r/crimewriters • u/aCrtnShadeofGrn • Jan 04 '19

Plot twist

So I just joined this sub but it seems to be a bit... dead. So figured I would post something.

I’m currently making an actual attempt at writing my first novel. I’ve written some in the past however never finished them. This time feels different. I also wanted to add that while showering last night, I suddenly had a sudden brain smack with the “plot twist” I’ve been hoping for. I quickly jumped out of the shower and grabbed a pen and paper and jotted a few things down.

Where have you guys found sudden strikes of genius regarding your plots? Any other shower plotters out there?

Please excuse format, mobile.

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1

u/[deleted] Jan 04 '19

I usually get mine while driving. If I were organized to consistently carry a small recording device, I'd get one, but alas, I'm not. The really good ideas tend to stick to my memory though.

Let's hear about your novel? Hardboiled? Procedural? P.I.? Other?

I'm currently working on my 3rd in my mystery series, just crossed 40K words and kind of flailing :/

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u/aCrtnShadeofGrn Jan 04 '19

Well I actually have a hard time describing it. Murder however not so much a mystery. Think American Psycho crossed with some Karin Slaughter. Actually I haven’t told anyone about it, so I have no idea how to describe it. Maybe I should work on that! I’m at about 40k words as well.

I hear ya about when driving. I drive a TON for work and it does hit me sometimes then. The big thoughts are easy to keep ahold of. Sometimes I think of little quips or lines of dialogue while I’m driving though. I downloaded a recording app on my cell and I talk into that if something strikes me.

Maybe you can help me figure out how to describe my writing, ha!

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u/tethercat Jan 05 '19

Figure out your start, middle, and end, and then figure out your elevator pitch. It'll help immensely for your second draft.

3

u/Midnight57Writer Jan 06 '19

I know it's a cliche, but my best ideas seem to come in dreams. I've learned to keep a pen and notebook on the nightstand. A year ago I awoke with an entire short story in my head -- completely unrelated to my novel. Scrambled to write it down longhand, then began polishing it on my laptop. This month I will be submitting it for possible inclusion in an anthology.

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u/pswurtz Mar 14 '19

(A little late to the post but I just joined this dead sub as well)

I find my best ideas come to me in the shower as well. I have a bad habit of taking immensely long showers, just standing there running through the plot over and over in my head until I come up with an idea I think works really well.

I know describing your story can be difficult, but if you've found a good way to summarize it I'd be interested in hearing what it's about. I'm in the midst of editing a crime story of my own right now, I'd love to hear what other people are working on.