HOW TO MAKE THE BEST PLOT TWIST IN YOUR NOVEL
![]() |
So, How to create the best plot twist in a novel, short story, film scenario or television storyboard?
If that question is yours too, then this article is for you.
After previously Baru Writer invited you to know the meaning
of plot twist, types of plot twists and examples of plot twists, this time Baru
Writer will focus on how to make the plot twist itself.
So, prepare yourself to read it to the end
YOU NEED A GHOST WRITER THAT IS VERY SKILLED IN INDONESIAN LANGUAGE WRITING?
CLICK HERE
How to Make the Best Plot Twist in Your Novel, Short Story or Film
![]() |
Photo source: www.penulisgunung.id |
As a way of twisting the storyline and manipulating the reader's expectations, plot twists are certainly not easy to do. The predictable storyline is definitely not part of the plot twist.
Some writers put their imaginations into action to construct
a storyline that is completely different from what readers expect. They use
whatever story elements they can; characters, settings, conflicts or whatever.
However, some plot twists actually feel like they are forced because they are
no longer natural.
Well, that's also the reason why there are many questions
about plot twists, especially about how to make them.
To make it easier to accept, I will invite you to understand
first why plot twists are important in a story.
Why is Plot Twist Important?
The most compelling reason why a plot twist in a story is
important is because of its ability to bring back the reader's attention. This,
for example, occurs in some parts of the story which tend to be boring.
You must have known right, that the most difficult part of
writing a story is the middle?
In this section sometimes the storyline tends to be flat and
there are no surprise effects that make the reader pay more attention.
Well, herein lies the role of a plot twist.
When the reader begins to feel that his attention to
following the story line is diminishing, plot twists help bring it back. Or in
movies or soap operas it's the same; when the audience feels the storyline
tends to be ordinary, the plot twist makes it even more biting.
5 Tips for Making Interesting Plot Twists in Stories
After understanding the important role of plot twists in a
story, whether in the form of a novel or a film, now how to make it?
There are at least 5 tips that you can apply to help you
create interesting plot twists. It doesn't matter if this is your first time
trying to make a plot twist or you are an experiences writer, these 5 tips will
make it easier for you.
#1 Kill the Story Characters Who Look Important
An example of a plot twist that uses this technique is the
novel MERAPI BARAT DAYA.
One of the story characters that looks important and is
shown a lot from the start, is killed towards the end of the story. The
author's choice of how to kill him is very interesting, not only for plot
twists but also to ignite further conflicts.
Killing story characters who look important is not new in
plot twist writing. This is a classic way that many of the world's great
writers do. Even though it's a classic, its effectiveness never diminishes when
it's done well.
So, how to do it?
The first thing you have to remember is; this must not only
appear as a shock effect to the reader, but must also sustain the course of the
story. You can't do it haphazardly to kill a character in a story.
Give a description of a character who looks important at the
beginning of the story, draws the reader's attention to him, or camouflages him
like the main character or protagonist. Then at the right time, kill him and
replace him with the real protagonist.
#2 Use Characters to Reveal Plot Twists
Revealing novel plot twists using narration is something
that is common and is done by many writers. But what if the story characters
themselves do it?
Well, this is something writers rarely realize that they can
use story characters to reveal plot twists. Build a condition where one of the
characters in the story becomes the key to revealing the story twist with his
dialogue. Don't narrate.
By utilizing the story characters directly, you will be able
to build an original impression for the storyline. This is important in an
effort to avoid plot twists that look like they were forced.
So, you can use one story character, whether it's the
protagonist, antagonist or tritagonist to speak and reveal the true storyline.
#3 Give a Key Role to the Character of the Story that Seems Trivial
The next way to make an interesting plot is to give more
portions to characters that previously seemed trivial. In a film, it means that
you give an extra character at first to become an important character in the
process of the story.
How about an example?
There are many things you can explore from this story idea.
For example, a housemaid is a key figure behind a series of horrific incidents
that occur in a family.
Or on the other hand, you use a minimarket cashier, cafe
waiter, street vendor, personal driver or any character whose role seems
trivial in the story, but in fact they are the ones who have the real secret of
the story.
#4 Make the Main Conflict Resolution of the Story the Beginning of a New
Conflict
You want to see an example?
Once again, I will recommend the novel MERAPI BARAT DAYA for
you to read. The ending of this novel is perfect for giving you an idea of how a main conflict ends, it
becomes the beginning of the next conflict.
You can also use this technique, for example, if you intend
to make a novel series.
How to make the right ending of a novel with a plot twist is
the most interesting way to make sure readers are curious about the sequel to
the next story.
#5 Make Sure the Plot Twist Makes Sense
The last tips to produce a good plot twist is to make sure
that the storyline that you 'twist' still makes sense and is acceptable.
There's no point in applying the best plot twist novels and
short stories, but it doesn't make sense to the reader. No matter how much
shock you want to produce from the storyline, make sure it has a relevant
correlation to the main story.
This last part, of course, cannot be done arbitrarily. There
is a careful calculation of the plot twist used; does it look natural or does
it make no sense?
The best way to put this fifth tips into practice is to practice as much as possible and read lots of references. God willing, that way you will more easily create the best plot twists in a story.
Well, those are 5 tips and how to make the best plot twists
in stories in the form of short stories, novels, scenarios or film series.
This may seem difficult at first, but with disciplined study
and practice, you can certainly create your best story plot twist later.
So, good luck!
Komentar
Posting Komentar