Plot development story triggers are not intended for the beginning or end of stories. Instead, they force the big and small turns in the predictable course of the story. This is to make it more interesting for readers and writers alike.
Every week, I will introduce a new mentor to help change your story. Find last week’s prompt, Gift Giving, here.
Plot Twist Storyline Guides: Double Crossover
For today’s prompt, have one letter intersect another letter. Meaning, one character is supposed to work with another character and then reveal that she was actually working against her the whole time. This can be a powerful plot twist, as it upends the expectations of readers and characters alike.
(5 ways to surprise the reader without feeling tricky.)
I won’t give any spoilers, but anyone familiar with the Harry Potter novels knows that this is a common misrepresentation in those books. Many characters overlap with others, sometimes without having a choice in the matter. Indeed, one of the most pivotal characters is on his tiptoes along the double criss-cross throughout the series.
And here’s one way to make a double-cross among the most powerful plot twists in literature: remember that a double-cross may not actually be a double-cross. Or the double cross may be a low point, and the character who commits the double cross may still have a moment of redemption later in the story. Of course, sometimes things are as simple and straightforward as they seem, and a double cross is just a double cross.
So make one letter cross the other and see what happens next.
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Did you hit a wall about your work in progress? You probably know where you want your characters to end up, but don’t know how to get them there. Or the story seems a little outdated but you still believe in it. Adding a plot twist may be the only solution.
Click to continue.
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