How to Write a PLOT TWIST! (Game-Changing Midpoint)

[@anna-yb6wd]

Character: *Breathes*. Abbie: Yes, as you can see, we don’t see how this air MATTERS to the protagonist. Why would she breathe, given her fear clashing with her desire? These are all important questions to ask yourself.

[@SaraOLN]

Oh, no. Too accurate, I say. Too accurate 😂.

[@kaitlin3102]

Lol good one 😅

[@milk_and_co0kies]

I’m laughing to hard.

[@C0CKTAVIAN]

@NapierProductions But how does this matter to the character? How does this change her desire?

[@lelduck6388]

The character would breathe in order to continue living to pursue her goal. She cannot a give her goal if she dies, so she breaths.

[@alex-ff6bh]

damn you're literally saving my writing life

[@davee91889]

"IT'S ABOUT WHY IT MATTERS" has literally become by writing mantra.

[@dawnpoint]

Stop making such good videos! I keep having to rewrite stuff!

[@katiewilson9317]

SAME!

[@lesleyblackvelvet5802]

Same...

[@SamekySantos]

Saaaame lol

[@Star-ie8br]

Hah!

[@Faith-Trust-Pixie-Dust]

🤣🤣🤣

[@cameron120587]

I think that you can do both plot- and character-driven stories, but to be more effective you need to find a ballance of both.

[@uncleanunicorn4571]

I need a nemesis to fall in love with me.

[@TFrills]

Hah. I had an experience sort of like that when I was in high school. I went to school with this tall, snobby hot girl who always wore designer clothes. She used to bully and harass me as a high school senior. She would humiliate me in front of girls and take over the conversation when I tried to talk to my crushes. I hated her cause she towered over me and made me feel like less of a man. It almost seemed like she was doing it on purpose, like she enjoyed it, and she wore high heels every day to make me feel even smaller. One day I heard that she got drunk and told someone that she wanted to fuck me. I confronted her about this, and we ended up going out once. We planned on doing something else together, but she moved to New York for law school not long after graduation. We still message eachother sometimes. I just feel like if she really cared about me, she would make more of an effort to see me when she came back home to Cali to visit instead of flaking out every single time. Sometimes it feels like she's trolling me long-term.

[@Silas_Part_1]

@@TFrills if she is trolling you long term then... you can't even be mad that's some dedication

[@TFrills]

@@Silas_Part_1 Well she did finally come around and make an effort to see me. We went out for dinner and talked for so long that we were the last ones to leave at closing time. Now she likes all my instagram posts and watches all my stories. When we were at dinner, she admitted she liked me and thought I looked like "a young Leonardo DiCaprio" 😆. Unfortunately, she had to go back to New York. But I don't think she's trolling me now.

[@tasnimtamanna4589]

@@TFrills you gave me a ff idea for my fvrt frenemy couple! 😃

[@TFrills]

@@tasnimtamanna4589 fvrt?

[@francescagolden1061]

the fact that my book would be comprised of a single, unedited, poorly written scene if it weren’t for you.

[@blacktee31]

"That's about the audience not the character." "...focus too much on the plot and not enough on the characters." You mean like Game of Thrones?

[@ghostforthemost6027]

the show,? yes...the books? no.

[@ninanadine1185]

Hey Abbie! I just bought your book, 100 days of sunlight! And OMG!!! It was so good! I was so surprised it didn't get an award! I'm hooked on the book! Your a great writer! Keep up the good work! :)

[@ssamyuljins]

Great video as always Abbie! I’d like to share some of the best advice I’ve seen about plot-twists which is that it should make a reader/viewer say “I should’ve seen that coming.” It can’t come out of nowhere, it has to have cleverly hidden build-up. If the reader/viewer can’t make a connection between what they’ve already read/seen and the plot twist, then the plot twist is just forced drama with little meaning.

[@davyolivierbilombo3533]

The manga naruto offers us a good plot twist with the revelation of Itachi being a good guy since day one, protecting his brother all along

[@lisadavis9535]

My favorite game changing midpoint was from "Beautiful Mind" (the film). It was a surprise to learn he was mentally ill, and the audience (me) wasn't sure whether he was or not. It was great!

