The Art of the Murder Mystery Twist with Anthony Horowitz

TL;DR

Anthony Horowitz discusses the importance of twists in storytelling and offers advice for writing a compelling murder mystery.

Transcript

to anyone thinking of writing a murder mystery start with this simple formula a plus b equals c a equals one person b is another person C is the reason why a mode is B hello I'm Anthony Horowitz and I'm here with penguin to discuss the art of creating the perfect twist how did I become an author well I didn't really I was sort of born an author whe... Read More

Key Insights

• 📚 The love for mystery and surprise endings was ingrained in Anthony Horowitz at a young age when he discovered the works of Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie during his gap year travels.
• 🎞️ One of the greatest twists in film history is the ending of "Planet of the Apes" (1968), which completely reverses the viewer's expectations and changes their perception of the story and characters.
• 🚫 While twists can enhance a story, there is a danger in trying to be too clever and forcing twists into a book. The best twists are those that naturally arise from the story and make sense in retrospect.
• 🔎 A successful twist in a murder mystery involves leading readers down a certain path and then changing everything, challenging their preconceived notions and revealing that they have been seeing things wrong all along.
• ✍️ When writing a murder mystery, it is important for the author to know more than the reader and to use clues, character behavior, and misdirection to create a sense of surprise and satisfaction in the twist.
• 📖 The art of Agatha Christie lies in the fact that her twists are both surprising and fair to the reader. She hides the clues in plain sight and allows readers to feel a sense of satisfaction when they realize they could have guessed the twist.
• 💡 Ideas for stories and twists can come from anywhere, and Anthony Horowitz keeps an open mind to inspiration. He spends a significant amount of time planning his books before he starts writing, ensuring that all clues and surprises are in the right place. ⏰ There are no set rules or routines in Anthony Horowitz's writing process. He believes in complete absorption in the story, living inside the book and experiencing everything his characters do. He advises writers to enjoy the process and worry about other aspects later.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is a twist in storytelling and how does it impact the reader?

A twist is a surprising reversal or unexpected revelation that changes the reader's understanding of the story. It challenges their assumptions and can create a memorable and satisfying experience by defying expectations.

Q: Should writers force twists into their stories or let them develop naturally?

Horowitz advises against forcing twists into a story. Instead, a twist should naturally emerge from the narrative and be the result of careful planning and foreshadowing. Forcing a twist can feel contrived and detract from the overall enjoyment of the story.

Q: How does Anthony Horowitz ensure that his readers have a chance to guess the twist?

Horowitz aims to play 100% fair with his readers by including all the necessary clues and information throughout the story. He wants readers to have the opportunity to guess the twist, but also strives to ensure that it remains surprising and unexpected.

Q: Where does Anthony Horowitz get his ideas for his books?

Horowitz admits that he doesn't know where his ideas come from but acknowledges that he has an open mind that is receptive to inspiration. He spends a significant amount of time planning his books and making detailed notes before beginning the writing process.

Q: What advice does Anthony Horowitz give to writers regarding the writing process?

Horowitz emphasizes the importance of absorption and living inside the book while writing. He encourages writers to fully immerse themselves in the story, experiencing it through their characters' senses. He also suggests finding a process that works best for each individual writer, as there are no set rules in writing.

Q: How does Anthony Horowitz recommend starting the process of writing a murder mystery?

Horowitz suggests starting with a simple formula: A + B = C. A and B represent two people, while C is the reason why A murders B. He advises writers to begin with an original and intriguing idea for the core of the twist, and then expand from there, considering the worlds, backgrounds, and connections of the characters involved.

Q: What does Anthony Horowitz enjoy most about writing twists?

Horowitz loves surprising people and leading them down a certain path, only to reveal that their assumptions were incorrect. He finds enjoyment in challenging readers' expectations and making them think twice about what they have just read. However, he also cautions against relying solely on twists to carry a book and emphasizes the importance of a well-rounded story.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Anthony Horowitz shares his love for mystery and surprise endings, inspired by authors like Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie.

• He explains the concept of a twist and how it can change the reader's perception of the story.

• Horowitz emphasizes the importance of planning and fair play in constructing twists, while also encouraging originality and unexpected elements.