History SoYouWantTo / WriteAConspiracyTheory

* As tempting as it may be, do ''not'' try to compile a JustForFun/GrandUnifiedTimeline of the World from Their point of view. At best, you will be frustrated by the ungodly amount of source material, most of which you won't even need for your story; at worst, you will end up writing a lot of BackStory and very little ''actual'' story. Timelines and general sense-making are best left to the fans and their [[TheWikiRule their nifty little wikis]].

* As tempting as it may be, do ''not'' try to compile a JustForFun/GrandUnifiedTimeline of the World from Their point of view. At best, you will be frustrated by the ungodly amount of source material, most of which you won't even need for your story; at worst, you will end up writing a lot of BackStory and very little ''actual'' story. Timelines and general sense-making are best left to the fans and their nifty little wikis.

* As tempting as it may be, do ''not'' try to compile a JustForFun/GrandUnifiedTimeline of the World from Their point of view. At best, you will be frustrated by the ungodly amount of source material, most of which you won't even need for your story; at worst, you will end up writing a lot of BackStory and very little ''actual'' story. Timelines and general sense-making are best left to the fans and [[TheWikiRule their nifty little wikis]].

* '''Dragon'''. A secondary villain who has to be [[TheDragon defeated before facing the Man]] (e.g. he is the only one who knows the Man's identity), an EvilCounterpart to the Lancer. His identity is a less guarded secret than the Man's, as he works out in the field and later, [[SternChase pursues the heroes]]. He is usually more physically robust than his boss and specializes in combat and field tactics. His background is either that of a ProfessionalKiller, or [[AuthorityEqualsAsskicking military]] ([[ColonelBadass colonels]] and [[FourStarBadass generals]] are popular). A dragon is optional, since a particularly badass Man may not need him at all, or opt for a QuirkyMinibossSquad or CoDragons, who split the dragon's authority among themselves and are little more than EliteMooks (see below). Like the Man, the dragon can be introduced at several points:

To start off, '''[[ShownTheirWork do the research]]'''. We cannot overemphasize this enough. Most conspiracy theories and thrillers get icy receptions because they leave their readers left with inaccuracies way too often. To avoid that, go ahead and read up on the history of the time period They have been active in. For instance, if UsefulNotes/TheKnightsTemplar are at the core of your conspiracy theory, you have nine centuries of European and Middle-Eastern history to traverse. Take a look at the popular UrbanLegends and, if AllMythsAreTrue is involved, actual legends, too. As you read, you will probably notice [[{{Motifs}} patterns]] and [[ConspiracyPlacement clues]] that fit perfectly into your conspiracy concept. Write them down for later! If you are doing a science-themed conspiracy theory, read up on the corresponding scientific research; if it's about political intrigue, study contemporary politics and sociology. Don't be afraid to draw inspiration from the already existing conspiracy theories (see, for instance, our UsefulNotes on UsefulNotes/ConspiracyTheories and JustForFun/CluesToTheConspiracy).

Political activism aside, the [[UsefulNotes/ConspiracyTheories conspiracy theory]] is a PostModern genre of ScrapbookStory that combines pseudo-historical and pseudo-scientific (hence, "theory") narratives under the [[FramingDevice premise]] that all of them are stages of an EvilPlan conducted by an [[NebulousEvilOrganization omnipresent, omnipotent secretive group]] known as "TheConspiracy". In a sense, a conspiracy theory is a WhatIf FanFic based upon the RealLife, and we love to read those, don't we?

There are a few basic conspiracy patterns, based upon [[UsefulNotes/ConspiracyTheories historical examples]], to inspire you:

To start off, '''[[ShownTheirWork do the research]]'''. We cannot overemphasize this enough. Most conspiracy theories and thrillers get icy receptions because they leave their readers DanBrowned way too often. To avoid that, go ahead and read up on the history of the time period They have been active in. For instance, if UsefulNotes/TheKnightsTemplar are at the core of your conspiracy theory, you have nine centuries of European and Middle-Eastern history to traverse. Take a look at the popular UrbanLegends and, if AllMythsAreTrue is involved, actual legends, too. As you read, you will probably notice [[{{Motifs}} patterns]] and [[ConspiracyPlacement clues]] that fit perfectly into your conspiracy concept. Write them down for later! If you are doing a science-themed conspiracy theory, read up on the corresponding scientific research; if it's about political intrigue, study contemporary politics and sociology. Don't be afraid to draw inspiration from the already existing conspiracy theories (see, for instance, our UsefulNotes on UsefulNotes/ConspiracyTheories and JustForFun/CluesToTheConspiracy).

