Plot Twist Story Prompts: Forced Out

Plot twist story prompts aren't meant for the beginning or the end of stories. Rather, they're for forcing big and small turns in the anticipated trajectory of a story. This is to make it more interesting for the readers and writers alike.

Each week, I'll provide a new prompt to help twist your story. Find last week's prompt, Bad Guy Good, here.

For today's prompt, force one of your characters out of something. Your character, for instance, could be forced out of a job...or a relationship...or an exclusive club. Or get a little more physical and force your character out of a moving vehicle (like a plane, train, or hot air balloon).

(How a Strong Character Arc Can Make Readers Love Your Protagonist.)

Even if you're only forcing a character out of a room, there's an immediate change in the character's situation. The change in situation creates conflict. And conflict is at the heart of any good story, because your character has to make a decision to either act or react (even if reacting just means crying about their new situation).

Of course, there may be other fun elements of this plot twist for your story. Who forces the character out of whatever? Who has to deal with your character now that they're forced out of their something? Also, does your character want back? Or are they already looking for the next opportunity? Answers to these questions and more can make for a compelling story.

So force your character out of something, and see what happens next.

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Have you hit a wall on your work-in-progress? Maybe you know where you want your characters to end up, but don’t know how to get them there. Or, the story feels a little stale but you still believe in it. Adding a plot twist might be just the solution.

Click to continue.