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12 Red Herrings to Keep Your Readers Distracted

I’ve seen mystery/thriller authors use the same handful of red herrings too many times to count. So here are some (hopefully not as common) red herrings for your writing. 

1. The Unreliable Narrator's Bias

Your narrator can play favourites and scheme and twist the way your readers interpret the story. Use this to your advantage! A character portrayed as untrustworthy can really be someone innocent the narrator framed, vice versa. 

2. The Loyal Traitor

A character with a history of betrayal or questionable loyalty is an obvious suspect. They did it once, they could do it again, right? Wrong! They’ve actually changed and the real traitor is someone you trusted. 

3. The Conflicted Expert

An expert—like a detective, scientist, or historian—analyses a piece of evidence. They’re ultimately wrong, either due to bias, missing data, or pressure to provide quick answers.

4. The Overly Competent Ally

You know that one sidekick or ally who’s somehow always ahead of the curve? They’re just really knowledgeable, your characters know this, but it makes it hard to trust them. Perfection is suspicious! But in this case, they’re actually just perfect. 

5. The Misleading Emotional Clue

Maybe one of your characters is seen crying, angry, or suspiciously happy after xyz event. Characters suspect them, but turns out they’re just having a personal issue. (People have lives outside of yours MC smh). Or it could be a cover-up. 

6. A Misleading Alibi

At first this character’s alibi seems perfect but once the protag digs into it, it has a major hole/lie. Maybe they were in a different location or the person they claimed to be with was out of town. 

7. The Odd Pattern

Have a seemingly significant pattern—symbols left at crime scenes, items stolen in a specific order, crimes on specific dates. Then make it deliberately planted to mislead.

8. The Misinterpreted Relationship

A character was secretly close to a victim/suspect, making them a suspect. Turns out they were hiding a completely unrelated secret; an affair, hidden family connection, etc.

9. A Forgotten Grudge

Create a grudge or past feud and use it to cast suspicion on an innocent character. Introducing an aspect of their past also helps flesh out their character and dynamics as a group + plant distrust. 

10. The Faked Death

Luke Castellan, need I say more (I will)? A supposedly innocent character dies, but turns out they faked it and were never a victim in the first place. They just needed to be out of the picture. 

11. The Mistaken Eavesdropper 

A character overhears a threat, argument, etc. They suspect B based on this convo, but turns out they just came to a false conclusion. (Or did they?)

12. The Forgetful Alibi 

Someone confesses to hearing/seeing a clue, but turns out they were mistaken. Maybe they thought they heard a certain ringtone, or saw xyz which C always wears, but their memory was faulty or influenced by stress.

Looking For More Writing Tips And Tricks? 

Check out the rest of Quillology with Haya; a blog dedicated to writing and publishing tips for authors!

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estinien!

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               𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐓　 𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐋　 𝐋𝐘𝐑𝐈𝐂　𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒 　 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐎𝐍𝐄

various lyrics pulled from konami’s  𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐥 series. some lyrics have been altered for better sentence structure.  there will be uncomfortable themes,  such as blaspheme and themes of a zealous religious figure,  obsession,  and so forth. feel free to alter pronouns and referenced persons,  ex.  father  changed to mother or some other person.

