In FLAME GAME I have some plot twists. Hopefully they provide a momentary surprise, but once they're revealed they feel quite natural. I think that's the key to a good plot twist.I'm struggling with wanting to have a huge twist at the end of this book. Actually, what I want is a jaw-dropping, head-smacking, OMG moment. But I'm not finding one that feels organic to this story.
To be fair (to me), even when the current plot twists transpire, and the reader knows what was done by who, I think they might still want to hang in there to find out how the good guys find out what happened.
What do you think about the jaw-dropping plot twist at the end of a book? Do you love it? (Duh.) Is it necessary?
I really want to know.
It's all better with friends.
Interesting question, Peg. I'm also a lover of good plot twists and one of my goals for every book is for the reader to think "Wow, I didn't see that coming." But like you said, an effective twist must be organic to the story, as if it couldn't have happened any other way. It's definitely a challenge to come up with good one. One of my books got all the way to the end and even though I knew the identify of the person responsible for the crime (I don't write mystery, but there's always a mystery in my urban fantasies), I still had to figure out "who" this person really was in terms of a relationship to the other characters. Once I figured that out (of course this all happened during rewrites), I had a mind-blowing plot twist. Sometimes you need a completed draft before you can actually finish the book because that's where the real work comes in.
ReplyDeleteI love that, Karen. I think you have a point. Get all of my puzzle pieces strung together into some kind of loose whole and it could provide an aha! moment. Fingers crossed!
DeleteA reader told me this: As opposed to a jaw-dropping big bang plot twist at the end of a novel, I find myself drawn to a quietly-whispered turn at the end where I emit a short gasp and then am suddenly rendered silent because I don't know what to do with myself.
I like all kinds of endings. Each story calls for it's own conclusion. Just stay true to the story and readers will feel rewarded.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right. If, after I've done my best with the first draft and nothing else blows my mind open, I'll trust that the story stands on its own without manipulation.
DeletePeg, what a hard question. As you said you have some plot twists throughout the book, so you could probably skate by without one. But then, it depends on how well you've sewed up the threads and will the reader be expecting one grand finale. That's the problem with being a mystery reader/writer. As a reader, part of the fun for me is we're always looking, thinking. As a writer we're always trying to leave them with one big "Gotcha." It's when the plot twist is so out there or so far fetched from what the author has set up in his mystery that can leave the reader scratching his head and saying, "Huh."
ReplyDeleteI'm really good at sewing up threads. At least I like to think I am.
DeleteI don't want any reader scratching his head at the end and wondering what the heck just happened. But you're right, a huge part of us wants to leave readers with that "Gotcha" feeling.
You said "skate by." That makes me think a JD (Jaw-Dropper) is the best way to go, if it's possible to do so without that scratching of the head thing. I agree with you... if it actually works. The few scenarios I've come up with that work are interesting... just not JDs.
Thanks for weighing in, Donnell. You know I respect your work.
I am a big fan of plot twists and every book so far--but one--has had one at the end. The one that didn't was my shortest (by far) and the most in need of a very happy ending, as the characters had been through enough even before the start of the book. It seemed mean to force another obstacle.
ReplyDeleteThe other books, though... a couple running away on the way to their wedding party (thrown by a mob boss), a man changing careers and locales after retirement age in a a very dangerous way, and a man in love completely repudiating the woman he loves out of spite (just before the HEA). The first two were "gasps," the last has caused tears in everyone who has reported back.
I agree with the issue of it being organic, but in every instance, I had to write the ending at least three times--with very different plot lines--before the final twist made itself plain (I hate, hate, hate endings). All I can say is don't give up until the store forces you to it.
Good advice. Thanks.
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