The perennial appeal of the plot twist (and how to pull one off like a pro…)
Let’s face it - there’s nothing like a good plot twist. That delicious moment when your jaw drops, your brain short-circuits, and you immediately flip back a few pages muttering, “Wait, WHAT?”
Contrary to popular belief, plot twists are NOT just for crime writers. Whether you're working on a thriller, a romance, a fantasy epic, or even a literary darling, the plot twist is the literary version of a mic drop - and readers absolutely eat it up.
But why do we love plot twists so much? And more importantly, how do you pull one off without making readers roll their eyes so hard they sprain something?
Let’s twist again, like we did last chapter... (Ba du dum.)
Why plot twists are so addictive
Plot twists are the espresso shot in your story cappuccino. They jolt readers awake. They make people text their friends at 2 a.m. with “YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK.” They’re proof that the author is five steps ahead, cackling behind the scenes, and we love being fooled like that.
A good twist does three things:
- Surprises the reader
- Makes sense in hindsight
- Changes the direction or emotional tone of the story.
When done well, twists make readers feel smart for spotting the clues - or wonderfully blindsided if they didn’t. Either way, it’s a win.
Plot twists across genres
You don’t have to write a psychological thriller to serve up a killer twist (though, let’s be real, they practically require one).
Here's how to tailor twists to different genres:
Crime / Thriller / Mystery
The plot twist is your bread and butter here.
Classic moves: The killer was the narrator. The victim faked their death. The detective was the criminal.
Pro tip: Leave breadcrumbs, but scatter them wide enough that readers miss the loaf. For more advice on pulling this off perfectly, be sure to check out our Crime Writing For Beginners video course with Graham Bartlett. Alternatively, if you’re after that extra level of support, consider our tutored Writing Crime and Thriller Novels course (starting 1 September)...
Romance
Yes, even swoony stories can twist the knife!
Twisty moments: The love interest has a secret past. That “adorable” meet-cute was orchestrated. The breakup wasn’t what it seemed.
Pro tip: Just make sure the twist doesn’t ruin the happy-ever-after (unless you’re writing a Nicholas Sparks-style tragedy… in which case, proceed with tissues).
Fantasy
In a world of dragons and dark lords, you’ve got room to get weird.
Magical twists: The chosen one isn’t who you think. The villain was protecting something all along. That magical artifact that they’ve been trying to rescue? Cursed.
Pro tip: Even in wild worlds, logic matters. A twist should still follow the rules of your universe.
Sci-fi
Twists in sci-fi can get existential.
Mind-benders: The AI is sentient. The alien planet is actually Earth. The time travel loop has already happened.
Pro tip: Your twist should spark a philosophical “Whoa...” and a plot “Aha!”
Literary & Historical Fiction
A subtle shift can hit just as hard as a big reveal.
Quiet gut punches: A character’s perception is proven false. A backstory unravels everything.
Pro tip: Here, it’s all about emotional resonance. Make us feel something deeply, even if nobody dies or time-travels.
How to pull off a killer plot twist (without killing your story)
1. Know the ending first
Start with the twist, then build the story around it. It’s much easier to foreshadow something when you actually know what you’re foreshadowing. If you’ve already written a decent chunk of your story and you want to add a twist in, you can do that too, but make sure you go back and pepper the foreshadowing in.
2. Play fair
Readers love to be tricked, but they hate being cheated. If your twist relies on information you never gave the reader access to, it’ll feel like a cheap shot. They need to be able to read back on what they’ve already read and think ‘Oh! How did I miss that?’
3. Layer the clues
Drop hints like a sneaky little breadcrumb trail. Some readers will catch them, others won’t—but either way, they’ll love looking back and realizing you totally warned them.
4. Hide the twist in plain sight
Use misdirection. Distract readers with a more obvious mystery so they miss the real one coming. (See also: every good magician ever.)
5. Let the twist change something
The best twists don’t just shock—they reshape the entire story. They change how we view the characters, the world, even the genre at times.
Look, writing a great twist is like performing a magic trick. You need timing, precision, sleight of hand, and a flair for drama. But when you get it right? Readers will never forget the moment their brain short-circuited - and they’ll come begging for your next book.
So go ahead. Lie to your readers (but nicely). Trick them. Flip the script.
Because at the end of the day, we all want to be fooled—just as long as the twist is earned.