Fiction Writing Made Easy

#187. How To Write An Unforgettable Plot Twist In Your Novel With Samantha Skal

Apr 1, 2025

Samantha Skal, Director of ThrillerFest and expert in mystery and suspense, dives deep into crafting unforgettable plot twists. She emphasizes the importance of 'playing fair' with readers and starting with the villain to create surprising yet inevitable twists. Discover how personal character baggage can cleverly misdirect while still keeping the narrative logical. Samantha also discusses the strategic use of red herrings and character depth as essential tools for enhancing suspense and reader engagement. Get ready to transform your storytelling skills!

48:24

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Episode guests

Samantha Skal

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Plot twists must be logically rooted in character motivations to ensure they resonate and feel satisfying for readers.

Writers should balance red herrings and clues to maintain suspense without frustrating the audience by withholding essential information.

Creating intricate characters, especially antagonists, enhances the narrative by adding depth and complexity that heightens suspense and engagement.

Deep dives

Understanding Twists in Mysteries and Thrillers

Twists serve as crucial reveals in storytelling, particularly in mysteries and thrillers, centering around the protagonist's misconceptions about the villain's motives. For a twist to resonate, it must be rooted in logical misassumptions rather than feeling arbitrary or out of the blue. Writers should focus on crafting twists that not only surprise but also maintain coherence upon reflection. This approach ensures that readers find meaning in the twists rather than feeling misled without the requisite clues.

Intro

3min

Mastering Plot Twists in Mystery and Thriller Writing

8min

Mastering Plot Twists Through Character Depth

19min

Mastering the Art of Plot Twists

5min

Crafting Compelling Antagonists in Series

4min

Navigating Mystery and Thrill in Storytelling

2min

Crafting Clear and Engaging Narratives

2min

Crafting Thrilling Narratives: Insights and Resources

3min

Master the art of the jaw-dropping plot twist and transform your readers from passive page-turners into gasping, can't-put-it-down fans.

Ever gasped out loud while reading a thriller? That moment when everything flips upside down and you think, "I should have seen it coming!" 😱

That's the power of a well-crafted plot twist.

Creating these goosebump-inducing moments isn't magic—it's a skill that any writer can master, even if you’re just starting out. And who better to learn from than someone whose superpower is brainstorming plot twists?

Samantha Skal is the director of Thriller Fest, the co-founder of Shadows and Secrets Writing Retreats (held in Salem’s most haunted hotel!), and a certified Author Accelerator book coach specializing in mystery, thriller, and suspense. So to say she knows a thing or two about crafting plot twists would be an understatement.

In the episode, you’ll hear us talk about things like:

[04:45] The difference between using red herrings in mysteries and thrillers(and why mixing them up might be killing your story's suspense)
[07:11] Why "playing fair" with readers is the cardinal rule of plot twist writing—and how breaking it turns clever twists into manipulative disappointments
[15:12] Why starting with your villain (not your protagonist) is the secret to crafting plot twists that are surprising yet inevitable
[24:00] How your character's personal baggage can become your most powerful tool for misdirecting readers (without feeling manipulative)
[40:45] The counterintuitive reason why vague storytelling kills suspense—and what to do instead to create maximum tension

Whether you're excited to start your first novel or stuck somewhere in the middle of a manuscript, wondering how to surprise your readers, this episode will help you craft plot twists that feel both surprising and inevitable.

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