Misdirection That Plays Fair with the Reader

Categories: Characters | Mystery | Suspense

Misdirection keeps readers guessing while fair play keeps them satisfied. Saralyn Richard, Jill Orr, Mariah Fredericks, and Rich Zahradnik explore how to design red herrings that surprise without cheating the reader. This session focuses on balancing intrigue, logic, and payoff to create mysteries that feel clever and earned.

To access this content, please sign up as a member.

Check out these other resources:

Why We Love the Villain

Why We Love the Villain

Angela K. Durden, Charles Kowalski, Jim Nesbitt, Linda Sands, Max Allan Collins, and Reavis Z. Wortham explore what makes villains unforgettable. They discuss complexity, motivation, and the qualities that turn antagonists into some of the most memorable characters in...

What Your Protagonist Wants and Why It Matters

What Your Protagonist Wants and Why It Matters

Becki Willis, Chris Berg, Lori Robbins, Mary Dutta, Randy Weir, and S. Lee Manning explore how clear, believable goals give your protagonist purpose and momentum. They discuss how motivation, point of view, and inner conflict work together to move a story forward and...

Mastering the Red Herring

Mastering the Red Herring

A well-placed red herring can keep readers guessing. A poorly placed one can frustrate them. In this craft-driven discussion, G.M. Malliet and fellow mystery writers explore how to use misdirection with precision. They share techniques for planting false leads,...