by Prisha Mehta
Why is the earth round? Why are we orbiting around the sun? Why did the war happen? Did they predict the outcome? Is it true what she said? Was she really murdered?
We are creatures of curiosity, and as the famous saying goes: “Curiosity killed the cat…but satisfaction brought it back.” The same way we are addicted to the high of a thriller, we are unconsciously addicted to figuring out the real “truth” in rumours.
We’ve all heard of various secret organisations that used to exist and some that still do, and everyday I sit and wonder whether it’s actually true or a huge farce. To write a perfect conspiracy, contrary to public opinion, you do not have to be paranoid and write with a shaking hand, you just have to be confident with your facts and the flow will come.
Research: As a standard for writing any novel, research is thoroughly important, but for conspiracy theories every detail should be checked and then double checked, a slight mistake can cause the whole plot to fall through. Timelines, names, dates, political figures, environment at that point of time etc. are all vital and need to be re-checked.
Here are some websites to look up:
Websites like ‘Above Top Secret’ - A popular forum for discussing a wide range of conspiracy theories.
‘InfoWars’ - A controversial site known for promoting various conspiracy theories.
‘The Vigilant Citizen’ - Focuses on symbolism in pop culture and various conspiracy theories.
Please avoid websites like Quora and Reddit which focus on biased opinions, try to stick with facts.
Truth and Humour: A weird combination, but truth needs to come off in such a way it should not be jarring, as it may hurt the reader’s perspective, to lighten the atmosphere in bits and pieces of humour. Shadows of truth make it more believable to the reader, especially while creating fictional theories. The truth makes it easier for the reader to be attached to the story. Try to choose topics that aren’t sensitive or have occurred in the recent past or are currently occurring.
Flow: The plot should be pre-decided and you can do so by making mind maps and flow charts to ensure the smooth and steady flow of the entire plot, especially when playing with conspiracy theories. A slight misplacement with reference to the plot could essentially change its entire meaning. Additionally causing breaks and bumps in the plot would be unpleasant for the reader, essentially creating a choppy flow that makes it uninteresting. Increasing tension and adding it in layers can keep reader’s intrigued throughout.
Beginnings and Endings: Simple writing with interesting beginnings will leave readers unsuspecting and then one can gradually climb into more complex characters and backgrounds. Leaving conspiracies unresolved will keep the readers thinking long after they are done reading. Leaving ambiguous and cryptic messages, words, characters throughout will just increase the suspense.
Aftermath: Conspiracy theories in novels often delve into psychological themes like paranoia, mistrust, and cognitive dissonance. Characters may experience heightened anxiety and struggle to reconcile conflicting beliefs, leading to personal transformation or societal unrest as they navigate the revelations and consequences of these conspiracies that show the effect on people, nature and the world. How it affects everyone in the book can bring about a sense of empathy or apathy, providing an emotional connection with the book.
Here are a few book recommendations to deep dive into the world of conspiracies:
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
Angels & Demons by Dan Brown
1984 by George Orwell
The Illuminatus! Trilogy by Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson
Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason
Gravity's Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon
Anathem by Neal Stephenson
And that’s a summary on conspiracy theories and how to easily make them an addition to your next story. From romantic novels, thrillers, to mysteries, they could all be spiced up with just a sprinkle of conspiracy theories. It impacts the characters in the book, giving them not only depth, but also helps in forming emotional connections with the reader. They have the power to upturn both the physical and fictional world. So, just be careful, ‘cause you never know what lies next!
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