[@hannahjcattanach3324]

I love a bit of juicy internal conflict!

[@vincentdeporter3140]

OMG! Thank you so much for all your help! My goodness, I've been a comic book writer/artist for over 43 years, published internationally, and yet I'm on my very first novel. So I'm just learning how to write in that medium. I'm really humbled binging on all your videos. Thank you a million times! 😊

[@gailc.m.victor]

Hi Abbie! I've been working on the second draft of my current WIP since about a week or two before you started this series, and somehow kept about a week or two ahead of your videos as they have come out. It's been really helpful in retrospect, seeing that I'm intuitively hitting all the plot points you're describing. Having an outline and knowing what certain beats should be are one thing, but surprising myself with how definitive my story is following those beats has been really insightful and encouraging, since I'm able to define even more what story beats I'm hitting where. Thanks for all the helpful tips, and keep up the good work!

[@kaliskingdom7557]

Yes! I honestly needed a video on this subject! I'm planning a book with a plot twist at the moment. Your videos are always so inspiring and informative! Thank you!!!!!

[@brooklynkramer470]

I've watched this series SO MANY times it's SO GOOD! Thank you so much ABBIE! When I started writing I had no idea what I was doing and now because of you and your videos I am able to continue pursuing my passion for writing and do it RIGHT. I went from panster to planner and love outlining and story plotting and never would have come this far without you. YOU ROCK 😍😎

[@augabachoo]

Just came up with a plot twist for my story while brainstorming. Your perspective definitely helped lead to this revelation because of how personal it is to the main character and fits so naturally to the story that I feel it was now the inevitable outcome of the character's actions and motivations. Thank you, and love your videos and podcast!

[@henriquediniz2572]

agreed, it really did help with me too

[@weresofansie1457]

Watching these videos helped me make my novel so much better! Especially the hook one, I ended up cutting like 3000 words from my first chapter because I was doing too much world building.

[@juju.le.toilet]

So basically, a plot twist isn't really a PLOT twist😂😂😂

[@SaraOLN]

That's the plot twist about plot twists 😂🤭.

[@minart_animates6567]

Such a plot twist!!! 😂😂🤣🤣🤔👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@mostdefinitelynotaguineapi7566]

A plot twist is a twist in the plot, it's just that if it doesn't affect the characters it isn't meaningful.

[@QuinoLising]

I plotted my twist and my plot is twisted. any help on how to fix

[@dimitryanyanwu7681]

@@minart_animates6567 you're twisting my understanding of a plot twist

[@0Zero0794]

Me only undertanding the "if u are from the future" joke now: 😲

[@DaveLH]

3:40 -- Abbie: "In _The Twilight Zone_, you know there's always going to be some crazy plot twist..." Me: "It's a COOKBOOK!"

[@artman2oo3]

4:29 Wow this REALLY applies to the plot twist in the season 1 finale of “The Good Place” - after that shocking twist then you review the entire season up to that point and it makes sense and makes you review almost EVERYTHING that happened under a new perspective.

[@JuliaRobine]

I love all of your videos! Thank you so much for all of your hard work. I downloaded all of your PDFs and am using them for my WIP. We have also included them during homeschool!!! My son is starting 8th grade in a couple months and is writing a book (project) next school year using these PDFs...your information is so good! We went over his favorite shows and books to see if they have the 3 act story structure, and they all did. He realized that his own story was plot driven and had no real internal conflict...once he added the internal conflict it made his story flow. I actually saw it click in his head.

[@oddeyes9413]

The plot twist build up for my book is driving me nuts! I keep feeling like I haven't done it right. So, hopefully, once the first draft is done I can see what needs to be fixed.

[@waynejones5635]

You are such a great teacher and full of great insight. Thank you so much.

[@debrahorst8154]

Thanks for the timely info. Looking forward to next week's video with examples of plot twists. :)

[@joshelcartagenas]

I just started plotting out the outline for my first ever story. It's amazing how more and more of my story changes, for the better, as I go through this series. It's so easy to follow. Thanks for this!

