Seven Secrets For Writing Your Own Unique, Successful Murder Mystery Party
Murder mystery parties are unique in their plots and their logistics.
While all of the intrigues of a well-drafted mystery novel must be present, the entire event must be effectively organized as an evening of entertainment.
Over the past two decades, I've used the following Seven Secrets to create popular, cohesive murder mystery events.
Keep them in mind when developing your own plots.
SECRET #1: Give all suspects a motive.
Most people start investigating the "crime" by attempting to find the reason for the evil deed.
Every suspect in the plot line must have a good reason for wanting to do away with the victim.
SECRET #2: Use lots of red herrings.
Intentionally do what magicians do - use "misdirection" to take people down investigative paths that prove to be fruitless.
Each suspect should have at least two false leads built into his or her background information.
SECRET #3: Develop at least three story lines.
Within the total mystery plot, put together three story lines - separate stories about why and how smaller groupings of suspects know each other.
The story lines should expand on the suspects' motives.
SECRET #4: Provide information about only motive at the start of the investigation.
In the preliminary information that is given to the investigators, allude to the reasons "why" the suspects would want to murder the victim.
Save the specifics about the "how" and "when" until later.
SECRET #5: Use "means" and "opportunity" to identify the killer.
Since all suspects have motives for committing the crime, the specifics of the murder scene and the actions of the suspects will focus in on the guilty party.
SECRET #6: Be theatrical.
In writing style and in the information provided to investigators, be melodramatic.
Have fun with the plot and make tongue-in-cheek comments.
SECRET #7: Drop the "smoking gun" clue when the party is 75% over.
Too much information too soon will mean that the crime can be solved too quickly.
Hold back the last piece of critical information until the three-quarters point of the party.
This keeps the excitement going until the last sleuthing minute.
These secrets will make your mystery party one that is remembered for years.
They are the bases for my Murder Mystery Party Writing Workshop that will be shared with a select group of expert wordsmiths on the 2009 Murder Mystery Cruiseto exotic ports in the Eastern Caribbean.
While all of the intrigues of a well-drafted mystery novel must be present, the entire event must be effectively organized as an evening of entertainment.
Over the past two decades, I've used the following Seven Secrets to create popular, cohesive murder mystery events.
Keep them in mind when developing your own plots.
SECRET #1: Give all suspects a motive.
Most people start investigating the "crime" by attempting to find the reason for the evil deed.
Every suspect in the plot line must have a good reason for wanting to do away with the victim.
SECRET #2: Use lots of red herrings.
Intentionally do what magicians do - use "misdirection" to take people down investigative paths that prove to be fruitless.
Each suspect should have at least two false leads built into his or her background information.
SECRET #3: Develop at least three story lines.
Within the total mystery plot, put together three story lines - separate stories about why and how smaller groupings of suspects know each other.
The story lines should expand on the suspects' motives.
SECRET #4: Provide information about only motive at the start of the investigation.
In the preliminary information that is given to the investigators, allude to the reasons "why" the suspects would want to murder the victim.
Save the specifics about the "how" and "when" until later.
SECRET #5: Use "means" and "opportunity" to identify the killer.
Since all suspects have motives for committing the crime, the specifics of the murder scene and the actions of the suspects will focus in on the guilty party.
SECRET #6: Be theatrical.
In writing style and in the information provided to investigators, be melodramatic.
Have fun with the plot and make tongue-in-cheek comments.
SECRET #7: Drop the "smoking gun" clue when the party is 75% over.
Too much information too soon will mean that the crime can be solved too quickly.
Hold back the last piece of critical information until the three-quarters point of the party.
This keeps the excitement going until the last sleuthing minute.
These secrets will make your mystery party one that is remembered for years.
They are the bases for my Murder Mystery Party Writing Workshop that will be shared with a select group of expert wordsmiths on the 2009 Murder Mystery Cruiseto exotic ports in the Eastern Caribbean.
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