My mystery plot was just some scattered notebook notes until I tried this method.
In this video, I use:
- a mandala chart,
- the One Page Novel story structure,
- and a worksheet from my Manuscript at Midnight collection,
to outline the mystery subplot of my dark academia novel.
Mystery Plot Method
- Divide your page into a 9×9 grid (or download the printable in the Coterie).
- Write a brief description of your mystery in the central square.
- If you don’t know what your mystery is about, create Resolution and Stasis states (following the One Page Novel method).
- Keep it simple. For example:
STASIS: an important item is missing
RESOLUTION: the important item is reinstated/replaced - You can also find inspiration in the mystery ideas list.
- Assign each of the surrounding squares to a stage of the One Page Novel. Clockwise from top left: Resolution, Stasis, Trigger, Quest, Bolt, Shift, Defeat, Power.
- Fill in each stage according to how the mystery evolves.
- Copy your notes from step 4 into the corresponding central squares of the surrounding grids.
- Fill in each of the 8 squares surrounding the central squares from #5.
- You can use the One Page Novel stages again if you feel you need more structure.
- Otherwise, you can simply note down what information needs to be established in order to solve or develop the “mini-mystery”.
- Branch out into further fractal plot grids (by adding more pages) whenever you want to deepen any aspect of the mystery.
☞ For further examples of how to plant clues, see How to Suspect Everyone (Agatha Christie style).
