: Re: How can I avoid a predictable plot? When writing a novel, authors generally don't want the reader to know how things will end. This is especially true of mystery novels, but obviously applies

Whenever I think about the topic of 'predictable storytelling,' I recall an interview with Kevin Smith, regarding his work on the movie Red State.

"As I was writing it, I realized; oh crap, if I know where the movie
is going, chances are the audience is going to know where it's going.

So for me, while I was writing it, I was like, okay. As soon as I
feel I know where it's going: jump. Do something completely
different. Change the story."

You can really see that attitude reflected in the movie. It changes directions wildly, multiple times through the movie.

You might not want your story to feel quite so chaotic, but the underlying advice remains; constantly ask yourself if you 'know' where your story is going, and re-evaluate how you might subvert that expectation.

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: Re: How can I avoid a predictable plot? When writing a novel, authors generally don't want the reader to know how things will end. This is especially true of mystery novels, but obviously applies

More posts by @Candy753

: Portraying the Brutality of War I'm writing what might be described as a gas-lamp fantasy novel set in a realm similar to the Durrani Empire. Part of the main character's backstory is his experience

: How best to prevent a protective response from overshadowing a heroic act? My main character is injured, having been shot earlier. This injury renders him much slower to respond and reduces his

: Music & Focus During Writing I hate listening to silence while I write, so I usually end up listening to music, but then I lose my focus. I don't really like classical or lo-fi that much

: How to balance male protagonist sensitivity to women My MC is an assassin by trade and has a military background - sniper, Special Ops, etc. He was raised partly by his sister after their

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