[@natedeanmaan2]

When I was first doing my writing, I had things planned out, but nothing was properly set, thanks to your videos, I managed to take into account many things to improve my story, including creating the plot twist that shakes my main character to his core. I sprinkled in some clues in earlier chapters, and at a moment I thought was right, I created that plot twist that brings forth his fear, which I learned through doing his character analysis, which is that he fears failing.

[@SaraOLN]

Abbie! You just read my mind! I was seriously just thinking about my plot twist 😂. Thanks for this 😊. Abbie must've been like, "Hey, you need some backup with that plot twist?"

[@TheThreeBookshelves]

Almost every one of your videos (and I’ve watched them all in the past month) has given me an “aha” moment about my own book and what I need to do to strengthen the story. This one was no exception. Can’t wait for next week’s! I ordered 100 Days of Sunlight today and I’m so excited to read it next week! I’m also looking to order a craft book, and hoping to get your advice. I know you recommend Story Genius and Wired for Story by Lisa Cron, and I believe you said you preferred Story Genius, but from the title and synopsis it seems to be about story structure, which I don’t think I need right now (especially since I’m a total Save the Cat devotee after reading that in January). Would you still recommend it over Wired for Story, or would I benefit more from Wired for Story? Thanks!

[@nephewater418]

Wired for Story will definitely benefit you more. Great book!

[@director5394]

You are very good at explaining, good luck☺️

[@MilanElan]

Abbie, you are so awesome wholesome. I want my little girl to be like you! God, I love your eyes and eyebrows and the spark you have to educate all wanna be writers like me. You'd make any mother proud!

[@heatherengland5416]

Um... the case study video isn't available. I learn so well from examples and case studies... will you be reuploading it?

[@JustClaude13]

Famous Quote (which I just made up): "Character starts with the word 'care'." The hardest part of a good plot point is how to set it up without giving it away. My favorite plot twists are the ones where I didn't see it coming, but say, "Oh, of course! Now it all makes sense."

[@nosemeocurreunnombredeusua2655]

Exactly what I need right now

[@sophiedotcom6524]

Hello Abbie! I'm new in writing and I'm writing right now on my first book! Your videos are so helpful and I enjoy them to watch keep on doing those awesome videos♥

[@outsiderfilms3437]

Hi Abbie! I’m 12 and am currently writing a novel I hope to get published. Could you make a video about aspiring writers?

[@nosemeocurreunnombredeusua2655]

I'm 17 and I started writing my novel at your age. Good luck :)

[@aaliyah.williams]

I’m seventeen and I began writing stories around that age as well But a little tip that I like to say is don’t call your self an “aspiring writer” if you write then you are a writer. My friends and I created a blog that you may find helpful that’s geared towards teens is www.teenswithpens.com. You don’t have to check it out but you may find it helpful. Good luck with your writing.

[@melkor0626]

Keep going on, kid. Quoting the great Warren Adler: “Never, never, never let fear win. When in doubt, write on.”

[@janedoe5229]

I'm 65 and I am just starting my first novel. We are all in the same boat. I am GLAD that you have such a head start! :)

[@bananian]

How did it go?

[@hina1767]

Hi Abbie thanks for explaining what a plot twist is. I am currently writing a story as part of Advanced Creative Writing Course with the Open University and I will now be able to use your ideas in my next assignment.Thank you so much

[@albertocatania6165]

Question. You said that the twist should be focus on the main character (internal conflict) and not on the plot. Could be possible to create a twist that is at the same time an internal conflict for the main character and also a twist on the plot?

[@BlueEyedBlondie]

I was JUST going to comment asking if you could make a video with examples of a plot twist because I felt like this video only gave the rules of a good plot twist but not how to execute it. Then you said that next week you're making a video with examples. It's like you read our minds, haha! Thanks for another great video, Abbie!

[@iamLauraLieben]

Abbie... you are so amazing. Why did it take me so long to find you!? I'm applying all these concepts to my screenplay. Finally unstuck!! Thanks!

