Are you looking to add some suspense and intrigue to your writing? Look no further than the art of adding red herrings! A red herring is a literary device used to mislead the reader and create suspense by suggesting that something other than the truth is happening. It’s a great way to keep your readers on the edge of their seats, guessing until the very end. In this article, we’ll explore the different techniques for adding red herrings to your writing, so you can create a captivating and suspenseful story that will keep your readers hooked. Whether you’re writing a mystery, thriller, or any other genre, the art of adding red herrings is a skill you won’t want to miss.
Introduction to Red Herrings
Definition and Purpose
What is a red herring?
A red herring is a literary device that is used to distract the reader from the main plot or clue in a story. It is often used to create suspense or mystery, and it can take many forms, such as a false lead, a misdirection, or a piece of information that seems important but turns out to be irrelevant. The term “red herring” comes from the practice of using a smoked herring to distract hunting dogs, leading them away from the actual prey.
Why use red herrings in writing?
Red herrings can be a powerful tool for writers, as they can help to build suspense and keep readers engaged. By adding red herrings to a story, writers can create a sense of uncertainty and unpredictability, which can make the story more exciting and satisfying for readers. Red herrings can also help to create a more complex and layered narrative, as they can add depth and complexity to the plot and characters. Additionally, red herrings can be used to misdirect readers and keep them from guessing the outcome of the story, which can make the resolution more satisfying when it is finally revealed.
Types of Red Herrings
Red Herrings are intentional misdirections used in writing to lead readers away from the main plot or important details. They can be a powerful tool in creating suspense and tension, as well as keeping readers engaged. There are several types of Red Herrings that can be used in writing:
- Diversionary Tactics: These Red Herrings are used to distract the reader from the main plot or important details. They can be used to create false leads or to hide important information. For example, a writer may introduce a character who seems to be important to the plot, but is actually a diversion from the main story.
- Misdirection: This type of Red Herring is used to lead the reader in the wrong direction by making them focus on something that is not important to the plot. For example, a writer may introduce a character who seems to be the main suspect in a crime, but is actually unrelated to the plot.
- False Leads: These Red Herrings are used to mislead the reader by providing false information or clues. For example, a writer may introduce a piece of evidence that seems to be important to the plot, but is actually a red herring and has no bearing on the story.
Using these different types of Red Herrings can add depth and complexity to a story, while also keeping readers engaged and guessing. However, it is important to use them judiciously, as too many Red Herrings can confuse and frustrate readers.
Adding Red Herrings: Techniques and Strategies
Planting Clues
When it comes to adding red herrings to your writing, one of the most effective techniques is to plant clues throughout your story or article. These clues can take many forms, from foreshadowing to symbolism to hidden messages. By using these techniques strategically, you can create a sense of mystery and intrigue that keeps your readers engaged and guessing until the very end.
Foreshadowing
Foreshadowing is a technique that involves hinting at events or developments that will occur later in the story. This can be done through dialogue, actions, or even the narrative itself. For example, if a character is seen looking at a map with a specific location circled, this could be a clue that they will later travel to that location.
Symbolism
Symbolism is another powerful tool for planting clues in your writing. By using symbols to represent larger ideas or themes, you can create a richer, more nuanced story that keeps readers guessing. For example, a white dove might symbolize peace, while a black crow might symbolize death or decay. By using these symbols strategically, you can create a world that feels more real and complex.
Hidden Messages
Finally, hidden messages can be a great way to add depth and complexity to your writing. These messages can take many forms, from coded messages to cryptograms to subtle visual cues. By embedding these messages throughout your story, you can create a sense of mystery and intrigue that keeps readers coming back for more.
Overall, planting clues is a powerful technique for adding red herrings to your writing. By using foreshadowing, symbolism, and hidden messages strategically, you can create a story that keeps readers engaged and guessing until the very end.
Building Suspense
Building Tension
- Introduce a potentially dangerous situation
- Slowly escalate the tension by introducing complications
- Create a sense of urgency
Raising Questions
- Plant seeds of doubt and curiosity
- Use open-ended questions to provoke thought
- Introduce plot twists to keep readers guessing
Creating Mystery
- Utilize symbolism and foreshadowing
- Hide important information from the reader
- Use unreliable narrators to create uncertainty
These techniques can be used individually or in combination to build suspense and keep readers engaged in the story. The key is to use them effectively, without revealing too much too soon or causing confusion and frustration. By carefully crafting the use of red herrings, writers can create a sense of intrigue and suspense that keeps readers invested in the story until the very end.
Maintaining Unpredictability
One of the most important aspects of adding red herrings to your writing is maintaining unpredictability. A successful red herring should keep the reader guessing and create a sense of uncertainty about the direction of the story. Here are some techniques to help you achieve this:
Keeping the reader guessing
To keep the reader guessing, you should avoid revealing too much information too soon. This means that you should withhold important details or clues until the right moment in the story. This will help to create a sense of tension and suspense, as the reader will be left wondering what will happen next.
Creating twists and turns
Another way to maintain unpredictability is by creating twists and turns in the story. This means that you should introduce new information or events that change the direction of the story. For example, you might introduce a new character who provides a crucial piece of information that changes the course of the story. Or, you might introduce a new piece of evidence that leads the reader down a false path.
Avoiding predictable outcomes
To avoid predictable outcomes, you should avoid using clichés or predictable plot devices. This means that you should avoid using well-worn tropes or predictable plot twists. Instead, you should try to come up with new and original ideas that will keep the reader guessing.
Overall, maintaining unpredictability is crucial to the success of your red herrings. By keeping the reader guessing, creating twists and turns, and avoiding predictable outcomes, you can create a sense of tension and suspense that will keep the reader engaged and invested in the story.
