Sleuth Home - Message Boards - Writer's Workshop

Dec-2-2008 22:34

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

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!!

Jan-11-2009 22:27

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

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.

Jan-23-2009 09:21

Scripted mysteries should have a "plot", just like a book does. Your SM is a story - think of it as writing a book of sorts. Setting atmosphere is very important to drawing people in and increasing their enjoyment. Character descriptions - not just physical but of attitude as well - is very helpful to making the player/reader understand the character's reasons for what they do. It also makes your mystery more interesting, so feel free to use descriptives as much as you like. If it gets to be too much (very unlikely), we'll let you know. :-)

Jan-24-2009 16:59

word good, blank bad, ugh.

Feb-5-2009 13:46

There are some special items unlocked by finishing some SMs successfully.
Firstly, if someone writes a wonderful mystery, will they be rewarded by some special equipment or will there be a special equipment unlocked by completing that SM?
Secondly, are these items created by Admin's choice or by the author's choice.
Thanks

Feb-5-2009 14:57

Special Items received through SM's are rare. SM authors can always suggest to Ben an idea for a reward if they have something in mind.

Feb-6-2009 04:10

Those SMs which unlock special items must be special too. The plot of the story should be wonderful. The twists should really be twisting to confuse the players. The suspects and witnesses must clam up on their first or second question and the test chances for tough or charm should be below 30%.
Doesn't a special SM requires all these things?
I can list many other things but right now this much is enough.
Anyone who knows better, please correct me if I'm wrong.

Apr-7-2009 21:05

I really doubt that Ben would allow another special items reward through SMs, unless we're at a professional writer level with an excellent line of stories like what Michael Bergen did. However, there's no harm in trying.

As to: "The test chances for tough or charm should be below 30%." That's really tough. I set one of my suspect in my SM at 30% and got one of my friend to test it, and even with all the tough skills and purg he still couldn't get through. I ended up raising the number just so people doesn't need to redo the SM again. I personally wouldn't want to waste another case on the same SM for this reason.

Apr-8-2009 23:25

^ Below 30% is about as low as I like to go and still guarantees nothing. People should be able to fail though. Just like an AI mystery. You don't always solve EVERY case you play. On harder SM's it doesn't hurt players to have to Judge of Character suspects. Usually there is an obvious choice to make.