How to Make Your Plot Twists Really Pop

When you read a story or watch a movie, the last thing you want is to know every event, action, and emotion that’s coming as you read/or watch. You want those plot twists and stories to be a surprise. To be in awe and shocked at the events unfolding on the screen/page.

What are Plot Twists?

Plot twists are changes in a novel, story, movie, or TV series that create a sense of awe or shock within their audience. They veer from the linear path which the author originally set at the start of the story/movie. The achieved effect offers genuine surprise and/or shock to their audience, keeping them engaged throughout the story.

Categories of Plot Twists

Most if not all plot twists are within one of these three categories of twists.

Clever

Use an interesting twist that is just clever. The audience will be oblivious to the twist. When they realize it, they will be in awe at just how clever the plot twist is. Their response should be something like, “Wow, that was so good!”

Revealing

This category plays on the unknown or uncertain aspects of the story. It involves misdirection, things are not what they seem. Then questions remain until the plot twist makes them clear or at the very least clearer.

Shocking

This one, as the title suggests, is something that is a complete surprise. Something so out of this world that one says, “Wow, I did not see that coming.” (Does anyone hear Guy from the Croods while reading that? Just me, ok.)

Types of Plot Twists

Anyone who writes stories is always dreaming up ways to create the next great plot twist. To engage their audiences and keep them engaged to the very end. Below are a few types you can use for your next idea:

1. A new character emerges seemingly from nowhere and enters to throw a wrench in everyone’s plans.
2. A new piece of information reveals to show even the narrator is unreliable in the events of the story.
3. A known ally of the protagonist suddenly turns out to be the antagonist.
4. An important element turns out to be a red herring, or not so important after all.
5. The main conflict seems to be resolved, yet something unforeseen happens to introduce an additional conflict(s)
6. An event, flashback, or even character reveals information that the audience is privy to but the story’s characters do not.

Why are Plot Twists Important to a Story?

Plot twists are tools that can keep the audience engaged in your story. They can grip and keep the audience’s attention while also inspiring the careful study of details that follow. When entered at specific points within the story, they can form lasting memories that associate with your narrative. This means they will recognize you and your work when they read another of your works.

13 Tips and Suggestions for Writing Good Plot Twists

Whether you are a seasoned writer or freshly starting, here are some tips that can help inspire you in your plot twist journey:

Suggestions:

• Be sure your twist is believable and necessary ~ Though plot twists are unexpected and sometimes shocking turns of events, they must make sense to the reader and the story if it is to be believable to your audience. As well as move the story along its path to the climax of the story.
• Approach your story as a reader ~ If you put yourself in the shoes of your readers and imagine how they might react to a potential plot twist, you can get a different perspective on your work. Not to mention understanding whether or not the plot twist will work. Think of what direction you would expect the story to go and what potential twists come to mind while reading. Really think about it and do something that your readers will not expect. Surprise them.
• Use subtle foreshadowing ~ Plant clues that hint toward the twist, but that won’t give it away until you reveal it. Make the clue subtle, so subtle that your reader may not even notice some of them, making the connection once you reveal the plot twist.

• Allow your character(s) to discover the plot twist on their own ~ Rather than using narrative to describe your plot twist, allow your characters to uncover the twist themselves. Not only will the character be surprised, but your readers will be as well. They are truly along for the ride with the character as the story moves forward.
• Elevate a minor character ~ One way to plant a successful twist is to take a seemingly minor character and make them much more important than your readers believe them to be.

• Create a subplot that means more than the readers believe ~ Readers expect subplots to be part of novels. They have a purpose all their own for the audience to enjoy, whether it’s providing a diversion, adding conflict, or there for character development. You can create a plot twist within a subplot using some of these ways:
  • Use the subplot to distract from the main events of the main plot, allowing you to drop another major twist to the main plot for an even bigger surprise.
  • The subplot can intertwine with the main plot in an unusual or unlikely way, creating its own twist for the readers.
  • Use the subplot as something important to the overall story, but its appearance is seemingly important to your readers until you make them realize it is.
  • Have the subplot take over the main plot, becoming the most important plot line of the story. This allows your readers to discover what your story is really about once the twist is revealed.
• Disguise your plot twist within a plot twist ~ This involves a bit of misdirection from you as the writer. You provide a plot twist the audience will assume is the “real” plot twist, only to realize there is an even larger one surfacing. As with all plot twists, your first one should be unforeseen, but not too big as to overshadow the one that comes after.

• anKill off a seemingly important character ~ To gain the audience’s attention, set up a character who appears to be important to the story and kill them. This always provides and emotional and shocking response from your audience as they 1) don’t see it coming and 2) get attached to the characters.
• Create the well-known ‘twist ending’ ~ Some of the best twists are at the end of a story. This is great for sequels. Your audience may be really irritated that you left book 1 in such a state, but if they want to know what happens as an outcome of the twist ending, they’ll need to wait for the next installment. If you have no intention of writing a sequel, then be sure to finish the story right.

Tips

1. Make sure your plot twist is earned ~ Set the stage for your twist’s reveal in such a way that readers are in awe of your brilliance. Use foreshadowing, small seemingly useless clues, and more to make sure your plot twist will be a success.
2. Keep up the momentum after the plot twist is revealed ~ The goal of your plot twist is to not only invoke an emotionally shocking reaction; but to also ramp up the intrigue, action, and more. The events that come after the twist are just as important as the twist itself. Refuse to let the momentum drag or you may lose your readers.
3. Adopt a ‘no one is safe’ mentality ~ Things may not always have to end well in your story. The protagonist will not always need to succeed, all characters will not need to survive to the end, and the main characters may not always be the main characters. Veering in a different direction will allow you to divert your reader’s expectations and create a more interesting and engaging story.
4. Test your plot twists with beta readers ~ If you don’t already have beta readers, you should find some that you trust to give you honest, yet constructive feedback and suggestions. Of course, you can take whatever suggestions of others you wish. It is your story after all. They will read it as they are… readers. Once they are done reading, ask them about the plot twists: were they effective? What didn’t work? Did they see it coming or was it a complete surprise? Etc.

Final Thoughts

Plot twists are a great tool to add shock and emotion while engaging your readers to continue reading your work. Whether it’s in the middle or end of your story, as long as it brings awe, intrigue, or the shock factor, your readers will return for more. So, take the tips, suggestions, and words here, use them and create something that really pops for your audience!