Comment from estory

Exceptional

Great essay. Concise, clear, well laid out, with wonderful examples to go along with the explanations of the techniques. Great advice for those who like suspense and mystery; I think these techniques are essential there. Some of your writing is a perfect example of this kind of technique. estory

 Comment Written 30-Jan-2023

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reply by the author on 31-Jan-2023

Many thanks for the great response to this piece. G

Comment from davisr (Rhonda)

Exceptional

Lovely summarization of techniques in misdirection. I love this element of literature, and try to work it into my writing as well. Some of what you described I try to do, but seeing it put the way you have done, helps to solidify the techniques. In other parts, you've given me whole new ideas.

Thanks for pointing out what we need to know as writers.

Take care,
Rhonda

 Comment Written 30-Jan-2023

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reply by the author on 31-Jan-2023

Many thanks for the super response Rhonda. G

Comment from PoemsOfDD

Excellent

I enjoyed reading this brief chapter on all the relevant points that can be applied to conjuring up a good story line and one that can hold the readers interest. It made me realize that good writing is a bit like a magician performing clever tricks. It also confirms to me that I should stick to writing poetry. Thank you for sharing this informative read.

 Comment Written 30-Jan-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Jan-2023

I don't know, there's just as much magic and mastery involved in writing poetry. lol Maybe more. Many thanks. G

Comment from Bill Schott

Excellent

This piece, Wait... What?, says a lot of great things about misdirection, while providing valid examples of the same. I love it when an author tricks me into thinking one thing, and then questioning that, and making me go back to see if there are clues to this deception. Neat article here.

 Comment Written 30-Jan-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Jan-2023

I like it when you can spot the breadcrumbs left. However, it it comes so out of left-field with nothing there, it' just a cheap trick. Many thanks, Bill. G

Comment from Jay Squires

Excellent

This is one of your better tutorials, G, and I've been a big fan of all of them. A couple of things:

A more recent example of the red herring at play can be witnessed in the Harry Potter [... in THE (?) Harry Potter]

The term originates from a technique from training horses and dogs to mask other smells. [Now, I did not know that! You might want to explain it better, though, since "training horses and dogs to mask other smells," doesn't explain it. I actually thought it was because herrings aren't normally red.]

I'll need to study your examples of the works that used the various methods of misdirection. There's a lot to learn here.

Jay

 Comment Written 29-Jan-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Jan-2023

It was used to mask the smell of rabbits from hunting dogs and in getting horses used to weird smells before they went to perform as dressage etc and also hunting.

Much appreciate, as always, Jay.
G

Comment from Katherine M. (k-11)

Excellent

And so you have given us another feast of how to improve our writing, coupled with a selected reading list to help us on our way. I have problems at the moment finding concentration span for reading, and my bedroom here is overflowing with books, so the list will have to wait... but I appreciate it anyway, as I hope you know. kay

 Comment Written 29-Jan-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Jan-2023

I always have too many books, it's like an obsession, lol Much appreciated, as always. G

reply by Katherine M. (k-11) on 30-Jan-2023

But a good obsession for writers/wanna be writers to have I think. Imagine the horror of a day where you didn't have a choice of what you fancied reading! kay

Comment from Spitfire

Exceptional

Thanks again for giving writers clues as to what can make their short stories and novels riveting. I like that you give examples from these genres. I was familiar with all except McIntosh. Now I want to find a copy of that story and read it.

 Comment Written 29-Jan-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Jan-2023

Many thanks for the great response. I always like to be surprised when I read but have more satisfaction going back and finding the breadcrumbs. G

Comment from w.j.debi

Excellent

You start off with a great title. It caught my attention and the subtitle made me open the piece to see just what you had to offer. I expected a story. Instead, I found some great advice on writing technique.

Thanks so much for sharing your expertise.

 Comment Written 29-Jan-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Jan-2023

Much appreciated, as always. G

Comment from Heather Knight

Excellent

Good text and examples. I like the last line and I think it's very true.
I didn't know the origin of the expression of red herring.
Thanks for the information.

 Comment Written 29-Jan-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Jan-2023

Everything is about balance, all the time! lol Much appreciated. G

Comment from royowen

Excellent

I noticed a long tome ago the English murder mysteries are adept at this, the two drama series I had in mind are Midsommer murders and Vera. There are a few red herrings in their, in picking the murderer, I eventually choose the least obvious character, because the tricks of writing are expected, and quite often I'm right, not because of cleverness on my part, but suspicion of the writers. Beautifully written, blessings Roy

 Comment Written 29-Jan-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Jan-2023

Conan Dole was a great exponent of these in Sherlock Holmes stories, Agatha Christie too. Roald Dahl was very adept, especially with his 'Tales of the Unexpected'. Much appreciated, Roy. G

reply by royowen on 30-Jan-2023

Most welcome