Welcome to Professor Punsley's crash course on the most crucial element of any good whodunit: the plot twist. Without it, your mystery would be as dull as a butter knife.
By the end of this module, you'll be able to craft the perfect plot twist that'll leave your readers guessing (and cursing your name) until the very end.
Remember, the best plot twists often involve the most unlikely suspect. Take, for example, the classic 'it was the butler' trope. Who would've thought, right?
But don't just stop at the butler. Think about all the other possibilities. Was it the chef with a secret identity? The mysterious stranger in the shadows? The cat in the room (or is that a dog?)
The Butler Is Not Who I SayRed herrings are the unsung heroes of the plot twist world. They distract, they deceive, and they delight. But don't get too attached – they're just a smokescreen for the real culprit.
Learn how to plant your red herrings in the most unlikely places: the missing sock drawer, the suspiciously empty cookie jar, or the conveniently placed 'lost' key?
The Great Red Herring CaperMaster the art of misdirection, the ultimate plot twist trick. Distract your readers with an endless array of suspects, clues, and half-truths. Make them wonder if they've got it right all along.
But don't get too carried away – you want to misdirect, not mislead. The perfect plot twist should be like a well-tuned magic trick: surprising, yet inevitable.
The Masterclass of Misdirection: A Tutorial