[@oblivious108]

Not gonna lie, you make me nervous when you came to the part of external conflict vs. internal conflict when it comes to writing a twist. It makes me second guess myself and makes me think that I'm f****ing up on my story...

[@TheDreadlockDogMan]

Brilliant tips... love how you keep reminding us to think about our character. We know it... we hear it again and again, nag-nag-nag-nag... but internal conflict... keeps on getting kicked to the curb in my book! And in all the books that bore me. You keep shoving it back in our face. Love it. Keep shoving it at us, hitting us with it... until it becomes habit. You do keep reminding me about why stories matter. Matter, matter, matter, matter.... your videos are changing my story writing skills in minutes. Mind blowing. My story is turning into something that matters. I can feel it already. Thanks.

[@gabrielabianchi1809]

Hi, new follower here from Puerto Rico. I hope your day went well. God bless, take care + happy writing :)

[@GippyHappy]

Every time I hear the intro I think she's going to say "Why does your story matter? Good question, what if I told you- *it doesn't."*

[@oscarrojasjr9984]

This is exactly what I needed to know for my story, thanks Abbie!! :)

[@UserName-xi8rm]

I’m so exited rn ! , my main character thinks her best friend is dead , she left her five years ago , she made an amazing friend Marlee , on my main characters birthday Marlee gives her a gift , she dosent open it until the end of the book , when she opens it at the Nd of the book she finds a piece of paper that reads “verna” ( her best friends name) , Marlee was verna the entire time

[@SaraOLN]

Wow. Sounds pretty cool! Wouldn't your main character recognize Marlee being Verna, though, since they were best friends? Just curious and looking to understand your story much better :).

[@qine6559]

Thiiiiis is sooooo gooood! Feel like Brent Weeks Lightbringer series is totally showing how he masters this.

[@NAGAN071]

I understood more when you talked about twist!

[@katandiefiddle9657]

I love your videos, Abbie! I’m so glad I stumbled upon you through an ad. Your videos have helped me build up the motivation and confidence to actually write a story I had been slowly developing for years. I look forward to one day joining your patreon when I get a job again.

[@jessicacoffman2976]

OMG :( sad I'm late to the show. don't know if anyone will read this but Hi I'm ferly new to the channel but watching your videos has helped me a lot with working out my characters for the romantic tragedy novel that I'm currently working on. I've struggled a lot with learning what makes a romance heartfelt and meaningful and when your trying to write a heart braking tragedy the romance is even more important, But by watching your channel and how you always mention how things should matter to the characters I learned something very important. See I've been trying to figure out the difference between romances I like and the ones I don't and I realized that all the romances that I really loved had two things in common that the others were lacking ether one or both of and that was 1 a reason for the characters to fall in love/ how they fall in love/ why they fall in love 2 what the other characters love and/or acceptance means to them (the why it matters to them) Once I realized that the romances that I loved had these two things at the heart of there stories I couldn't unsee it. But the booktubers and athertubers that I watch don't ever mention this. Does anyone ells see this or is this just me? BTW Love the channel! So glad I found it! :)

[@SaraOLN]

I'm not much of a romance reader or writer, but I'm pretty sure someone out there agrees! I'm sure if I would be more involved in romance stories, these two things would also be something that mattered to me. It's probably because it makes the story have much more depth and a good message when it comes to love :).

[@jessicacoffman2976]

@@SaraOLN I used to hate romance because it always felt meaningless, but then I read some that had a lot of depth and real love in it that showed me how powerful and meaningful a good romance could be when it comes to love and acceptance.

[@SaraOLN]

@@jessicacoffman2976 I feel like I should be more open towards it, honestly. I'm sure I can learn a lot from it.

[@kellyb.johnson5300]

At this point, having watched a handful of your content, you've validated some things I am doing intuitively. Other things are insightful and helpful, especially with NanoWriMo with this year. Thanks.

[@kalvinellisauthor]

Great video. I really enjoy seeing folks break down the science of why a thing works. Makes it easier to digest and then put into practice.

[@roslandjones5469]

Thanks!

