Q&A for How to Write a Short Detective Story

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How do I introduce the detective?

Community Answer

Main characters can be introduced in a combination of ways. Some can wake up in the middle of night because of a call, some can be at work and be given a case, or the detective could be talking to a friend or a coworker and he/she decides to investigate. I'd come up with a several good ones and then list them, pick out your favorites/easiest ones and then do the same thing again until you end up with one.

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Question

What do you need to add to your writing to make it a detective story?

Community Answer

Add suspense. Don't make it so a reader picks up the story, but leaves it after two minutes. Add dialogue, vivid descriptions, and a link between evidence and points.

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Question

Can I write a story if I'm only 14 and I am the main character?

Community Answer

Sure, you don't have to be any particular age to write a story, and many people base their characters on themselves.

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Question

How do I end a crime novel?

Community Answer

You can either end it with the detective finding out who the criminal was, or you could put a twist in and at the end someone could tell the detective that the criminal was killed, thereby ending the novel on an ellipsis.

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Question

What is an example of a good crime scene with an unexpected twist in the story?

Community Answer

One example is that the detective who is the first one on the scene turns out to be the killer.

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Question

How do I finish off my detective story?

Community Answer

The detective puts all the clues together so the reader knows the solution to the mystery.

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Question

How can I plan the beginning, middle, and end of a detective story?

Community Answer

Many short detective stories follow this format: The crime is committed in the beginning. The middle of your story is the climax, and a resolution comes at the end.

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Question

Can I write the story in first person?

Community Answer

Absolutely, this is common.

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Question

Do I need to start the story with the crime?

Ellie

Community Answer

No. You might just start by introducing the character(s), instead. Some people prefer to delve into the action headfirst, though. It is up to you.

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Question

What is an example of a good opener for a detective story?

Community Answer

Silence. Maybe have it at the start of the crime scene, to add tension and show that people are shocked about the crime or maybe paying respect for someone who did as a victim of a crime.

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Question

I'm writing a story. And I've almost reached my maximum length of 1300 words. I want to add more character though. What should I do?

Community Answer

Add the section about the character and see how long the story is. If you find it too long, revise and omit parts of the story that you think can be removed. Or try and choose words that mean something that you used two words for. This can add a lot of extra space if it works!

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