HOW TO ADD A GREAT PLOT TWIST TO YOUR SHORT STORY OR NOVEL
A question came up today: What's the secret for writing a good plot twist? As you already know, there's nothing like reading a short story or a novel that has a terrific plot twist. Readers loves to be caught off guard. It adds fun and excitement to the end of the story. The author looks good, too. The reader greatly appreciates his or her talents. So, what's the secret for coming up with a twist that will make the reader buy every book you've ever written? Simple: You can't wait for inspiration to hit you as you're writing the story. You need to have the plot fully worked out before putting pen to paper, or fingers on the keyboard. You have to know what the twist will be before you write it. Then, like a great magician, you keep throwing the reader off guard with red herrings as you write your story. Mislead your reader. Take him or her down paths that end abruptly. Let them get lost in the maze of deceit. Finally, when the reader thinks he might know ev...