Plot twists are one of the most effective ways to surprise, shock, and thrill your readers. They can make your story more memorable, unpredictable, and engaging. But how do you create a plot twist that will leave readers on the edge of their seats? Here are some tips and techniques to help you craft a twist that works.
Different genres have different expectations and conventions when it comes to plot twists. For example, mystery and thriller readers are used to solving puzzles and looking for clues, so they might be more skeptical and harder to fool. On the other hand, romance and fantasy readers might be more willing to suspend their disbelief and accept a twist that challenges their assumptions. Think about what kind of twist would fit your genre and what kind of reaction you want to elicit from your readers.
Read great books by popular authors! Not to copy, but to get ideas of what works for you personally. Generally, I find it's the element of surprise - a seemingly solid or reputable character, or even a very minor, seemingly incidental character, who turns out to be the antagonist or arch-villain will often produce a much anticipated 'twist' at the end of a story. Also, revealing an unexpected link to the protagonist's past history will often change the reader's anticipated direction of where a story is going or where it will end.
A good plot twist should not come out of nowhere. It should be foreshadowed, hinted, and supported by the events and characters in your story. Otherwise, it might feel like a cheap trick or a deus ex machina. To avoid this, plan your plot twist ahead of time and plant the seeds throughout your story. You can use subtle details, red herrings, unreliable narrators, or misleading clues to misdirect your readers and create a sense of anticipation and tension.
A plot twist should not be predictable or clichéd. It should be surprising and creative. To achieve this, you need to avoid the common tropes and clichés that have been used and abused by many writers before you. For example, avoid the twist that reveals that the protagonist was dreaming, hallucinating, or dead all along. Or the twist that reveals that the villain is the protagonist's long-lost relative or lover. Or the twist that reveals that the protagonist has a secret identity or power. These twists have been done so many times that they have lost their impact and credibility. Instead, try to come up with something fresh and original that fits your story and your characters.
A plot twist should not be illogical or inconsistent. It should be plausible and coherent. It should make sense in the context of your story and your world. It should not contradict or ignore the established facts, rules, or motivations of your story. Otherwise, it might feel like a plot hole or a cheat. To avoid this, you need to check your plot twist for any logical flaws or inconsistencies. You can use logic, research, or feedback from others to test your plot twist and make sure it is sound and solid.
A plot twist should not be irrelevant or inconsequential. It should be impactful and meaningful. It should affect the outcome of your story and the development of your characters. It should have emotional, moral, or thematic implications for your readers. Otherwise, it might feel like a gimmick or a filler. To avoid this, you need to make your plot twist matter. You can use stakes, consequences, or dilemmas to make your plot twist more dramatic and significant.
A common but extremely impactful move in cinema is creating "False Epiphanies". It is best explained as a fake solution to the problems of the protagonist. It should look like his challenges are almost over but then suddenly anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. It puts the audience on the edge of their seats and makes a script or a movie interesting.
A good story always have obstacles in it. Think in terms of obstacles, how can you escalate the situation? But know that a story has to have balance. If your obstacles are extreme, your solution must be extreme, however, keep things realistic. John Wick is an exception though, he was born to finish impossible tasks.
A piece of advice I received from my early writing days, and that still works for me to this day, is to be unpredictable. Nothing bores your readers more than when they already know what will happen at the end right from the beginning. Think, "What is the last thing my readers would be expecting to happen to this character or in this novel?" Once you figure that out, that is your plot twist. Be careful, though, as your plot twist has to make sense and fit into the story for it to be enjoyable to the readers.