The 4 Real Reasons for Murder | Choosing a Motive for Your Mystery

You're writing a mystery and you want to surprise the readers with a great motive--but there are only a few real motives for murder. We're going to

* look at the four possible motives
* examine them from different angles
* talk about how to construct a plot that keeps the true motive a secret

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This video includes video clips from:

And Then There Were None
Psycho
Monk

[jillstarlight]

At first when I started listening I thought to myself "there have to be more than 4 reasons" until I understood you were breaking them into sub-categories under the categories. That opens it up a great deal more!

[foxglove-woods]

Currently trying to think of a motive before i write my murderer
Thanks for the helpful video!

[thesmugroup]

Monk is probably one of my husband’s, my son’s, and my favorite shows!!

The last part of your lesson reminds me of the British mystery show, Death in Paradise. There are always three suspects who couldn’t possibly have done it. So the Detective Inspector and his crew have to figure out why the victim was killed to then figure out who did it. The reason is always a surprise.

One of these days, I might actually figure out plotting enough to attempt a mystery. I focus on character arcs in romance, but am starting to add in a bit more suspense...

[davidcashin]

Nothing new here. Not a criticism :-) What I love is your organization!! Plus I really love that you get straight to your points and show them in tables etc. I have been so concerned that the story needed to spring to life in one shot in my brain. You have really shown me that I can organize and sort and then get to work, and then do the work editing. Thanks for this whole series!

[SleepSootheAndStorytelling]

How does this not have more views?! This is absolutely perfect. Thanks so much for the information and things to think about.

[heroprovolone]

The amount of work you put into this, purely to inspire and educate others, is impressive. I feel incredibly inspired and no longer stuck in the weeds. Thank you!!

[lastoreoandmilk]

Thanks very much for the time you have put together for this series.

I am a first time writer in fantasy and one of my side plots that takes place is a whydunnit so this is very helpful. I hope one day to have a finished story just like you 😀

[marienbad]

These are the best writing videos on youtube! Honestly, you get to the information and have so much and such great ideas. Thank you for these videos, I am learning so much.

[flutterflutter]

i was stuck with my worldbuilding for way to long and you just solved my life thank you so so much i was overcomplicating everything in my head but the answer is always murder mystery thank you!

[PeachyLofi]

This video was super helpful!! Much appreciated!!

[judyshinohara]

Great content! Thank you for breaking everything down into specific examples. I never realized how much variety there could be in a murder mystery!

[darkpoetik]

Hey Jane, I hope you are well...I finished typing up mystery today...I had let it sit for three months; the one i wrote during winter...Nice thing about getting somethig typed, it's easier to edit....I would be honored if you would read it 🙂 Thanks for all your help and inspiration....

[JohnKusters]

I’ve just stumbled upon this video and this series, and I must say these are very thought-provoking and enlightening. Thank you!

[musickel]

thank you so much for the depth of analysis in this video! I've been stuck on the motive in my latest wip, and this gave so many great ideas. This is exactly what I needed!

[andattitude]

What an excellent video Jane! I knew the 4 basic motives already, but you introduced me to more possibilities of how those 4 motives can be expressed in a million different ways.

Subscribed! Can’t wait to binge your other videos

[TheCrazyFrancky]

So interesting! Thank you so much for this mystery theory lesson, it was very enriching!

[tannerstrelecky]

Great videos! They are helping me piece together my scattered thoughts!

[SybilWard]

Really well done, Jane, as usual. Thanks for the motive menu. :-)

[ilikeminecraftgaming]

Thank you!This helped me out with my murder mystery fanfiction!Ready and excited to write it!

[trembyle]

Your clear and practical vids are extremely helpful for wannabe mystery writers like myself