Creating Believable Red Herrings
Making the Red Herring Plausible
In order to create a believable red herring, it is important to make it seem like a legitimate possibility. This can be achieved by adding enough detail and intrigue to the red herring to make it seem like a viable option. It is also important to consider the context of the story and the audience’s expectations, as this will impact how plausible the red herring appears.
Using Details and Clues
Details and clues are crucial in creating a believable red herring. These details should be woven into the story in a way that makes them seem important, without giving away the fact that they are meant to mislead the reader. It is important to be subtle and to drop hints only when it is necessary to move the story forward.
Building Credibility
To create a believable red herring, it is important to build credibility for the potential culprit or suspect. This can be done by providing background information, motivation, and a reason for the character to be involved in the crime or mystery. The more credible the red herring appears, the more likely the reader will be to fall for the misdirection.
In summary, creating a believable red herring requires making it plausible, using details and clues, and building credibility for the potential culprit or suspect. By following these techniques, writers can add depth and intrigue to their stories, while also keeping their readers guessing.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
When it comes to adding red herrings to your writing, there are several common mistakes that you should avoid. These mistakes can detract from the effectiveness of your red herrings and potentially give away the game too early. Here are some of the most common mistakes to watch out for:
Overuse of red herrings
One of the most common mistakes when it comes to adding red herrings to your writing is overuse. It’s important to remember that red herrings should be used sparingly and strategically. If you use too many red herrings, they may lose their impact and become predictable to the reader. Instead, focus on using a few well-placed red herrings that will keep the reader engaged and guessing.
Unrealistic red herrings
Another mistake to avoid is using unrealistic red herrings. Red herrings should be believable and plausible within the context of your story. If your red herrings are too far-fetched or unrealistic, they may not be effective in misdirecting the reader. Take the time to carefully consider the plausibility of your red herrings and ensure that they fit within the parameters of your story.
Giving away the game too early
Finally, it’s important to avoid giving away the game too early. A successful red herring should keep the reader guessing until the end. If you reveal too much too soon, the reader may lose interest or become disengaged. Instead, keep your red herrings subtle and leave enough room for the reader to draw their own conclusions. This will help to maintain the suspense and keep the reader engaged until the final reveal.
Examples of Successful Red Herrings
- Examples from literature
- “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd” by Agatha Christie
- In this novel, Christie uses a red herring in the form of a character who is revealed to be innocent, leading the reader to doubt their own assumptions and keep reading to find the true culprit.
- “And Then There Were None” by Agatha Christie
- This novel features a red herring in the form of a character who is initially presented as the killer, but is later revealed to be a red herring, leading the reader to question their assumptions and look for more clues.
- “The Moonstone” by Wilkie Collins
- This novel employs a red herring in the form of a character who is suspected of theft, but is later revealed to be innocent, adding to the mystery and keeping the reader engaged.
- “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd” by Agatha Christie
- Examples from film and television
- “Murder on the Orient Express” (2017)
- In this film, the director uses a red herring in the form of a character who is revealed to be innocent, leading the audience to doubt their own assumptions and keep watching to find the true culprit.
- “Knives Out” (2019)
- This film features a red herring in the form of a character who is initially presented as the killer, but is later revealed to be a red herring, leading the audience to question their assumptions and look for more clues.
- “How to Get Away with Murder” (TV series)
- This show employs a red herring in the form of a character who is suspected of murder, but is later revealed to be innocent, adding to the mystery and keeping the audience engaged.
- “Murder on the Orient Express” (2017)
- Examples from real-life cases
- The Lindbergh Baby Case
- In this case, the police initially suspected a wrong man of being the culprit, leading the public to believe he was guilty. However, further investigation revealed that the true culprit was someone else, leading to a major breakthrough in the case.
- The Case of the Black Dahlia
- This case involved a young woman who was brutally murdered and dismembered, and the police initially suspected a wrong man of being the culprit. However, the case remained unsolved for many years until new evidence came to light, leading to the eventual conviction of the true killer.
- The Zodiac Killer Case
- This case involved a serial killer who taunted the police with cryptic messages and symbols, leading investigators to pursue numerous false leads and suspects. However, the case remained unsolved until DNA evidence linked the killer to one of the victims.
- The Lindbergh Baby Case
FAQs
1. What is a red herring in writing?
A red herring is a literary device used in writing to mislead the reader, often by providing false clues or distractions. It is typically used to create suspense or to conceal the identity of the culprit in a mystery or thriller. The term “red herring” comes from the practice of using a smoked herring as a trail to lead hunting dogs off the scent of the real trail.
2. Why use a red herring in writing?
Red herrings can be used to add suspense and excitement to a story, as well as to keep the reader guessing. They can also be used to create false leads or to divert the reader’s attention from the important details. By using a red herring, the writer can keep the reader engaged and make the story more interesting.
3. How do you add a red herring to a story?
To add a red herring to a story, the writer must first decide what they want to mislead the reader about. This could be the identity of the culprit, the motive for a crime, or any other important detail. Once the writer has decided on the details they want to conceal, they can start planting false clues or distractions throughout the story. These clues should be plausible enough to fool the reader, but ultimately misleading.
4. Can red herrings be used in any genre?
Red herrings can be used in any genre, but they are most commonly associated with mystery and thriller stories. They can also be used in other genres, such as romance or science fiction, to create suspense or to mislead the reader.
5. Is it important to provide a satisfying resolution after a red herring?
Yes, it is important to provide a satisfying resolution after a red herring. The reader should be able to look back at the story and see how the false clues and distractions fit together, and how they contributed to the overall plot. If the resolution is not satisfying, the reader may feel cheated or dissatisfied with the story.
