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Plotting and Planning ,
The perennial appeal of the plot twist (and how to pull one off like a pro…)
By Becca Day
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)…
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By Becca Day
About the author
Becca Day is Head of Membership and Marketing at Jericho Writers. She lives in the middle of the woods in Surrey with her husband, daughters and cocker spaniel. She studied acting at Guildford College and went on to start her own Murder Mystery theatre troupe. It was this move that inspired her love of crime fiction, and she has since thrown herself head first into psychological thriller writing. Her debut, The Girl Beyond The Gate was an instant Amazon bestseller. She has since published a further three novels. Her fifth book is currently undergoing edits and she is currently writing her sixth.