backwards. The first case should establish the protagonist and what they are about, so use the antagonist to bring out the most in your character. So think of your main character and how your villain(s) can accomplish this. What does this person stand for? What are their strengths and weaknesses? How can they overcome their weaknesses and how are their strengths tested?
What is it that is drawing you to write mystery stories? What do you like about mysteries?
Which ones are your favorite and what parts of mystery stories do you like?
Think about mysteries you have read before and use some of the best elements from them. Of course, don't just copy a story, but think about the things you enjoy and incorporate them into your story.
Replies
Robert Stimpson said:
Dan Lee said:
Kevin D. Lintz said:
Kevin D. Lintz said:
Start with the ending, then work backwards. The first case should establish the protagonist and what they are about, so use the antagonist to bring out the most in your character. So think of your main character and how your villain(s) can accomplish this. What does this person stand for? What are their strengths and weaknesses? How can they overcome their weaknesses and how are their strengths tested?
What is it that is drawing you to write mystery stories? What do you like about mysteries?
Which ones are your favorite and what parts of mystery stories do you like?
Think about mysteries you have read before and use some of the best elements from them. Of course, don't just copy a story, but think about the things you enjoy and incorporate them into your story.