You’ve built a surprise into your story, the kind you hope readers won’t see coming. But is it a twist or a reversal? Plenty of writers use the two words as if they mean the same thing, and asking which is which is nothing to feel embarrassed about. The difference between a twist and a reversal is small to describe and big in practice. In this short answer I’ll show you where each one sits in my TRD framework on Jane’s Plotting Roadmap, what the T, the R, and the D actually stand for, and why every one of them has to catch the reader off guard.
The question is, I know this is embarrassing, but what’s the difference between a twist and a reversal? I’m hoping really that you aren’t embarrassed. I appreciate all questions. And I’m a believer in the old maxim that the only stupid question is one you don’t ask.
Further, if you want to know, someone else does too. So keep those questions coming. A twist and a reversal, I’m sure that you are asking in the context of my TRDs. That is one of the acronyms I use regarding my plotting roadmap, Jane’s Plotting Roadmap, which you’ll find in all of my books on the craft of writing, including Mastering Suspense, Structure & Plot, Mastering Plot Twists, and Beat the Bots. TRDs stands for plot twist, plot reversal, and a moment of heightened danger.
A twist is unexpected, but not the opposite. A reversal is unexpected and the opposite. And so that’s the key difference. They’re all unexpected. Same with the D for danger, which by the way could be emotional, mental, spiritual, or physical.
The thing that makes it a twist is the unexpected nature of it. A twist takes you kind of sideways, a reversal. That’s just the opposite of what we would have expected. Good luck with it.
I know you can do it. If this tip had value for you, would you like it? Would you share it? Would you subscribe to the channel that opens up features that lets us make these videos even more valuable for you?
Thank you.
*Transcripts are software-generated. To report any transcription errors, please use my contact form!
