Plot Twist Story Prompts: Under the Influence

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, Placing Blame, here.

For today's prompt, let a character fall under the influence of something or someone. This could be as simple as having a character get drunk or do drugs. Once a person does drugs, of course, they tend to act in different ways than when they're sober, which can move the plot in unexpected ways.

(Did Hemingway say, "Write drunk, edit sober?")

If the character often engages in this kind of behavior, it can move the plot in expectedly unexpected ways while developing the character. However, a character who does not usually imbibe or partake may have more startling and memorable impacts on the plot if they find themselves acting completely out of character. The results of which could be humorous or horrifically dramatic.

But remember that there are other possibilities for coming under the influence as well. A character could come under the influence of a magic potion or spell. Or perhaps, they're influenced by popularity and/or being in the presence of a celebrity. And don't forget the possibility of mind control.

Characters who are under the influence act in different ways than normal. So let your characters fall under the influence and see where it takes your characters and your story.

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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.