STICK or twist?
A twist ending can give a real edge to a story if it’s done well. Alex Davis tells you how to perfect the fine art of the twist
Alex Davis
FANTASTIC REALMS
Twist endings are powerful – it’s not hard to pull from memory great examples across all types of fiction. They tend to have an extra impact when they are a genuine surprise. Equally, the mere rumour of a twist featured in something before you read it changes the way you engage with it entirely, consciously or unconsciously pitting yourself in a game of wits with the writer as they seek to wrongfoot you at every turn.
Done well, a twist can absolutely make a book, ensuring it a great reputation as a very clever piece of writing. It can also be rather a skill, which some writers and directors have built formidable reputations upon.
None of that’s to say that trying to write a twist is risk-free – anything but, in fact. Going for a twist is the ultimate gamble for a writer – it’s a truly allor- nothing wager. Because if it doesn’t work – for whatever reason – the whole book can fall entirely flat and go down as one with a nonsensical, obvious or potentially even bad ending. Although a book with a more traditional ending might still come out with some credit even if the finale isn’t great, when you come to realise the whole book was building up to the twist, a bad one can invalidate the whole reading experience.
Twists in the tale are not be treated lightly – but if we are going to try it, how can we make sure to get it right?