There are plenty of things you and your characters don’t hide. Things in plain sight for the reader to see, learn, know, identify with, believe in, understand. Some are true. Some are false.
What’s real? What’s not? What’s hidden? What’s in plain sight? As the writer, you have to play fair. That doesn’t necessarily mean revealing all up front, but it does mean revealing. At some point. To the reader. Characters may continue to hide things from each other, but eventually the reader needs to know the truth, to know whether they were right or wrong.
Some things you the author can reveal right up front. Look, here it is. But although revealed, it’s still hidden. In among all the other revelations. All the other clues, emotions, pieces of the truth, objects, colors.
(This picture is my first Free Domain capture. It’s by Petr Kratochvil.)
What is your favorite way to hide things from the reader while still playing fair?
I think I'm very plain. Never try to hide much and always say the whole truth. Wouldn't make a good mystery writer in a million years.
ReplyDeleteI like Christie's method of introducing a clue but having it seem insignificant...next to the red herring "clue" that you introduce immediately afterward.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
I might lay out a clue early in the book, and in such a way that a person might miss it, then I leave it alone. Through out the book that clue in playing, hidden, in the background, only to show it's face in the end as a significant piece of information. Basically, I want the reader to forget about the clue, and only remember it when I call it to their attention later.
ReplyDeleteI think sometimes even I don't know until later in the book what my character has hiding... Then you have to go back and weave it all in so it makes more sense. I guess that's the problem with being the type of writer who doesn't outline first...
ReplyDeleteI will reveal a character's emotional hangup without revealing the true source or reason for that hangup.
ReplyDeleteL. Diane Wolfe “Spunk On A Stick”
www.circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com
My clues or red herrings usually appear in casual dialogue early on in the story and, if I don't know the killer's identity until late in the plot, I plant clues in the second draft.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I don't realize I've left a clue until one of my characters does something later in the story. Other times, I plant them carefully as soon as possible. And like someone else said, sometimes I add them on second draft.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photo!
I'd have to go with Carol's answer. It seems to change with what I'm writing.
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Helen, on tackling the package and 'skyping'!
The trick is to make the reader read the last few pages (or page) and say, "Ooooh, yeah! I wondered about that!"
ReplyDeleteReaders are pretty savvy--fooling them is tough.
I think you're right, Jack. Readers look for the clues, so it's more difficult to hide them - but still possible. Every book hides something, even if it's just the ending.
ReplyDeleteI am another fan of the Christie method of putting something significant with many things that aren't. In my stories it's sometimes what a character doesn't say or doesn't do that's important.
ReplyDeleteElspeth
I like that idea Elspeth. Something that isn't there is the clue that's left.
ReplyDeleteI tend to drop clues along the way like bread crumbs, but unforutnaltey in very tall grass. And since I'm an anal planner everything is sorted out beforehand. I'm curious how much re-writing must be done when characters suddenly change the plot. With mystery I find planning is paramount, including planning where to hide clues.
ReplyDeleteI like the mentioning of something insignificant early in the book. It's not until much later you realize it has HUGE significance. that's always a great element in a mystery book to me.
ReplyDeleteMarvin D Wilson
I don't really plan out my clues. I plan out my plot, and then write. The reader tends to discover the clues at the same time the detective does. I try to use misdirection to keep them guessing though.
ReplyDeleteI think the slow reveal is important for all aspects of story in all types of stories. For character development, for setting, for plot, as well as for clues.
~jon
Playing fair is very important in mysteries, so I have to be careful never to hide any clues from the reader if it's something the protagonist knows. When I tried to end a chapter with my sleuth finding something important but not revealing what it was (fully intending to tell more in the next chapter), my editor said no way.
ReplyDeleteSo for mysteries at least, the reader needs to have the same information as the protagonist (or detective) and a fair chance to solve the crime.
I'm not a mystery writer so I can't speak to this. But I will say that I love to read books that get me right at the very end (like Shutter Island or The Life of Pi) where, when I've gotten to the final revelation, I'm not sure whether I want to throw the book across the room or start reading it all over again :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm not a mystery writer so I can't speak to this. But I will say that I love to read books that get me right at the very end (like Shutter Island or The Life of Pi) where, when I've gotten to the final revelation, I'm not sure whether I want to throw the book across the room or start reading it all over again :-)
ReplyDeleteI agree, Lisa, the ending is so important. If I get to the end and I'm frustrated or unsatisfied, it can ruin the whole story.
ReplyDelete