1. OurJud

    OurJud Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    May 21, 2009
    Messages:
    9,502
    Likes Received:
    9,758
    Location:
    England

    Dropping plot twist behind your MC's back?

    Discussion in 'Plot Development' started by OurJud, Oct 1, 2017.

    As I've made clear elsewhere, I'm writing my current WiP in close 3rd, single POV.

    Quite by accident I hit upon a slight problem with a major scene, which would result in a plot twist being given away, but behind my MC's back.

    Do I need to find a way to avoid this at all costs, or could it actually be a useful devise?
     
  2. Simpson17866

    Simpson17866 Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2013
    Messages:
    3,406
    Likes Received:
    2,931
    Othello believes at first that Iago is loyal to him, and Iago monologuing to the audience about how he's going to destroy Othello's life for no reason sounds like a pretty good sized plot twist if I remember right ;)

    I think we could probably start a massive list of stories where a side character learns a secret from the antagonist that turns the story on it's head, but dies before being able to tell the MC anything.

    EDIT: oh, "single POV." Hmm...
     
    Last edited: Oct 1, 2017
    OurJud likes this.
  3. Laurus

    Laurus Disappointed Idealist Contributor

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2017
    Messages:
    538
    Likes Received:
    531
    Location:
    Colorado
    I'm pretty sure that's a literary device called "dramatic irony", so it's not necessarily a problem.
     
    OurJud and Simpson17866 like this.
  4. OurJud

    OurJud Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    May 21, 2009
    Messages:
    9,502
    Likes Received:
    9,758
    Location:
    England
    This is exactly it. Thanks.
     
    Simpson17866 and Laurus like this.

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice