Writing The Twist in your stories

This article first appeared over at Write Anything.

One of the most enjoyable types of short stories to both read and to create is one with The Twist. An integral part to the art of writing this successfully is to not reveal the crucial line or clues too early. In fact, the later on in the story, the more impact it will have. The unexpected ending, usually with tones of irony or coincidental circumstance; brings a great deal of enjoyment to the reader, despite the initial shock or surprise they may experience with the sudden turn of events.

I would suggest, as a basis for writing a story with a twist, that you include these steps.

Shocked Face Image via Wikipedia

Stay focused from the start.

There is some debate on the word count for Flash Fiction (The standard, generally-accepted length being under 1000 words) and Short Stories ( usually under 2500 words). Regardless of the length, its best not to waste words, focusing on drawn out build ups to a crisis. In the same way you cannot waste words on giving your characters long winded descriptions of vast backgrounds. The focus for your story is to feed your reader information which will muddle their perception of the events as they unfold and then to offer clarity with the twist you introduce.

Look for a different POV

The twist in your story means that you are leading the readers to certain assumptions without deceiving them, but in the end they discover that they were incorrect. Look at the prompt or inspiration you have for your story and note different perceptions about that ‘thing’ or event. Look at it from animate and non animate points of view and from the eyes of different genres. Perhaps to tell this story you will need to depart from your normal or comfortable genre.

Sketch your Plot Out.

Plot your basic story in a predictable manner ( ie the ending which most readers would expect) Review key events or decisions characters make within the story and look past shallow perceptions to find a deeper, or darker motivation for those events to take place. Keep thinking of misconceptions and different points of view until you come across one you like and then plot the basics of your story. With that knowledge, review the ending and rewrite your sketched out finale. Be sure to decide what your surprise or twist will be before you begin writing your first draft.

The Smoking Gun.

Although there are no hard and fast rules with writing a twist in a story, you must adhere to one of Chekhov’s major principals of the Smoking Gun. “If you fire a gun in Act III, it must be seen on the wall in Act I; and if you show a gun on the wall in Act I, it must be fired in Act III.” To simply pull the rug out from under your readers feet, without solidifying evidence or enough passing references will leave them feeling unsatisfied, confused and in some ways cheated. A good twist uses forshadowing clues enough to wet the appetite and to key the readers in that there may be a surprise ending, but vague enough that many will miss its significance until the end.

Whilst placing your smoking gun in full view of your readers, ensure you also tuck away a few red herrings and some minor clues to the background or motivation of your characters. It’s a fine line in giving clues within your text but try not be too obvious. If readers can guess the outcome too soon they will tire easily of your story and you’ll not gain the outcome you were hoping for.

Although pacing is important and an individual matter, needing to be relevant to the style and genre of your story, refrain from revealing the twist too early in your story. Ensure that once it has been revealed that all pieces are tied up neatly.

Writing a good quality, interesting short story is a skill which many writers bypass in favour of telling their stories in a more verbose format. The art of the Twist in the Tale is both enjoyable for reader and writer to experience and one I hope to see a resurgence for in the near future.

Is your short story begging to be a Novel?

Image via Wikipedia

The is one of my articles over at Write Anything where I discuss the ‘dangers’ or that little short story of yours taking on a life of its own…

As a writer of short stories and flash fiction, I have had the flashes of much larger and complex worlds and relationships than described in the scant story I had just created.

I am certain that I am not alone with the experience of having characters either argue or beg to allow their story to be told. Following, is compiled some tell tale signs that your flash fiction or short story is attempting to flex its literary muscles and overgrow your files and time and demand to become a novel.

1. Your short story just isn’t.

As Jodi this week points out there are two basic types of short story which are growing with popularity – the flash fiction – 200 to around 1000 words and the more traditional short story of up to 10 000 words. Most magazines or journals will not run stories longer than this; should you be looking to be published in the ‘mainstream’. Another factor to consider – especially with the internet – most people only have the patience or time to read up to 2000 words on a screen. If your story has been edited and cut to the bare minimum and still over runs this word count, you have a novel in disguise.

2. Time frames are too long.

Most short stories happen in a very short time frame – often a moment in time, a morning, over a few days or weeks at the very most. Although there are no specific rules with this, its generally accepted that most short stories don’t cover years of a characters experiences. If the reader is required to understand huge swathes of back story about each character and the years it has taken them to connect with others and come to the specific point your story is set, you have a novel in the making

3. People want to know more.

The most convincing way to discover your short story is desperate to be a novel is by having your raving fans – or in that case – someone – ask you when the ‘rest’ of the story will be revealed or published as a book. Before rushing out and expanding your short story, it might be prudent to do a little research or gain feedback from others on the acceptance of this storyline as a novel. Just because your Mum liked it, might not mean that you will have hundreds of strangers willing to purchase your book.

4. Originality

If your story is truly unusual, or has an original or a completely fresh take on an event, then perhaps it need expanding and allowed to become a novel.

5. Character Overload

If too many characters are needed to explain events or have complex relationships which cannot be whittled down to 3 or 4 at most – then this is a sigh your plot is that of a novel – rather than a short story.

6. The theme has not been fully developed.

Most short stories focus on fully exploring one theme, where its message clearly communicates to the readers throughout the story. If your story begins to branch off into a variety of unrelated themes, you either need to separate them and write separate short stories or look at producing the plot in a larger format.

7. You can’t stop working on it.

If you are excited and passionate about the characters and the plot, then it is likely that your readers will too. You don’t need to like your characters, nor always agree with their choices – but if they are interesting and sustain your attention – then keep writing your novel. If you can live, eat and breathe your characters for months at a time, without getting bored or tired of them, then it may be likely that your audience will enjoy the journey as well.

If you are fortunate enough to be inspired to continue telling the stories of your characters, then go with that, rather than torture yourself creating prose built around a structured theme and setting….just write…..and enjoy!