        ꜱɪʟᴇɴᴛ ʜɪʟʟ 3 ❝ It would be a much better sight with you with me.❞ ❝ If you hadn’t met me,  I’d be fine on my own.❞ ❝ I never felt so lonely,  then you came along.  So now,  what should I do? ❞ ❝ So now,  what should I do? ❞ ❝ You gladly gave me everything you had and more.  You craved my happiness. ❞ ❝ When you made me feel joy,  it made you smile,  but now,  I feel your stress. ❞ ❝ Love was never meant to be such a crazy affair. ❞ ❝ And has time for tears? ❞ ❝ Never thought I’d sit around and cry for your love ‘til now. ❞ ❝ They’ve come to witness the beginning,  the rebirth of paradise despoiled by mankind. ❞ ❝ Remember me,  and your true self as well,  and also that which you must become. ❞ ❝ You must become the one who will lead us to paradise with blood-stained hands. ❞ ❝ There is another reason to fill your heart with hatred. ❞ ❝ It must be this way;  one day you will understand why. ❞ ❝ You will birth a god and build an eternal paradise. ❞ ❝ The time when all will be forgive their sins,  when the paradise we have long dreamed for will arrive after the judgement and atonement.❞ ❝ The world you wanted is nearly here. ❞ ❝ I wish only for the salvation of mankind;  but for that to happen,  the world must first be remade.❞ ❝ Am I still happy?  Have I grown more pretty,  is Daddy still a good man? ❞ ❝ If you forget how to smile,  I have this to tell you,  remember it once in a while :  ten years ago,  your past self prayed for your happiness. ❞ ❝ Please don’t lose hope. ❞ ❝ Soon we will know if it’s for real what we both feel. ❞ ❝ You have to realize we weren’t put on this earth to suffer and cry,  we were made for being happy.  So,  be happy,  for me,  for you …  please. ❞ ❝ The world is teeming with unnecessary people. ❞ ❝ It’s god’s decision that I fight. ❞ ❝ I sacrifice myself to the blood of criminals. ❞ ❝ It’s too late for me now,  this town will win. ❞ ❝ The rest of the bar laughed at him,  but only I felt my hope grow dim. ❞ ❝ They found him dead the very next day. ❞ ❝ We blamed bad luck for his fate. ❞ ❝ Someday,  all things will end. ❞ ❝ I want a cup that overflows with love,  although,  it’s not enough to fill my heart. ❞ ❝ I want a barrel full of love,  although,  I know it’s not enough to fill my heart. ❞ ❝ I want a river full of love,  but then,  I know the holes will still remain. ❞ ❝ I need an ocean full of love. ❞ ❝ I’d love to dry my tears as the pain disappears. ❞ ❝ I need a miracle and not someone’s charity. ❞ ❝ One drop of love from him and my heart’s in ecstasy. ❞ ❝ This high that is sending me is most likely ending me. ❞ ❝ You’d be amazed at how little I need from him to feel complete. ❞ ❝ Stirring within me are these feelings I can’t ignore. ❞ ❝ I need a miracle and that’s what I’m hoping for. ❞ ❝ Anybody’s love but his will never fill this space within me. ❞ ❝ Doctor,  give me what I need to free my heart from misery. ❞ ❝ I stole something precious.❞ ❝ I hold truth like a torch. ❞

