Clichés lurk around every corner, ready to jump into you mystery uninvited. These overused plot devices, character types, and predictable twists dilute the suspense and diminish your mystery’s intrigue, turning an otherwise captivating narrative into a predictable story.

Clichés and tropes, once the scaffolding for groundbreaking mysteries, have, through their repetitive use, become the very elements that can stifle creativity and reader engagement. Their presence is often a sign of reliance on comfortable patterns rather than an exploration of new, uncharted narrative territories.

Yet, it’s crucial to understand that every cliché began as a fresh idea, and every trope was once an innovative twist. They only earned their less flattering title through excessive repetition in the hands of countless storytellers. For budding mystery authors, the true challenge lies not just in sidestepping common storytelling patterns but in reimagining them in unexpected and engaging ways that captivate contemporary readers.

Spot these hidden clichés in your writing and the tools to either steer clear or, better yet, refurbish them into elements that enhance your storytelling. By the end, you’ll see how reimagining familiar scenarios and character archetypes can not only evade the pitfalls of cliché but also elevate your mystery to a tantalizing enigma, begging to be unraveled.

Your readers do expect a mystery, so you want to deliver.

Continue reading HERE