Mastering Plot Twists: How to Use Suspense, Targeted Storytelling Strategies, and Structure to Captivate Your Readers

This craft book explains how to design plot twists through foreshadowing, structure, and the management of reader expectations. Its storytelling strategies apply beyond mystery to memoir, drama, and other forms.

writing craftsuspensestructureforeshadowing

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Work Information

It treats surprise not as accident, but as structure.

A practical nonfiction guide for writers that systematizes plot turns, purposeful surprise, sustained tension, and cross-genre storytelling technique.

Review Summaries

Readers value the practical checkpoints and use of examples. It is accessible for developing writers, though experienced craft-book readers may find parts foundational.

Book Information

Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2018-06-26
Pages: 240 pages
Language: 英語
Size: 14.1 x 1.5 x 21.2 cm
ISBN-13: 9781440352331
ISBN-10: 144035233X
Price: 3158 JPY
Category: 洋書/Education & Reference/Writing, Research & Publishing Guides/Publishing & Books/Authorship

"...A unique and absolutely invaluable toolbox for any author..." ~Kate White, New York Times best-selling author and former editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan Unlock the secrets to superior plot twists! The key to keeping people on the edge of their seat--from memoirs to thrillers and stage plays to screenplays--is filling your stories with unexpected twists and turns. By integrating Plot Twists, Plot Reversals, and Moments of Heightened Danger (TRDs) at crucial points, you can captivate your readers with I-can't-wait-to-see-what-happens-next intrigue. The quicker pace and focused action that comes from strategically placed twists form the core of the nuanced, multifaceted books that sell--and that help you find a devoted readership. In Mastering Plot Twists , Agatha Award-winning author, Jane K. Cleland goes beyond telling writers what to do; she shows you how to do it. Within these pages, you'll find: • A proven, five-step process for using TRDs, with detailed examples from best-selling books • A deep dive into plotting, structure, pacing, subplots, and more to help you develop surprising yet inevitable twists. • "Jane's Plotting Roadmap" and worksheets--essential tools for planning your plot Building on the award-winning instruction provided in Mastering Suspense, Structure & Plot , Cleland's newest guide will help you create effective and credible twists, creating the kind of stories that will keep your readers up long into the night. "...A master class in crafting plots that twist and turn..." ~Hallie Ephron, New York Times best-selling author of You'll Never Know, Dear

Jane K. Cleland is the author of the best-selling and multiple award-wining Josie Prescott Antiques Mysteries (St. Martin's Minotaur). Jane also writes short stories ( Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine ) and articles and books about the craft of writing ( Writer's Digest magazine and Writer's Digest Books), including the bestselling and Agatha-winning book, Mastering Suspense, Structure, & Plot . Jane is the chair of the Black Orchid Novella Award (www.nerowolfe.org), a mentor in Western Connecticut State University's MFA in Creative & Professional Writing program, a guest author at universities and writing conferences across the country, and a member of the fulltime faculty at Lehman College, part of the City University of New York, where she is also the director of the Program for Professional Communications. In addition, Jane was the president of the New York chapter of Mystery Writers of America and a member of the national board. More information is available at www.janecleland.com.

Reviews

A good book for writers of all levels and genres. Well written and interesting to read.
Jane writes a book that in a way revolutionizes the way of making plot twists if not writing a story a a new way using a table system , strategies and logic fed to design that wit the help of TLDs and ICE What is tis ? just buy the book !
This book is quite clearly the best, clearest book on plot twists. It breaks down the structure of plot in a way that makes it easy. A non complicated way of learning the premise and structure of twists and how to integrate them seamlessly into text. Plenty of very clear exercises which will get your book ready. Even if you are a pantser, read this. You can only learn.
I am not bothered that there is some overlap between her two books. The previous book had two parts: Thinking and Writing whereas this book is about Pre-Plotting and Plotting. Her ideas on plotting are introduced in the first section of the older book, but she goes into much greater detail in this newer book. In the Pre-plotting section, I found her discussions of conflict and motive very interesting and helpful. I have a hard time believing the people that claim they didn't learn anything new from this book. I guess they just already know everything or they didn't actually read it. Don't listen to them. There's lots of good information in this book. I cannot speak to the kindle version except to say that the preview here looks good, so I don't know what people are complaining about. So far as the paperback version I bought, it is very good quality for a paperback. The print is dark and easy to read. The paper quality seems better than average for a paperback. Update: I see somebody else who left a bad review mentioned that the author doesn't say what beats to hit. I assume that person was hoping for something similar to Save the Cat. If that's what you like, buy that, but first go on imdb and search for Blake Snyder. In fact, do that with every screenwriting "guru". If their formula or beat sheet could make your work sell, they should have loads of credits. Then do the same with people who say they can teach you to write novels. If they know their craft they should have some published novels with good reviews.
Este libro tiene temas que me interesan y lo encuentro muy estimulante. Tiene consejos de profesional en cuestiones de escritura. Gracias.