In the new novel I’m working on, an unlucky-in-love Jackie Collins/Nora Roberts type of author describes her romantic history, which mirrors the kind of books she writes.
Perhaps I should watch old soap operas from the 80s, like General Hospital or All My Children for inspiration. Except, I was never really a daytime soap fan, which means I could use your help!
Please let me know which of these plot twists are you favorite (read through them, and then if you’re willing to vote, you can click through at the end. And there’s a reward for doing so!)
Family Member Surprise
There’s a revelation that two people are related and they hadn’t realized. Like in the movie Soap Dish, when Kevin Kline realizes Elizabeth Hue is his daughter (thankfully, they realize this before having sex…)
The Female Main Character is the Villain
This requires having an unreliable or delusional narrator. Like, if there’s a toxic relationship and we believe the whole time that the guy is at fault, but then we’re hit with the truth that she’d been gaslighting him all along.
The Male Main Character is the Villain
Here, we go along believing in the goodness of the male MC, thinking he’s the perfect guy for the female MC, and then we find out he was evil the whole time.
It Was All Just a Dream
The best example of this comes from the infamous season 9 of Dallas, when Pam discovers that her husband Bobby is not dead, and that she’d dreamt an entire season of television.
Return from the Dead
Here, a major character–perhaps a nemesis–returns from the dead, but it isn’t just a dream. There’s often an outrageous explanation. I mean, how could there not be? And speaking of outrageous…
Turns out that a major character who everyone believes is nice has an evil twin who’s going around ruining their reputation. Scandalous!
So, what do you think? Which of these plot twists is the best? You can leave a comment, or use this form to vote.
Thanks for sharing–you’ll find a link for a FREE download on the form!
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