       ꜱɪʟᴇɴᴛ ʜɪʟʟ 4 ❝ All these nightmares I once had as a child, it made it feel like the morning always came too late. ❞ ❝ What did my mind forget to hide? ❞ ❝ Could this be a waking nightmare? I don’t know. ❞ ❝ I’ll never know if it’s an illusion. ❞ ❝ Not again, not again, not again - this dream I can’t wake up from. ❞ ❝ What is real? ❞ ❝ It’s getting hard for me to take. ❞ ❝ What I need? I need a little somethin’ I can rely on. ❞ ❝ I’m breaking down. I need it now! ❞ ❝ Mother’s sugar always loves me. ❞ ❝ Oh the sweet sugar saves me,  it’s this room that confines me. ❞ ❝ What are they looking for? ❞ ❝ Their song is starting to make some sense,  only if you’re listening. ❞ ❝ What I heard is hard to explain. ❞ ❝ Does the scent of soil and beasts breathe life into the animalistic side you hide? ❞ ❝ It’s a great illusion. ❞ ❝ When you think you’re really alone,  do you feel the eyes of someone looking in on you? ❞ ❝ Only the scent of you remains to dance with me. ❞ ❝ Nobody showed me how to return the love you gave to me. ❞ ❝ Mom never holds me.  Dad loves a stranger more than me. ❞ ❝ I never wanted to ever bring you down. ❞ ❝ All that I need are some simple loving words. ❞ ❝ You touched my body, once.  It still burns me softly. ❞ ❝ I will never forget,  and I know it will never be again. ❞ ❝ I’m out of my head,  and I don’t know what I found. ❞ ❝ I can feel it break me down. ❞ ❝ Your tears,  they mean nothing to me. ❞ ❝ The love you never gave,  I’ll give to you. ❞ ❝ You really don’t deserve it. ❞ ❝ But now,  there’s nothing you can do. ❞ ❝ So sleep in your only memory of me, my dearest. ❞ ❝ Are you hiding away? ❞ ❝ Perhaps you’re happy without me. ❞ ❝ I would never have felt sad. ❞ ❝ You will not hear me say I’m sorry. ❞ ❝ Where is the light? ❞ ❝ Here’s a lullaby to close your eyes. ❞ ❝ It was always you that I despised. ❞ ❝ I hear your gentle voice;  your words echo inside of me. ❞ ❝ You said you long for me.  That you love me. ❞ ❝ And I want to see you, too. ❞ ❝ It feels just like I’m falling. ❞ ❝ Is there nothing I can do? ❞ ❝ I had wondered if you heard my calling. ❞ ❝ I’m here and waiting for you.  Where are you?  I can’t find you. ❞ ❝ I’ll wait forever for you. ❞ ❝ Mom’s gone to Heaven now. ❞ ❝ Does she have someone she loves more than me? ❞ ❝ I thought I could love you better. ❞ ❝ We were always together.  If we took some time apart,  I think you would finally know my heart. ❞ ❝ I fell in love with you,  and now you’re gone. ❞

ꜱɪʟᴇɴᴛ ʜɪʟʟ : ᴢᴇʀᴏ ❝ They make fun of me. ❞ ❝ Is it you again? ❞ ❝ Can this be the end,  forever? ❞ ❝ Say it again,  like you said,  does it sound like you? ❞ ❝ Where are you now? ❞ ❝ Does the young one know you’re hear? ❞ ❝ Can you hide who you are? ❞ ❝ That a look at yourself,  can you stop what will be? ❞ ❝ You think running will help? ❞ ❝ You can’t give up on the past when the past never ends. ❞ ❝ What have you done? You’re insane. ❞ ❝ Can you bring God down? ❞ ❝ Those plans that you made don’t include me. ❞ ❝ Your sacrifice wasn’t wanted,  still you try. ❞ ❝ Is it lonely where you are in there,  dad? ❞ ❝ Does the darkness know your name?  Does mom? ❞ ❝ What’s it like?  Can you feel? ❞ ❝ Dad,  do you know what you’ve done this time to me? ❞ ❝ Did you have that dream again? ❞ ❝ Release,  breathe. ❞ ❝ I can see through the fear,  nice try. ❞ ❝ Just a matter of time?  It’s another lie. ❞ ❝ It sure looks like it’s me. ❞ ❝ It’s closer to the source of my pain. ❞ ❝ I’m not myself. ❞ ❝ My God,  what have you done? ❞ ❝ And the nightmares are good,  so good. ❞ ❝ Will I ever wake up?  Am I here right now? ❞ ❝ Was the question too hard? ❞ ❝ [ Dad ] was right. ❞ ❝ [ Mommy ],  am I dead now? ❞ ❝ Tell me,  why do we … ❞ ❝ Oh yeah,  I’ve been here before.  I can see it with eyes closed. ❞ ❝ Why won’t you let me out? ❞ ❝ Does the evil excite you? ❞ ❝ Haven’t you had enough? ❞ ❝ Does the feeling control you? ❞ ❝ Just when I think I’m okay,  shadows surround me. ❞ ❝ Let me out! ❞ ❝ No more,  I’m through. ❞ ❝ You win,  I’m dead. ❞ ❝ You’re sorry,  sorry?  No,  you’re a liar! ❞ ❝ It’s over.  There’s nothing here left alive. ❞

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Something I'd like to point out about Estinien.

