Red herrings in literature add depth to a story, building suspense by creating twists and turns in the plot. They’re part of the enjoyment of reading a mystery or crime novel, as they keep us guessing. This gives us a sense of satisfaction if we guess correctly, and makes the ending a surprise if we don’t.

Red herrings aren’t only used in mystery and crime stories, however – they can be used in other types of literature, too. The term simply refers to false information which can confuse the reader and lead them to draw the wrong conclusion about a character or plot.

                                           —“What Is a Red Herring in Literature?”, www.twinkl.ca.

The term “red herring” may have been coined in 1807 by English journalist William Cobbett, who accused reporters of announcing Napoleon’s defeat before it happened – using false information (a “red herring”) to mislead the public in the same way that smoked herrings might be used to lure a dog away from following a scent.

As an amateur writer, I am constantly questioning my work. Did I do enough to engage and entertain? Should the journey to the end offer a variety of red herrings? Will they keep my readers entertained, engaged, and surprised?

My mystery writings take place in the UK and their court system, which then involves UK police. After watching a few (!) murder mystery series, I often find the perpetrator has escaped justice for years due to errors in the system. We can think of red herrings as errors.

Readers of murder mysteries without knowing do demand all the above. How far do we go? Disney Land! An overwhelming array of amusements.

Keep in mind readers enjoy unanswered questions and/or being fooled. Write about each character creating false puzzle pieces or leading the reader down the wrong path.

How would your characters react in various scenarios? Plot out short fantasies for each of the characters. Just don’t take the fantasy so far that your readers become skeptical of the red herring. Enjoy the process of deception, giving it depth and believability. By giving innocent characters strong motives – for example, strained relationships or an incident from a shared educational setting – you can lead the reader along the red herring pathway. Some would say that Harry Potter is the epitome of entertainment. What an overstocked pond of red herrings!

“don’t be afraid to go against expectations.” If your reader thinks they have figured out who did it, consider throwing a curveball. A well-executed twist can make for a truly addictive murder mystery. So go ahead and let your diabolical imagination run wild.

                                                                     —Team Now Novel, www.nownovel.com

Some great examples of red herrings are in the 2010 film Shutter Island by director Martin Scorsese. A police detective and his partner arrive at a remote institution for the criminally insane, to solve the death of a patient. From the outset, nothing is as it seems. By the end, twists and turns upend the detective’s world before the truth is finally revealed in a way that is both engaging and full of tension.

In your writing you may begin the first chapter with a death or with the aftermath of an event. As the characters scramble to piece together what happened start planting your red herrings.