#187. How To Write An Unforgettable Plot Twist In Your Novel With Samantha Skal

Master the art of the jaw-dropping plot twist and transform your readers from passive page-turners into gasping, can't-put-it-down fans.

Ever gasped out loud while reading a thriller? That moment when everything flips upside down and you think, "I should have seen it coming!" 😱

That's the power of a well-crafted plot twist.

Creating these goosebump-inducing moments isn't magic—it's a skill that any writer can master, even if you’re just starting out. And who better to learn from than someone whose superpower is brainstorming plot twists?

Samantha Skal is the director of Thriller Fest, the co-founder of Shadows and Secrets Writing Retreats (held in Salem’s most haunted hotel!), and a certified Author Accelerator book coach specializing in mystery, thriller, and suspense. So to say she knows a thing or two about crafting plot twists would be an understatement.

In the episode, you’ll hear us talk about things like:

• [04:45] The difference between using red herrings in mysteries and thrillers(and why mixing them up might be killing your story's suspense)
• [07:11] Why "playing fair" with readers is the cardinal rule of plot twist writing—and how breaking it turns clever twists into manipulative disappointments
• [15:12] Why starting with your villain (not your protagonist) is the secret to crafting plot twists that are surprising yet inevitable
• [24:00] How your character's personal baggage can become your most powerful tool for misdirecting readers (without feeling manipulative)
• [40:45] The counterintuitive reason why vague storytelling kills suspense—and what to do instead to create maximum tension

Whether you're excited to start your first novel or stuck somewhere in the middle of a manuscript, wondering how to surprise your readers, this episode will help you craft plot twists that feel both surprising and inevitable. 

⭐ Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts

"I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Be sure to let me know your favorite episodes, too! 

Also, if you haven't done so already, make sure you're following the podcast! I'll be adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you're not following the show, there's a good chance you'll miss them. Click here to follow now!

🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:

• Samantha Skal’s website
• Shadows & Secrets Retreats
• Freebie: 17 Thriller Twist Ideas to Jumpstart Your Brainstorming

FREE QUIZ: Take this 30-second quiz to get a custom action plan that'll help you move from stuck writer to published author!

Support the show

👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.