[@gordonmiller1]

I'm grateful for your passionate videos. The topics are what's needed. Do you have plans to write a book which encompasses your knowledge on how to write a book? Because, Abbie my friend, I would purchase it 🙂

[@moontuft]

Hi, I love your videos so much and you have inspired me to try and write my own book, so I was wondering is you had any top tips with planning and writing a novel?

[@iremozcelik5770]

These videos are the most helpful videos ever, Abbie’s videos are an instruction manual on how to write a good book but you can actually makes sense.

[@jaquelynebalsani5980]

Thank you for legends to portuguese! I love it

[@umagonz]

great timing !!! Thank you so much for doing this and all your free templates :) truly grateful

[@jonathankey6444]

I’ve never understood why the shift in plans needs to be in the middle of the story or why there needs to be one major one as opposed to a few minor ones. Tension should ratchet up incrementally throughout the story. Multiple plan shifts could be a good way to do that. I don’t get it. This seems to me to be the most arbitrary point in the 3 act structure

[@rebeccarudolph8190]

Can’t wait for next weeks video! 😲

[@didjaseemyjams1582]

One of my favorite plot twists are in Doctor Jekyle and Mr. Hyde.

[@shines9290]

Paris is my favorite tea, next to Yellow and Blue and Victorian London Fog. It's beautiful lilac container on your bookshelf inspired me to go make a cuppa.

[@joyejohnsonauthor]

A Beautiful Mind had my single favorite plot twist ever

[@Pr3p9y_sky]

My favorite plot twist of all time is probably Fight Club. The fact that the MC has to "check" if it is actually true or not makes it even better.

[@lunamoonintheverse]

This really helped me think of stories for my channel. Thankyou!

[@balobadartist9022]

I got water droplets in my keyboard so I’m rewatching this instead of working on my outline. The universe really said “You’re done ✋🏼” Guess I needed a recap 😂

[@godhathirumalaianandanpill3140]

Hey Abbie! I love your videos so much and they're helping me a lot (even though I'm using them to write fanfiction and not an actual book). I never realized that characters were so important and your videos just made me reread my books and realize that they were character-driven, but they had compelling plots which is why I didn't see it at first. Anyway, I have a question about this particular beat. Is it alright if the midpoint is the protagonist realizing that her greatest fear is slowly coming true? Keep rocking!

[@Spark_is_right_here]

@godha thirumalai anandanpillai I’m not Abbie, but’s here’s an answer that she may of given you: Yes! That’s actually a perfect idea. It’ll make the Pre-Midpoint Reactionary Hero a Plot Point SO MUCH STRONGER. Why? Well, I’d assume the reason would be that she would spend that time after the midpoint doing everything she can to stop her fear from fully becoming reality. Hope this answers your question! Stay awesome!

[@woodlandlady7011]

Excellent advice! Thank you, Abbie 💗

[@greatlyinsane]

Brilliant Video: I love the summation at 6:12 Thanks so much

[@emilyeshraghi8197]

You are such a great teacher! Thank you so much!!

[@imbored3063]

my plot twist a bit of backstory ( the protagonist ,demi, thinks this was a dream) demi at age 10 was in a car crash a serious one. it killed her parents and put her in a coma. she has lucid likes dreams with her friends involved , she thinks she is in the future (2150). i want to do this by plot twit i heard my name. my friend screamed yet i did not see her mouth move. "i'm sorry" i felt something. something i hadn't felt in ages. it woke me up. i heard more yelling and saw lights blinding me. it was all fake.

[@JamieMiles_southmainmuse]

Thank you! This helped -- and actually made me feel better about the direction I'm taking my protagonist. yay.

[@roberthoople]

I've often told other writers not to write the twist at the end, but at the beginning. If you don't, that's when you wind up with a 'tacked on' twist that is hollow and unsatisfying.

[@daniel957]

Again ! An excellent video with a lot of content from which we can grow ! I learned among other things, that we need to create that plot twist as something coming from early bits of the narrative. Now, the other important thing is, that it must be meaningful to our character. Well Abbie... thanks for repeating it. I’d say this is the very basic of your teaching. It is also the most important thing I learned from you. I’m currently restructuring my outline based on this, every single thing in my novel will have to matter to my protagonist. Needless to say, the material you provide is extremely useful. (I’ll soon join your Patreon group, I don’t want to miss the fun !) Cheers !

