: Re: Plot devices for the climax of an adventure story Setting aside the specifics of my particular plot for a moment, I have need of plot inspiration: how do I set up an escape from a death

@Murray831

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Design the trap with the character in mind.

Maybe the character has a flaw or limitation. Early in the story, demonstrate this flaw or limitation in a small way that does not call attention to itself.

Then: Brainstorm the ways that the character might use this flaw or limitation as a tool, or might compensate for it, or might overcome it. Find a surprising twist on the flaw or limitation.

Try to list as many twists as you can, without regard for their quality, without regard to their use against any particular trap. Just list a whole lot of them as fast as you can.

Then: Pick the twist that is the most fun or most surprising, and design the trap so that it can be defeated only by that surprising twist. The villain, of course, has overlooked this quirk of the trap. It might be fun if the villain designed the trap with the character in mind, but overlooked the possibility of the twist.

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