bell notificationshomepageloginNewPostedit profile

Topic : Re: How can I test if an idea I have for a plot twist is satisfying for (most) people? So I have this idea for a plot twist and I really like it. I think I drop enough hints here and there - selfpublishingguru.com

10% popularity

I do not think you would get accurate feedback, because in a synopsis like that the readers are not invested enough in the characters and story, and the twist is likely to leave them flat.

The key to a twist is if, on first read, a reader doesn't see it coming, but when it does they realize it all makes sense: and on second read the clues are there and the twist was there. The story has to be consistent with the twist; you (the author) did not ever lie to the reader (although characters may have), and you did not totally conceal the twist (although some events may be reinterpreted on second read and make more sense).

Consider "The Sixth Sense" [The "I see dead people" movie], and the twist at the end. Watching the movie a second time, the twist holds up, no lies were told, no actions made the twist impossible. You have consistency and the movie makes even more sense on the second viewing. That is what makes a satisfying twist. What makes an unsatisfying twist is if the story makes less sense, including direct contradictions to the twist (lying to the reader in exposition when readers have been given no clue that the narrator can lie).


Load Full (0)

Login to follow topic

More posts by @Mendez196

0 Comments

Sorted by latest first Latest Oldest Best

Back to top