Hiding the Story's True Meaning in Plain Sight

Patrick Greenwood - Cyclist, Writer, Espresso Lover, and Podcaster - shares why hiding the story's true meaning in plain sight isn't a bad idea.

This strategy is an unorthodox plan to solve the mystery. Misdirection should sound fine. It provides logical directions based on current circumstances. No readers' perceptions become disturbed or suspicious as they think they are doing something they did themselves. Sometimes misunderstandings are due in part to a lack of vital info or deliberate plotting by villains. The characters usually go wrong to find the perfect route.

The mystery involves generating hidden things that have not been discovered and serving as evidence of their existence. You might think that rooms of this size can hide spies, but you're wrong when I learn. Some suspend judgment when mysteries arise. 

That's one thing I love about the expertly written mysteries. All dialogs and introspective work have double-edged swords. Truth and lies come with a price. Naturally, a person never knows who's who. It's awesome! Claims can be planted into dialogue without apparent discovery. Generally speaking, the reader will be less alert while reading the text. The time is right for something essential to getting into everyday conversations if you need clarification on your topic.

We skip to the subject of characters. Both need strength to match and enhance the story's mystery. The two should be considered mysterious and belong to a secret.

Clues are everywhere

There are many clues that nobody can see but never observe or remember when reading. This aspect requires practice in order to perfect. Major plot elements are necessary to add to the book. I like the process of adding small details after the story is written. Finding the best hiding place makes sense when you have a good plot. It requires some special editing, but the effort will pay off.

The book's cover image clarifies a vital indication that cannot be found anywhere else. Visibility can be beneficial in disguise. Timing is effective in detecting actions in a chaotic environment. This hint is given, but the more vital elements in the scene overshadow it.

Like any story, the true meaning is found with the reader, not the author. Critical interpretation and the fun that goes along with the readers drawing their conclusions is part of the writing mantra. As writers, we hope readers can somehow associate or connect with the story on some level. Leading clues, making suggestions, or even dropping a hint at the tale's end hopefully inspires the reader to follow the next book in the series!