Write like a detective: How to craft gripping stories
5 ways you can use psychology to keep your readers on the edge of their seat!
📝 561 words. ⏳ Estimated reading time: 4 minutes.Hey there, fellow novel writers!
Today, I’m sharing a mindset shift that will unlock incredible opportunities.
You might be intrigued by this opening line. If so, remember: this isn’t a trick—it’s science.
Do you agree that you only have a few seconds to make a strong impression at a party?
The same goes for your writing.
We live in a world filled with distraction. Your opening line is like your handshake with the reader. If it’s great, the reader will tell you, “Hey, I want to keep reading!”
This is the first goal you want to achieve with your book, isn’t it?
The 5 secrets
Secret #1 — Use the Zeigarnik effect
Bluma Zeigarnik was a Lithuanian-Soviet psychologist who noted that interrupted activities are more easily recalled. People remember unfinished tasks better than completed ones. This became known as the “Zeigarnik Effect”.
Let’s make an example. Let’s say this is what you wrote:
Detective Doe found the incriminating evidence and immediately began reviewing it. He felt a sense of relief as he knew this would help solve the case.
The detective immediately reviews new evidence, and it’s crucial to close the case against the bad guy. Boring.
This is what comes to mind when I apply the Zeigarnik Effect to that statement:
As Detective Doe reached for the incriminating evidence, the power abruptly went out, plunging the room into darkness.
What happens now? Why the blackout in Doe’s office? What was he about to discover? I want to keep reading.
Stieg Larsson applied this rule in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo:
The clock ticked down, and the thief was about to escape when—
When I read it, I thought, “What’s going to happen to the thief now?”
Secret #2 - Evoke emotions
Reading fiction is an emotional journey. Fictional books transport readers into the hearts and minds of characters, allowing us to feel their joys, sorrows, and struggles as our own.
This is what makes those books bestsellers!
That’s why a line like
Jenny felt a deep, gut-wrenching sorrow. It weighed heavily on her heart. She never thought she’d lose her best to a crime she could have stopped.
could deeply affect the reader.
If so, you won a point!
Secret #3: Challenge assumptions
Murder stories are sad.
There’s a victim, their family, and the killer will be caught. Their lives will undergo significant changes, not for the better.
This is the assumption we all make.
You can challenge it, like Donna Tartt did in The Secret History:
The best thing that ever happened to me was the murder of my friend.
I don’t have to comment on this topic further!
Secret #4: Create a knowledge gap
Do you like puzzles?
Our brains love them. So it’s a good idea to use something that makes your reader curious!
If you read The Da Vinci Code, you might remember this line:
The last thing I expected to find in my grandmother’s attic was a hidden diary filled with secrets.
Doesn’t it create a knowledge gap in the reader? What secrets? Why were they hidden in the attic?
Secret #5: Use shock factor
Aren’t most readers looking for surprise, excitement, and an adrenaline rush?
Offer them to your audience whenever possible:
He left his office at 6 PM, as usual. Another normal and boring day, as usual. When at home, he was concerned. Why he couldn’t smell the dinner? “Evelyn? I’m home!” No response. Unusual, very unusual. He walked to the bedroom to change his clothes, wondering where she was. She was lying on their bed, blood all around, a note clutched in her hand.
Paula Hawkins is much better than me in The Girl on the Train:
I was a mess, but I didn’t care. I couldn’t look away from the scene in front of me. The police were everywhere. There was a body in the yard.
How do I practice this?
I’ve found a way to put suggestions and ideas into action when I write.
I called it the “ERROR” method.
I know, the name is horrible, but I haven’t come up with something better yet!
ERROR stands for Experiment, Review, Revise, Observe, Repeat.
Experiment: I play with words to see what works best for me!
Review: I share small parts of my crime novel with friends whose opinion I value. They help me understand where they want to read more.
Revise: I’m not scared to change lines until I’m satisfied.
Observe: I know published novels are a great source of inspiration. Reading brought me to writing!
Repeat: I hope I don’t sound like I’m bragging, but I know: the more I practice, the better I’ll get!
See you soon!
Before we part, remember: don’t be afraid to take risks.
Writing is an adventure with surprises around the corner. Play with words to maintain your readers’ interest.
Don’t copy from others: let your voice shine and refine your skills!
Excited to see where your writing goes next!
Happy writing and see you soon!
—Simone
P.S.
Hey, did you alread grab my everything-you-need-to-know about character archetypes? No? It’s also free—what are you waiting for? Take it now!