How to Write a Jaw-Dropping Plot Twist
(a.k.a. the art of mind-freaking your readers with style)
There’s nothing more satisfying than a plot twist that completely blindsides your readers—one that makes them gasp, flip back through the pages, and think, How did I not see this coming?
But crafting a truly unexpected twist takes more than just shocking reveals. It requires subtlety, misdirection, and precision—like setting up a magic trick where the audience never sees the sleight of hand.
So, how do you write a twist that doesn’t feel forced, predictable, or out of nowhere? Let’s break it down.
1. Lay the Groundwork with Foreshadowing
A great twist isn’t just shocking—it’s earned. If you reveal something that has zero setup, it will feel cheap and random. If your characters have a very cordial relationship where their most intimate interactions are lining up at the office water cooler to get a drink, and you suddenly have them send wedding invitations to their coworkers, that will just feel cheap… It’s a plot twist, for sure. But not a good one.
A mark of a great plot twist is actually when you have all the clues peppered all throughout your story. And you plant them so blatantly that your audience will want a double take on where they missed the clue. Or your audience could mark out where the clue is while they draw their own conclusions as the story is unfolding.
You need to subtly plant clues early in the story so that when the twist happens, it feels inevitable in hindsight. Readers should be able to go back and recognize the breadcrumbs you left behind.
How to do it:
- Use small, seemingly insignificant details that later take on a new meaning.
- Drop hints through dialogue, descriptions, or minor inconsistencies.
- Have characters react in ways that don’t quite make sense—until the reveal.
Example: Comfort Me With Apples by Catherynne M. Valente
The story follows a seemingly perfect housewife who begins to unravel the dark secrets about her seemingly ideal life and marriage.
This book was short but packed a punch. I feel like I need to douse my eyeballs with holy water after this rollercoaster ride. I mean that in the best way, of course. The plot twist was so good, I went back to the start of the book to read every clue I missed. And they were, embarrassingly, IN EVERY PAGE.
2. Use Misleading Clues to Distract Your Reader
On the topic of audiences figuring out your next move, they loooove playing detective, and they’re always on the lookout for clues. That’s where misleading clues come in—they lead the audience down the wrong path, making them confident in a false assumption before you pull the rug out from under them.
How to do it:
- Introduce a subplot that seems important but is actually a distraction.
- Use an unreliable narrator or character who thinks they have the truth.
- Make your twist hide in plain sight—mask it within another, more obvious mystery.
Example: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
The narrator is a psychotherapist who becomes obsessed with treating Alicia Berenson, a famous painter who stopped speaking after allegedly murdering her husband. We discover later that he himself was the man who triggered the tragedy for Alicia and her husband.
See what he did? It’s as if he ran to us (the audience) first before the real protagonist could get the chance to tell us her side of the story! So unfair! So outrageous! So… DELICIOUS!
(P.S. Just don’t do this in real life because that’s just so not cool.)
3. Play with Reader Expectations
Twists work best when they challenge what readers assume to be true. If a character is framed as the obvious villain, what if they’re actually the hero? If an event is presented as the climax, what if it’s only the beginning?
How to do it:
- Flip common tropes on their heads (e.g., the “good guy” is the real monster).
- Introduce a “twist within a twist” to keep readers guessing.
- Use perspective shifts to reframe the entire story.
Example: The Sixth Sense (1999)
The entire film leads the audience to believe Dr. Malcolm Crowe is alive—until the shocking reveal that he’s been dead the whole time.
Oof. This video still gives me chills to this day. I watched this when I was around 9 years old and was paranoid for a whole WEEK. What if among everyone I knew, there were a couple of people who didn’t know they’ve been 86’ed?
The lesson I learned? DO NOT let children watch movies like this – even with adult supervision.
Still… 10/10, would watch again.
4. Make Your Twist Change Everything
A mediocre twist shocks the reader for a moment. A great twist recontextualizes the entire story. When your audience looks back, they should see the story in a completely new light.
How to do it:
- The twist should create an aha! moment that reshapes past events.
- It should deepen the theme or character development.
- It should feel like the puzzle piece that was missing all along.
Example: Shutter Island (2010)
Throughout the film, we follow Teddy Daniels as he investigates a missing patient. The twist? He was the patient all along, trapped in a delusion to avoid facing the truth about his past.
See… one of the things that take years off my life is this: How come Leo didn’t get an Oscar for THIS?! Matter of fact, I feel like he was robbed from an Oscar many times in his career! Why did it have to take a bear disassembling him in a different movie to finally get that trophy? I just. Don’t. Get it.
5. Keep It Simple but Smart
The best twists aren’t convoluted—they’re clever. If a twist requires a 10-minute explanation or contradicts established facts, it will frustrate your audience instead of impressing them.
How to do it:
- Avoid overcomplicating your reveal—simplicity is key.
- Make sure it aligns with the story’s logic.
- Test your twist by reading back through your draft—does it hold up?
Example: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
We assume Sirius Black is the villain—until we learn the real traitor was Peter Pettigrew all along, hiding in plain sight as Ron’s pet rat.
So, kids. What have we learned? Hermoine’s cat (who I’ll call Tom because I forgot the name), knew that Ron’s rat (Scabbers, AKA Jerry) was a villain all along. Like how we millennials have collectively decided that we identified with Tom. Perhaps this was what adults meant when they told us “When you are older, you will understand.”
Bonus: Here’s an example of what NOT to do
Have you ever seen the movie called “The Room” (2003), written, directed, and produced by Tommy Wiseau? It’s gained quite a loyal audience and has been dubbed one of those movies that are “so bad, they’re so good!”.
Whenever I’m at a low point in my life and want a good laugh, I watch The Room.
Whenever I’m craving for a movie with plot twists and key details I don’t ever want to see again in the movie after they’re mentioned, I watch The Room.
Whenever I’m feeling delusional and want to feel good about my nonexistent capability to write, direct, and produce my own movie, I gain confidence from watching THE. ROOM.
The cheap details that are never brought up again like the competitive computer business, or Lisa’s mom’s breast cancer, and Danny’s drug problem. *Chef’s flipping kisses* These seemingly very important details don’t make a comeback in the movie after they’re mentioned. The Room breaks every rule I’ve learned about plot twists and yet, I keep coming back to it from time to time. What does this say about my taste in movies? Is this what breaks my character? Is this my villain origin story? I want answers.Final Thoughts
A great twist isn’t just about the shock factor—it’s a storytelling spell. When done right, it lingers. It haunts. It elevates everything.
Final Thoughts
So the next time you write a twist: ✨ Foreshadow with flair
✨ Misdirect like a magician
✨ Subvert with sass
✨ And make it matter
Oh… and maybe don’t take inspiration from The Room. Unless it’s for therapy.
Now go forth and twist some minds! 😈
📚 Want more chaotic wisdom on writing, storytelling, and slaying your WIP?
Follow AlonTala Publishing on Facebook for writing tips, new releases, and magical bookish chaos.
Join the AlonTala Readers & Writers Group on Facebook — we’re friendly, slightly unhinged, and totally obsessed with stories like yours.
Subscribe to our Substack pages for ✨ bonus rants, spicy writing prompts, and behind-the-scenes fiction bits:
Indie From the Islands on Substack (Mariel’s)
Daydreams for Breakfast on Substack (Pasta’s)
Have questions? Suggestions? Profess your undying love and affection for a member of the team? 👀 We listen and we don’t judge. Send us an email at hello@alontala.com
Want to get to know how to structure your next masterpiece? Read “Write Better Novels: Fix Your Story Structure” here!