[@elinannestad5320]

I'm stuck with a screen play and these are hitting the spot for me. What I do not understand is how anyone can be so young and so wise. Did she maybe live backwards or something?

[@MariaIsabel-un8sj]

Can you make a Video bout the after-plot? I never know what to do after the First Half of my books

[@mightymoose2121]

You read my mind!!

[@happyfellowship4291]

I know it's a twist ending and not a game-changing endpoint, but whenever I hear the words "plot twist" I immediately think of the ending of The Titan's Curse. Every time I re-read that book I find some new tidbit that makes me go "why didn't I see that before?!?!" It's just really well-done, especially the way Riordan distracts the reader from the di Angelo's real identity >:3 AND if you think of the whole PJO series as one big story, then TTC's ending (and kinda the book itself cause a lotta things happen in that one) IS the game-changing midpoint for its 3-act-story-structure!

[@sparklinglilsecret]

Ladies and gentlemen, the saviour!❤

[@dearcupid_]

Hey Abbie, can you do a video about pacing?

[@SaraOLN]

I believe she did that already 😃. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJjSiZqdadaWhsk

[@blackroseedits394]

Quick question for anyone to answer. I’m writing a ya romance book series named Love is a Dagger. I have two main characters and it’s enemies to lovers. I’m planning on making an arc for my two main characters, Eve and Ryan, and a arc for each relationship. My question is, is it ok for each character to have a game changing midpoint that has nothing to do with the other characters, and a game changing midpoint for each relationship? Like Ryan and Eve’s relationship arc. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks

[@nikkoleburns3213]

Yay! A case study. I love those.

[@hermionegranger1238]

Is it better to write your first book 1st person or otherwise?

[@Joseph.S.Roberts]

Anyway you can do a video all about Short Stories and flash fiction?

[@dashichaconnenow]

I used to take the internal conflict as something I'd understand, because I thought that was a better idea to get a connection with my protagonist, but as I used my misbelief on him, now it's really hard to change his mind, because to be honest, I'd need to change >my mind< with this, or just lie to the readers, showing something that I'm not. Do you think I'd have to change this misbelief to something I don't really believe in to have a real transforming end, or should I do something else? I feel kind of lost... ty for your videos, abbie.

[@paulapoetry]

Awesome video. Thanks, Abbie. 💖

[@999Patriots]

Luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv your hair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

[@ArchiduquesaMA]

the best plot twist I've ever seen is Attack on titan. seriously, go read it or watch the anime. It's absolutly mindblowing

[@32bart10]

The case study was taken down for copyright? :( I was looking forward to the case study lol

[@johnswoodgadgets9819]

(sigh) I do not if this an appropriate post or not, but here it is: I know how to write. I know how to tell a story. I strive to improve always, but I do know what I am doing. But I do not know how to promote what I write. There is a ton of advice out there, all with two things in common. One, they require money, which I do not have, and two they are advice in only the most general terms, which I cannot visualize as applying to my situation specifically. I need help, but I think I may be looking in the wrong place.

[@helanacampling1922]

The links to the other videos are not there.

[@jennal1260]

I like your outfit! Also very helpful right now! X3

[@compequiet0584]

She reminds me so much of Willow shields.

[@maximk9964]

Looks like "How to Twist ANY Plot" video is unavailable :(

[@ytp1210]

Hey Abbie, the video you provided for the examples doesn't work, it says the content is blocked for my country (I live in the U.S.). Due to universal studios copyright. I would like to see the analysis though and I'm sure othes would too 😢

[@msblogger349]

#AskAbbie can u fix the Plot Twist Case Study video so I can see the story examples

[@Softy..]

Hi Abbie!! Is it bad to have my mc's desire change over the course of the book? I was planning on having the thing she pursued turn against her, she is now struggling to find a plan while running away from the thing she once longed for.

[@dianabass4489]

I wanted to watch the "How to Twist Any Plot" video, but it has been shut down. :(