When you first meet him, especially if you haven't run the Dragoon quests, or even if you have, it's easy to think he's this gruff, stoic asshole of a dragon slayer, right? But the interesting thing is, he's actually kind. A lot kinder than he first appears. And you can hear it in his vocal tones.

Given that he wears the helmet of his Drachen Mail all the time, we can't rely on visual cues. You really need to pay attention to his voice. And it really begins to show when we go with him to meet Lady Iceheart, Ysayle that first time.

He's stressed, he's trying to get Nidhogg to back off the city, and it seems like he's being stymied at every turn. But when Ysayle tells him the story of Hraesvelgr and Shiva, he listens. And says, "I believe you." He's running out of time, both literally and figuratively, but he's trying.

His voice is gentle and kind. To the woman who who broke the magical wardings on Ishgard and enabled a massive assault to occur against the city. He lost brother and sister Dragoons in that fight. He could have raged at her for it. Instead, he chose to listen and to be kind to her.

That kindness doesn't come from nowhere. He is literally putting his ass on the line, trying to make himself a bigger target to Nidhogg, to keep him from destroying the city of Ishgard. For the many people that he's never even met. Because he doesn't want to see his home burn again due to Nidhogg.

And then he gets told by Hraesvelgr that every Azure Dragoon has died before they reached two score and a half years. In plain speak, before they reach fifty years old. He's thirty-two. He's running out of time. And even though he's a man on a mission... he takes the time to teach Alphinaud to collect firewood and how to build a fire. Something that keeps being referred to as we go along.

Because he didn't have to do that. He could have just done it himself. But he did because he could see in Alphinaud, the little brother that he'd lost. So, rather than snapping at him, he teaches and guides him. Being a big brother. Showing kindness.

Hydaelyn herself says that Estinien is a man with a heart filled with love. And he is. His gruffness just hides how kind he can be.

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WIP :)

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It's fanfiction it doesn't have to be perfect it doesn't have to be accurate this is a hobby you're doing this for fun it's okay if it isn't perfect and polished you're doing it for fun [talking to myself in the mirror]

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Mutuals I am beaming the subliminal message to roleplay with me directly into your brains

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I finally posted it... after a whole year and a half of the fic sitting in my drafts.

The ffxiv fanfic bug has bitten again...

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actually very very grateful for the online slash long distance friendships and connections ive made on this hellsite and i don’t think i say that enough but!!!!!!!! i love you all so so much besties in my phone

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dialogue tags like "he rasped" or "she hissed" aren’t cringe. they’re seasoning. use them.

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˚ ⊹ ✫ * ˚ 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒔 ˚ ⊹ ✫ *

✫ * · ˚ ⊹　　 ✫　　 　 · ˚ ⊹ ✫ * · ˚ ⊹　　 · ˚ ⊹ 　 ✫　　 　 · ˚ ⊹ ˚ ⊹ ✫ * ·

~~The lone star who sought the heavens~~

A fanart of Sunday because I loved his character and I'm excited for his release <3

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Dragon Sight

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with that one post going around bringing a surge on interest in WoL whump/hurt-comfort I remember all the times they've canonically been hurt or made vulnerable - first thing to note is that the only times they've canonically lost battles have been some fights vs Zenos (Rhalgr's Reach, Doma, Edge of the Universe was technically a draw not a loss but it did just about kill the WoL) and I love him for that.

but what I find even more interesting is that with the poisoning at the peace talks in HW patches, the Light corruption in ShB, how we learn that in the 8th Umbral Calamity timeline they died from the effects of Black Rose, so poison, magical curse, chemical weapon. if it was a battle against an enemy they could defeat most anything...but they're not invincible against these sort of indirect attacks that can't directly be fought against. and I think that's really juicy.

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do you ever think about it

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Mutuals I am beaming the subliminal message to roleplay with me directly into your brains

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The problem w writing fiction is that you'll be like tee-hee I'm going to write a story about a fucked up little scenario that's got nothing to do with anything in real life, just some pure messed up nonsense, and then you finish it and take a step back and go aw rats I made a metaphor again