revising your novel - complete series by Janice Hardy

Author:Janice Hardy [Hardy, Janice]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780991536467
Publisher: Janice Hardy
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

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Developing Plot Twists and Twist Novels

There’s no formula for devising a compelling plot twist, because every plot is different and any number of things can work in a novel. But one trick for twisting a plot is pretty simple: Defy reader expectations.

In this session, examine any plot twists and make sure they’re grounded in the story and not appearing out of the blue, and look for a good place to add a twist if you think you need one.

Step One: Fix Weak Plot Twists

The trick to a good plot twist is to give readers what they expect, but not in the way they expect it. Twists work when they shock readers, but then they realize they should have known all along. It’s a surprise, but it feels inevitable once the secret is out.

If you think your twist is looking a little murky you might want to (and don’t worry if you’re not sure how to fix the issue yet—you’ll explore that further in the Revision Options):

Pinpoint the clues leading up to the twist: Identify where and when clues to the plot twist are dropped. Make sure they feel natural to the scene and aren’t telegraphing something to come.

Add or cut clues as needed: If you think you need more (or fewer) clues, add and cut as necessary. Look for places where the clue would most likely slide right by readers, but still linger in their subconscious.

Determine the right spot for readers to start suspecting the truth: Sometimes you’ll want the twist to be a huge surprise; other times you’ll want the anticipation of trying to figure it out to help pull your story along.

Determine the right spot for the characters to start figuring it out: Readers often spot details long before characters, but if it’s too obvious, then your characters look dumb if they haven’t figured it out yet. Make sure you have a good balance between reader hints and character hints.

Use twist clues to fix any slow or weak scenes: Weak scenes in need of help could be opportunities to foreshadow the twist. Would adding a layer of mystery to a slow scene help it?

Let characters encounter things thematically or metaphorically linked to the twist: Sometimes someone says something and makes you think of something different. Your brain picks up on it because there’s some link between the two details that combine in just the right way. Let the characters hear or experience the perfect trigger for a memory or realization in a later scene.

A twist doesn’t have to be a full-blown mind blower to work. Sometimes, smaller, more frequent twists can keep a plot unpredictable and compelling.

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