* ''Literature/AngelsAndDemons'' and ''Literature/TheDaVinciCode'' offer an example on how [[DanBrowned NOT to write the back-story of a conspiracy thriller]]. They are still quite exciting {{thriller}}s, nonetheless.

Wiki/TheOtherWiki has [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Secret_societies many]] [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Fictional_secret_societies examples]] to inspire you. You may also cut the whole thing short and just [[HistoricalVillainUpgrade recycle a historical secret society]] for your purposes.

* As tempting as it may be, do ''not'' try to compile a GrandUnifiedTimeline of the World from Their point of view. At best, you will be frustrated by the ungodly amount of source material, most of which you won't even need for your story; at worst, you will end up writing a lot of BackStory and very little ''actual'' story. Timelines and general sense-making are best left to the fans and [[TheWikiRule their nifty little wikis]].

[[Administrivia/RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgment Political activism aside]], the [[UsefulNotes/ConspiracyTheories conspiracy theory]] is a PostModern genre of ScrapbookStory that combines pseudo-historical and pseudo-scientific (hence, "theory") narratives under the [[FramingDevice premise]] that all of them are stages of an EvilPlan conducted by an [[NebulousEvilOrganization omnipresent, omnipotent secretive group]] known as "TheConspiracy". In a sense, a conspiracy theory is a WhatIf FanFic based upon the RealLife, and we love to read those, don't we?

A ConspiracyThriller can be likened to TheHerosJourney or the "[[Literature/TheSevenBasicPlots Overcoming the Monster]]" plot, in that your SeekerArchetype is TheHero and They are [[UltimateEvil The Monster]]. To make the story [[ItsPersonal more personal]], They are usually personified by [[BlamingTheMan The Man]] and a few less prominent villains (see Casting Director section below). Although defeating even the most high-ranked of Their members doesn't [[DecapitatedArmy automatically defeat all of Them]], it may be a satisfactory resolution for your particular story.

* '''Protagonist'''. [[TheHero The leader]], often [[AgentMulder the believer]], and usually the one most motivated (see above) to [[ConspiracyTheorist unveil Their secrets]]. There are two flavors he can fall into: the ''Main Brain'' and the ''Infiltrator''. The [[{{Nerd}} Main Brain]] is the more [[ScienceHero intellectual hero]] whose trump card is his vast [[MrExposition previous knowledge]] (think [[Creator/DanBrown Robert Langdon]]); while the Infiltrator is more of an ActionHero who [[StealthBasedMission gets in, cracks the codes, steals the data]] (think [[Series/TheXFiles Fox Mulder]]). Although both types require equal amounts of creative thinking, the Infiltrator is more likely to rely on others for {{Exposition}}. [[BadassBookworm Mixed]] [[CulturedBadass types]] are possible, especially if he acts without backup. Many protagonists possess such traits as extensive [[HistoricalInJoke knowledge of history]] and/or [[TechnoBabble high-end technology]], [[MadeOfIron exceptional physical condition]], and from time to time, [[PsychicPowers special powers]]. Background-wise, the protagonists are often scholars, [[PlayfulHacker IT specialists]], {{Cowboy Cop}}s, {{Intrepid Reporter}}s, {{Ordinary High School Student}}s, or {{criminals}}. There are three basic patterns your protagonist can be involved with Them (you can combine them if you wish):

* On the other hand, don't delve too deeply into historical detail. You are writing entertainment, not a historical thesis. While a minority of readers will go and dismiss your theory as nonsense, the vast majority will, at most, look up some names and events in Wiki/ThatOtherWiki, (hopefully) go "OhCrap, it's all true!", and carry on reading. That should be your goal, too.

* '''Test subjects'''. Sometimes, They perform [[TestedOnHumans experiments on living humans]] (often young and [[IllGirl female]]) ForScience, fun, and/or profit.

(Just make sure to deny any knowledge of Wiki/TVTropes if you are caught using these.)

* '''[[RedScare Bolshevik conspiracy]]'''. Maybe They are [[DirtyCommunists beggars, lowlifes, and generic scum of Earth]] who are jealous of normal people and use social and economic crises to [[TheRevolutionWillNotBeCivilized seize the power for Themselves]]. Maybe they are [[IntellectuallySupportedTyranny an educated class]] working to indoctrinate the common people to revolution [[StrawHypocrite as a mask for a power grab]]. Expect a [[SecretPolice KGB]] to secretly back Them up. Another rare format since 1991. Has ''also'' often been associated with Jews, ever since Jews made up the majority of members of the first Soviet parliament and since the communist/Jew connection was made way back in the infamous ''Protocols'' mentioned earlier.

