There’s nothing quite like a great plot twist. Movies like Shudder Island, Fight Club, and Se7en are incredible staples of cinematography largely because of their plot twists.
Plot twists are incredibly interesting as a consumer a well-set-up movie hints at the coming plot twist so it’s possible to guess the twist but in no way gives it away directly.
A well-executed twist leaves a massive mark on your reader’s experience, they WILL remember your story if there is a well-done plot twist.
Not all stories work well with plot twists but if your story is looking for a plot twist here’s how to go about it.
The Psychology of Surprise
Ever wondered why a well-crafted plot twist feels like a literary rollercoaster for readers?
It’s more than just a narrative curveball; it’s a psychological jolt.
The best plot twists will flip the entire story on its head, where you as the reader don’t know what’s true or not.
There are a few elements that make a plot twist surprising and memorable;
- Anticipation
- Revelation
- Reader Satisfaction
A balance must be struck between these three factors.
Anticipation: Foreshadowing for Maximum Impact
Anticipation describes the lead-up to the ending, the way you’ve foreshadowed and hinted at your plot twist.
The best way to increase anticipation is to add odd things or untied ends to your story that linger in your readers’ minds as they wait for answers to them.
In other words, foreshadowing.
Foreshadowing will be your key to a plot twist that readers anticipate.
Placing symbols or other things throughout your story will on a subconscious level prepare readers for a twist.
To do this well you need to subtly introduce clues without giving away the surprise.
This could be an out-of-place comment, a weird spectacle, or a dismissed thought.
Adding in little indicators of your plot twist will both raise anticipation but also satisfy the reader on another read through your book.
Revelation: Creating Emotional Resonance
As I said before a great plot twist is a psychological jolt.
Just the same way as laughing at a joke is a physical response to some trickery, an emotionally resonant plot twist is a result of expectations being subverted.
However, a good twist never strays far from the characters and themes of the story.
Thus, your twist needs to be connected to character development and overarching themes throughout your story.
This works especially well when your story doesn’t make much sense without the twist.
For example, there is a movie I recently watched called “I’m Thinking of Ending Things” based on a novel of the same name.
This movie is about a young couple who go on a trip to see their boyfriend’s parents when things go a bit strange.
The movie does have a twist but not one that isn’t expected.
As you watch everything is just slightly wrong, characters act weird, and the story doesn’t progress logically until you get to the twist.
***SPOILER WARNING***
The whole story is actually about an older gentleman with dementia/Alzheimer’s who is contemplating suicide.
When this twist is realized the whole movie is tied together neatly.
Not only does it wrap the film up emotionally I was shattered as I realised that this fantasy this gentleman had was so fragmented and terrifying because his mind is quite physically deteriorating.
The payoff of this film is so great because I was so invested in how the film would come together that when I was able to empathize with an individual I actually cried because of how sad the whole story was.
That’s what you are aiming for, emotional resonance through audience engagement.
Reader Satisfaction: Avoiding Disappointment
There are not many things worse than a bad ending to a story.
No matter how good the story was up to that point when it ends in an unsatisfying way it shatters the whole experience.
Plot twists are no different.
You NEED to invest time into making your twist satisfying rather than jarring.
To avoid disappointment for your reader steer clear from used and worn clichès.
Things such as ‘It was all a dream’ these endings are tried and tested when a reader is faced with one it is almost comical how terrible the ending is.
You want to understand common twists in your genre and twist the twists.
If your readers are expecting a twist in your fantasy novel then hit them with a psychological thriller-type twist.
Mixing and matching ideas and genres is a great way to create fresh and unique twists that don’t disappoint your audience.
In Conclusion . . .
As we’ve explored plot twists, we’ve uncovered the importance of anticipation, the psychology of surprise, and the delicate dance between reader expectation and revelation.
Remember, a compelling twist is not merely a shock factor; it’s a well-woven narrative thread that enriches the whole of your story.
Crafting plot twists is an art—a dance that requires finesse, timing, and a deep understanding of the reader’s psyche.
It’s about more than surprising for the sake of surprise; it’s about sculpting an experience that resonates with your audience.
So, fellow storytellers, go forth with newfound knowledge and a dash of daring.
Experiment, surprise, and most importantly, enjoy the process of keeping your readers delightfully and deliciously guessing.
Happy crafting!
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