Questions tagged [twist]

A twist is a point in the plot of a story where what the reader has assumed to be true turns out to be false or incomplete. Use this tag for questions about how to write or handle twists, or if you should include them. Do not use this tag for general plot questions.

A twist is a point in the plot of a story where what the reader has assumed to be true turns out to be false or incomplete. The purpose of a twist is to surprise the reader, so questions about twists often focus on how to keep critical information hidden until the twist can happen.

A classic example of a twist is in Star Wars V, where Darth Vader reveals that he is Luke's father.

As with that revelation, twists can often change the perceived direction of the story considerably, and as such are a powerful story-telling device. It is therefore important to use them correctly. A good twist can leave a reader stunned and desperately needing to know what happens next; a bad twist can be anticipated or underwhelming.

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How to trick the reader into thinking they're following a redshirt instead of the protagonist?

I'm currently planning a "magical girl" story, and I thought of an interesting way to start it, rather than launching straight into the backstory. It opens with a woman in her mid-thirties, complete with ponytail of death, walking through a city…
F1Krazy
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Is an easily guessed plot twist a good plot twist?

In my post-apocalyptic novel, there are two "twists", but they're mostly tied up in each other. The first is that humans have developed different kinds of kineses, like hydrokinesis, telekinesis, and so on. The second is that the MC, Eris, has…
user34214
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Plot twist where the antagonist wins

I’m putting together this story and its formative stages are almost complete. However, I am genuinely interested as to how the ending would appear to the reader. My protagonist is a skilled character whose powerful traits allow him to succeed…
Jesticulator
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Too soon for a plot twist?

In my story, I will have a hero begin a journey. It will be the underdog story as well as good-vs-evil story. Think Frodo vs Sauron for massive oversimplification. Except in my story the hero becomes corrupt. The hero wins. The hero becomes the…
Summer
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How to write two seemingly different characters that are actually the same person?

I'm currently working on a book with two protagonists and switching the perspective between them. They have quite different plotlines, but actually they're the same person. English is not my first language, and in my language a subject always has a…
gibihakkasy
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Magic is the twist

It feels silly to say, but I've got myself into a bit of a bind of a side project. In a three-act structure (not what everyone uses, but a good reference point) you generally need to set up all expectations and major setting truths in the first…
Weckar E.
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How to deceive the MC

My protagonist is finally meeting with the big boss of a mafia. At least, he thinks he is. The boss actually sends someone to pretend to be him. I'm writing from the protagonist's (limited) POV. If I say "MC met the boss," that's dishonest and the…
Caspian
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Trivial non-dark twist in dark fantasy

I am writing a rather dark, grey fantasy story. It is supposed to feature a twist that turns the antagonist's goal to not to be evil at all (just misjudged) and really trivial (despite requiring large dose of effort). The protagonist changes for the…
Kiratta
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Of plottwists and endings

While writing my story this has come up in my mind a lot. I have been planning and foreshadowing this major plottwist near the end of my story. But the effects of it might change my world utterly and completely. Invalidating the story arcs and…
Totumus Maximus
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Should I make my character suspect an upcoming twist or not?

I have reached a point in my story in which the characters, who are in a sort of gang, will have to turn against each other. The specifics of it are not important; what is, is that capturing the main character presents an opportunity for them to…
Unhappymarshmellow
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When to finally reveal plot twist to characters?

In a post-apocalyptic novel I'm writing (which is the subject of many questions I've asked on Writing.SE), I recently cut out my entire Chapter 10-11. I was revealing the MC, Eris' finékinesis (death-force manipulation) to her love interest,…
user34214
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Using a different POV just for the opening line

I'm currently working on a short story with a dramatic "twist" ending. I use the quotation marks because, unlike a conventional plot twist aimed at surprising the reader, the intended target of the twist is the protagonist. The intent is for the…
motosubatsu
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Is discovering memories are false, a plot twist that invalidates my story so far?

So about halfway through the story I'm writing, the main characters discover that they're actually AI whose entire lives have been simulated in order to create an AI with human-level emotional skills. The rest of the story is about how they deal…
Allan Smithy
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How can I make sure a major twist is not disappointing?

I've been having some trouble with the ending of my current story, and I've decided that the best way to deal with those issues is to include a major twist. Due to the nature of this twist, I'm not sure if the reader will like it, or just be…
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Will the ending spoilt it if I keep my plot twists till the last chapters?

I have set up the plot of a general fiction; with 3 important twists that follow one by one at the end - I figured that it was better than making it a thriller (where there are minor twists that are red herrings and important twists at the same…
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