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Tips for non-murder mysteries
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Inspector Joseph
Inspector Joseph

Dec-2-2008 22:34

Are there any tips for writing a non-murder scripted mysteries. If so, please do share them.
Thanks

Replies

Ms Helen
Ms Helen
Con Artist

Dec-18-2008 14:48

Well for relationship you could just write Victim and I'm guessing your client has a reason for wanting to be a victim, whatever it be so you can make that your motive e.g victim wanted insurance money.

Secret_Squirrel
Secret_Squirrel
Safety Officer

Dec-18-2008 14:53

I think you could leave them blank.

You could put 'My client was above reproach' in the motive, and reveal his alibi as 'true' straight away from the Intro. I think you should be able to leave relationship blank.

Inspector Joseph
Inspector Joseph

Jan-11-2009 04:26

Hi! One more question. It was said that we can have more than one client. Likewise, can we have more than one case which is somehow connected to the other.

Anikka
Anikka
Babelfish

Jan-11-2009 09:53

I'm not sure if I understand what it is you want to accomplish. I mean, if you kill off suspects, it is still the same case, although (in real life) they are technically different cases.

Or are you referring to doing something like the Doomsayer's Trilogy, which is three different SMs that continue the same story?

Inspector Joseph
Inspector Joseph

Jan-11-2009 10:43

I actually meant that if there are two or more clients in the same SM and each client brings a totally different case but they are somehow connected to each other. In this case, the detective won't know the connection when they are on the initial stage but as they move forward, some twist, suspect, witness or research shows the connection. After knowing that, solving the mystery would be a piece of cake (if you don't need further details, clues, evidence) against your man. Hope I explained it well. This idea just came to mind, the aim was to make the SMs more fun.
Thanks

Breitkat
Breitkat
Pinball Amateur

Jan-11-2009 17:31

From what I'm reading, yes, I think it's possible. There are several authors out there who have worked on something similar. (Again, my take on your description could be way out in left field, so take it for what it's worth. ;-)

Secret_Squirrel
Secret_Squirrel
Safety Officer

Jan-11-2009 19:39

I'm not sure I understand at all.

Do you mean multiple SM's that are linked together by their characters? Like Doomsayers?

or (more likely) Do you mean multiple 'clients' within an SM, forming multiple story lines, each storyline having some unique characters as well as some shared characters between each storyline, that together fomr one master storyline for the greater SM?

or some permutation of the above that I haven't yet fathomed...


Anikka
Anikka
Babelfish

Jan-11-2009 21:50

Squirrel, I believe he means your second, longer explanation.

In which case Joseph, yes, it's entirely possible to do. However, it will take much longer to write -- let me rephrase. It HAD BETTER take much longer to write, because if you've got a long, tangled, confusing web of storylines and you can bang it all out in a few days, the quality will rightfully be questionable.

In any case, yes, you can do it. Multiple storylines, scads of suspects, crossing and diverging evidence... have at it!!

Secret_Squirrel
Secret_Squirrel
Safety Officer

Jan-11-2009 22:27

oh good, in that case... ^ what she said.

Inspector Joseph
Inspector Joseph

Jan-23-2009 04:30

Hello! One more question! I think questions keep on arising as we move forward. Here you go. Can we use explanations regarding atmosphere, character's description etc. in the FM like we do in role playing stage?
I haven't read many of them but I like it and wanted to use them in a mystery. Just tell me if we are allowed.

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