Creating Those Twists and Turns
I just finished Colleen Coble’s Mermaid Mood, the newest in her Sunset Cove series.
Due to two pending deadlines that have my head spinning, I’m not reviewing this book today. However, I have to say I was struck by the ending. I thought I had a good handle on the bad guy and was pleasantly surprised to find I didn’t.
It got me to thinking about twists in novels. So, my question today is:
What was the last book you read that had a twist in the plot or solution you weren’t expecting, one so amazing you still can’t forget it? Please don’t give any spoilers. Just tell us why it affected you the way it did.
For writers: Is there a process you use to create an unexpected twist in your story or does it just seem to happen when you write?
Sandra Ardoin
As an author of heartwarming historical and contemporary romance, Sandra Ardoin engages readers with page-turning stories of love and faith. Rarely out of reach of a book, she's also an armchair sports enthusiast, country music listener, and seldom says no to eating out.
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Jennifer
Most of the time, it just seems to happen…
Sandra Ardoin
Sometimes, it’s like that for me, too. Other times, it occurs to me in the planning stage. Thanks, Jennifer!
authoramheath
When I plotted my series out, I asked myself what the reader would expect. And then I purposed in my heart to do something different. I felt like there were certain things I could have done to make the story cliche and I knew I wanted to stay far from that. In my books, there are SOME things that the reader does expect and would be right about, but there are others that they didn’t see coming.
Sometimes you just have to refuse to give the reader what they think they want. 😉 A good author will take the time to coax them into wanting something new, even when they didn’t ask for it.
Another trick that I’ve noticed in some of my favorite authors is to simply KNOW where they want the character to end up but purposely take you down the wrong path. I’ve used this in my own writing. To pull off the false trail properly, the author has to still give enough time and growth for the ending to feel natural.
Sandra Ardoin
Red herrings! 🙂 Okay, so you planned your twists before you wrote?
authoramheath
Yes, ma’am! 🙂
Gail Johnson
Mine just seems to happen.
Sandra Ardoin
I’ve had those times, too, Gail. That can be when they’re the most fun 🙂