Plot Twist Story Prompts: Unexpected Reaction

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, Hidden Abuse, here.

For today's prompt, have a character react in an unexpected way. Someone finds out they've inherited a lot of money and seem unfazed by the news or—even more unexpected—seem irritated by the unexpected windfall. That is not how most people would react to learning about a financial gain, and it creates a sense of mystery around why that was the reaction.

(Creating Emotional Frustration in Your Characters.)

Of course, this can be a good time to turn characters and situations on their head—possibly for comedic effect. In a horror novel, the "scaredy cat" character may show an unexpected moment of bravery when facing down a ghost or monster. In an adventure story, maybe the main protagonist who is usually not afraid of any danger reveals their mortal fear of bunny rabbits or tomatoes.

The unexpected reaction forces other characters—and readers—to reconsider a character's values and intentions in a new light. When done well, this can add complexity to both your characters and stories.

So have a character react in an unexpected way, 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.