In my previous article about creating a great plot twist, I discussed planting red herrings and using your characters to establish effective false directions in your story. Here we explore the art of plot twists further. 

One way is to plant a plot twist within another plot twist. Although this sounds difficult, it really isn't. You achieve this by disclosing a plot twist, leading the reader into the false sense of security that this is the plot twist, only to reveal the real plot twist, which is even more spectacular. 

Your reader will not be expecting another plot twist so soon, they will still be surprised at the first reveal so will really throw them off guard with your second, more powerful reveal. To achieve this, your first plot twist must be unpredictable, but not too shocking, just dramatic enough to surprise them. You can then really make them gasp with your second twist. You can also use your sub-plot to create a twist. Every novel has one, maybe more sub-plots, to support the main storyline which provides layers to the story, conflict between characters and an added interest. This makes them ideal to use as plot twists. There are many ways you can do this. Here are just a few.

As your story progresses, you can make the action in the sub-plot more powerful, and in doing so, gradually the sub-plot becomes the main plot. The reader will be surprised to realize that the message in the sub-plot has been the true message all along and the main plot was just a diversion. You can also find an angle,- to merge the sub-plot into the main plot in an unexpected or unusual way. Finally, you can use a dramatic event in the sub-plot as a distraction to subtly drop some information into the main plot that you can surprise the reader with later.  

You can also write a novel that doesn't take the 'happy ever after' blueprint. Not every main character has to survive or achieve their expected outcome. In fact, if you were to sentence one of your main characters to a dreadful or unhappy fate, the reader will never know what to expect. This increases their interest and engagement greatly. Again, do not use this method for dramatic effect, but to propel the story in a new exciting direction. If you overdo this method it can drain the reader, but also your plot twists lose their shock value. 

Once you have built the tension with your plot twists, remember to keep the momentum going. The whole point of a plot twist is to draw the reader into the story as they wonder what is going to happen next. This is where you increase the action and tension. Whenever you are writing a plot twist, make sure it is sandwiched between great engaging narrative. Even if you decide that there is going to be just one huge plot twist at the end of the story, it is usually followed up with some narrative. 

If you are in any doubt whether your plot twists are effective, then share your story with friends or family for their opinion. Of course, do not mention the reason you are asking for their feedback, otherwise, they will be on the lookout for plot twists. You can then discover which parts of the plot took them by surprise. I hope this has given you some ideas for your own novels. Hopefully, you are already thinking which surprises your next characters have in store for their audience.