** They are members, usually prominent, of the ethnic or cultural ''majority'' who basically don't like any of the minorities that just don't blend in. Because of this, They plan to enslave (or [[UsefulNotes/TheHolocaust worse]]) all different from Them, or at least [[PutOnABus remove them]] from having any influence in the course of the society in which they live. This one goes back to the ''reactions'' to ''The Protocols Of The Elders Of Zion'', and the purported need to "take back the country from... ...and return it to greatness." Due to a [[UsefulNotes/WorldWarII notable conflict]] in the mid-20th century, this theory is seen as both far more ''and'' less plausible as far as scholars are concerned, considering that on the one hand, it ''was'' historically attempted, but spectacularly failed in everything but bringing ruin and forced division upon the country in which it occurred, and thus is unlikely to be re-attempted. At the same time, real life racism is still alive and well, and so a racial supremacist conspiracy is unfortunately not too far-fetched.

* '''[[RedScare Bolshevik conspiracy]]'''. They are [[DirtyCommunists beggars, lowlifes, and generic scum of Earth]] who are jealous of normal people and use social and economic crises to [[TheRevolutionWillNotBeCivilized seize the power for Themselves]]. Expect a [[SecretPolice KGB]] to secretly back Them up. Another rare format since 1991. Has ''also'' tended to be associated with Jews, ever since Jews made up the majority of members of the first Soviet parliament and since the communist/Jew connection was made way back in the infamous ''Protocols'' mentioned earlier.

* SinisterGeometry. Recurring geometrical patterns (like a pyramid... with an eye on top) are a dead ringer for a conspiracy, be it [[AlienGeometries aliens]], [[GeometricMagic magic]], or whatever They are up to.

A ConspiracyThriller can be likened to TheHerosJourney or the "[[Literature/TheSevenBasicPlots Overcoming the Monster]]" plot, in that your SeekerArchetype is TheHero and They are [[UltimateEvil The Monster]]. To make the story [[ItsPersonal more personal]], They are usually personified by TheMan and a few less prominent villains (see Casting Director section below). Although defeating even the most high-ranked of Their members doesn't [[DecapitatedArmy automatically defeat all of Them]], it may be a satisfactory resolution for your particular story.

* '''The Man'''. TheMan is the head of the conspiracy and the BigBad ''of the story''. Although there can be a ManBehindTheMan, who is the actual head, he doesn't play a large role in the narrative. TheMan is very often [[ManOfWealthAndTaste someone in position of enormous (public or hidden) power]]. Alternatively, he is a brilliant scientist or mystic. Or both. His skills include [[TheChessmaster analytical mind]], [[TheStrategist strategic planning]], CompellingVoice, [[ManipulativeBastard emotional manipulation]], [[TheMole acting]], and FlawExploitation. See our guide on how to SoYouWantTo/WriteAMagnificentBastard for more writing tips. Since he is Their strategic leader, he is responsible for most of Their wrongdoings, therefore his death (rarer, imprisonment) ends the story. The Man can be introduced at several points:

* '''The Man Behind The Man'''. The ''real'' ManBehindTheMan behind a conspiracy may be someone who is never properly introduced, only hinted at in the story. TheMan himself may be the dragon to the Man Behind The Man (don't get confused now). Alternatively, multiple Men Behind The Man comprise TheOmniscientCouncilOfVagueness. They meet in a dimly lit room with [[TheFaceless their faces obscured]], engage in an ArcWords-filled CrypticConversation (which only makes sense once you know the entire story) and an occasional PalantirPloy, then disappear into darkness. The heroes will probably never meet them all in person (if they did, they'd inevitably discover [[VillainWithGoodPublicity a lot of familiar faces]]). As long as at least one Council member survives, the conspiracy [[SequelHook can continue on]].

* '''[[RedScare Bolshevik conspiracy]]'''. They are [[DirtyCommunists beggars, lowlifes, and generic scum of Earth]] who are jealous of normal people and use social and economic crises to [[TheRevolutionWillNotBeCivilized seize the power for Themselves]]. Expect a [[SecretPolice KGB]] to secretly back Them up. Another rare format since [[TheGreatPoliticsMessUp 1991]]. Has ''also'' tended to be associated with Jews, ever since Jews made up the majority of members of the first Soviet parliament and since the communist/Jew connection was made way back in the infamous ''Protocols'' mentioned earlier.

* Any ArcWords They are required to [[SayingTooMuch recite every time They murder someone]] or when They are [[FamousLastWords dying Themselves]]?

An investigation is essentially a {{quest}} for information on the conspiracy. It consists of a number of stages, during which the protagonist must find and decipher (two distinct sub-stages) a piece of information to proceed to the next stage. Most logically, deciphering one piece of information [[LinkedListClueMethodology gives the protagonist clues on where to look for the next one]], in addition to being a major {{Reveal}} in itself.