✨ In this lively and insightful session, the Fiction Cartel dives deep into the art of the red herring…those sneaky narrative misleads that keep readers guessing, characters fumbling, and plots wonderfully tangled.
Whether you write mystery, fantasy, or speculative fiction, red herrings offer a powerful tool to control pacing, subvert expectations, and deepen engagement.
The Fiction Cartel members:
With panelists Ann Kimbrough, Deleyna Marr, Kummer Wolfe and Jaime Buckley, traditional whodunits to character-driven misdirection in high adventure were discussed. The panel shares definitions, techniques, and personal examples from their own works.
Make sure to follow them on their substacks!
Subscribe to Tell Me A Mystery
Subscribe to Deleyna’s Drift
Subscribe to Kummer Wolfe
Subscribe to Life of Fiction
Thought-provoking questions emerge:
Are red herrings lies?
Should the character fall for them too?
How far can you push misdirection without betraying the reader’s trust?
🎯 Why Watch This Session:
Gain a clear understanding of what makes an effective red herring.
Hear real examples of how writers use misdirection across genres.
Explore the ethics and intent behind misleading the reader.
Discover how red herrings can serve character arcs, plot progression, and even worldbuilding.
Bonus: Enjoy the camaraderie, laughter, and spontaneous moments that make Fiction Cartel sessions a must-watch for any serious writer.
What Do YOU Want To Know?
Do you have questions you’d like us to answer?
Do you have something else you want to know that The Fiction Cartel can discuss next time?
🧭 About The Fiction Cartel
A bold new idea where writers come together live to talk craft, challenge conventions, and grow as creators. No scripts. No filters. Just raw, real writing minds sharing insights.
➡️ Want to join live next time? The link is ALWAYS THE SAME =)
Pull up a virtual chair at: https://gobrunch.com/fictioncartel
Hope you enjoyed the video. Drop a comment below and let me know!
Have a great day. Have a great week!
Remember:
You are MORE than you THINK you are!
Until Next Time,
Jaime *the-creative-addict* Buckley
Check Out GoBrunch…It May Work For YOU!
Love it even though I haven't seen it
In regards to Ann's question about, email reads being down. If that statistic is calculated through clicking the email & taken to Substack, to read the content, then it could be people are just engaged in the Substack website. I've been seeing the emails, but I look for the content in Substack, without clicking through the email. Just a thought.
That's very possible. Thanks!
Oh. that's a great point!
Thank you, Neil...had not considered that.
The way I've been looking at things is just personal interaction and then backup are the actual open rates...which have not changed for me.
That's a great point. I like to treat statistics as trends. Jaime's trends make me happy. I haven't seen that drop... but then I'm still just getting started on Substack... and about to kick a hornets' nest... so some statistics may change. LOL
Im excited at all the changes about to happen....
As for me, I think I should push the Ink & Purpose book to print.
...and I did like the cover change your daughter did, Deleyna.
I love that picture. You can tell we were all having a good time.
I do try to find the part of the video that best represents the conversation to take the screenshot. =)