This week we talk about twists. Kathryn brings lots of questions to the round table and Robert makes a case for avoiding gimmicks.
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What is a twist and how do you separate it from your typical surprising ending? Do all twists have to be massive plot level revelations? And is a twist just a gimmick? Should all books have twists? And at what point in your story should your twist arrive? Finally – we discuss how all stories can have twists and challenge everyone to write one of their own!
What we talked about:
Alida defines a twist. (0:34)
What is the difference between a surprise ending versus a twist? (1:55)
Not all twists are created equal. (7:34)
Should all books have twists? (8:55)
What is the difference between a gimmick and a twist? (10:38)
Can a twist be used as an end hook or after the climax of the novel? (15:14)
Is there a rule about where a twist should be in your book? (18:33)
Are twists genre conventions? (23:32)
LINKS
Things we mentioned:
Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
Shutter Island by Dennis Lahane
The Sixth Sense
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk
Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson
I Am Legend by Richard Matheson
Atonement (the movie)