Plot Twists

As we explored in Plot vs Underlying Social Message, fledgling writers are always tempted by quick ways to get to the top. One of these ways is through the use of plot twists. You know that one shirt where it lists all sorts of plot twists? A lot of those works are only so widely known because of their plot twists. However, you shouldn't just assume that plot twists make good works because of that. But what is a plot twist?
The "Corbin" definition of a plot twist is a story item with the following criteria:

1. It cannot happen before roughly halfway through the work. The plants being the culprit in the Happening is not a plot twist. Multiple characters expressed that "suspicion" very early on. If it had been because of that lady at the end, that would have been a plot twist.

2. It must be unmentioned on the cover, advertisement, whatever (depending on the media format). I haven't read Twilight, but I know Edward is a vampire. I don't know if that was supposed to be a plot twist, but if it was, the author did a terrible job of disguising it in the back synopsis.

3.It has to be something unexpected. In a murder mystery, finding out who did it usually isn't a Corbin defined plot twist. Technically, it's a twist in the plot, but the identity of the killer shouldn't shock you, even if it's the little kid. Want to see a plot twist in a murder mystery? The Westing Game.

4. It has to affect the plot significantly. Discovering that the butler randomly has shovels for hands is not necessarily a plot twist. Even if he uses them to dig his way out of jail, it isn't. Why? Because the important thing is that he escaped from jail, not how he did.

I may be sort of a hypocrite in this regard. My first two works contained major plot twists as well as the one I'm writing right now. However, the first two musicals I wrote were very absurdist. There were plenty of strange things that happened in them. These were just very large strange things. Especially The Ballad of Theylus Mignon. It isn't even a matter of the audience not thinking "the event" was going to happen, "the event" is something that no one would have ever fathomed happening. When I put it up with my commentary, you will just have to see.

So should you not use plot twists? That isn't what I am saying. First of all, I encourage making plots that don't follow the audience's anticipations. But you can do that without the use of plot twists. You should be asking yourself, do I need to use a plot twist? Do I want my work to be remembered as "the one with the plot twist"? It's nearly impossible to watch some older movies now days, because everyone knows there is a plot twist coming. Like Usual Suspects. I loved the movie, and I didn't know there was supposed to be a major plot twist at the end before hand. That one was so good that my jaw almost hit the floor. Unfortunately this has transitioned our society to one that expects plot twists in every movie.

Look at your story mock-up. Are any of your plot items merely trying to mess with your audience minds to an extreme. Perhaps consider removing these, unless you are sure it is going to work. If you have a deep unique plot already, do you want to risk your audience disliking it in the hopes of gaining more fame?

On the other hand, some things are just begging for plot twists. My newest musical begins with a maid moving in to work for a rich eccentric. Ooh, can't you just see the class struggles after they fall in love? You've heard this story before. This is where a plot twist is needed. Now I'm not going to spoil it for any of you, even if you want it. The point is, there is the difference between playing with the audience's preconceptions and forcing things taken for granted down your audience's throat. Playing with preconceptions is the right way to do it.

So be careful with your plot twists and don't ruin other people's well written plot twists by making people expect them in every musical.