Wednesday, 17 August 2016

Pretzel your plot.

I have too much plot, but  not  enough twist.



How to plot twist effectively

Foreshadowed - the reader thinks one thing is going to happen, but something changes. Or it is surprising but inevitable.
Character Driven - Know your characters and build in reasons for the twist through character traits, likes, reactions, habits etc.
Character Struggles - allow them to almost succeed then change something. Make it more difficult for the character,  Maybe the twist changes their view if the world.
Defy your reader- what is your reader expecting? Don't give them that. Bury clues in action scenes.
No Tricks - you do not want your reader to feel cheated, the twist needs to feel possible when it happens. No dreams.
Untrustworthy Narrator - especially if in deep point of view or first person - your character misunderstands what is happening or being said to them.
Reversal of role - give your character a personality flaw that allows them to turn from hero to villain or vice -versa.
Start in the middle. - start your story in the middle of the action. No backstory for the reader means the story is open ended and the unexpected is expected!
Kill a Character - a main character dying throws the plot in a new direction. make sure the reader cares and doesn't think you will let the character die.
Delight - the reader needs to be pleased with the twist and following outcome, they may hate you for killing a character but then understand why as the story progresses.
Reason - the plot twist needs to advance the story.

Enjoy plot twisting and eating pretzels.

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