When to finally reveal plot twist to characters?
In a post-apocalyptic novel I'm writing (which is the subject of many questions I've asked on Writing.SE), I recently cut out my entire Chapter 10-11. I was revealing the MC, Eris' finékinesis (death-force manipulation) to her love interest, Caspian, and her accidental killing of his mother and her own family, but in the middle of writing it, I realized that it was probably too soon, realistically, for Eris to reveal a part of her past that she'd blocked out after knowing Caspian for roughly a week.
At this point in the story, however, Eris' own actions are becoming more obvious to her, and my beta readers also understand that Eris is the one who killed both Caspian's mom and Eris' family. I just don't think it's the right time to reveal this to the characters, and I'm faltering a bit on identifying when is a good time.
If this helps, according to an eight-point story arc, I think my story is moving from the quest stage to the surprise stage.
This post was sourced from https://writers.stackexchange.com/q/46603. It is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
1 answer
The 8-point arc:
- Stasis (Normal World)
- Trigger (Inciting Incident)
- The quest (Leaving the Normal World)
- Surprise[s] (actions complicating/learning the problem)
- Critical choice (Understanding, then choosing risk)
- Climax (Solving the problem, incurring the costs)
- Reversal (Fallout -- problem solved, underdog on top)
- Resolution (The New Normal World).
I believe you are on track! In (4)[surprises] the nature of Eris' problem is something she needs to become certain of. The deaths are her fault. There can be no more question in her mind, or the reader's mind. This is a complicating factor, a conflict, she knows she is guilty and is reluctant to do anything about it, because it has the potential to ruin her life. There should be some consequences for keeping this secret, even if she is the only one that feels them.
In (5)[Critical Choice] Eris needs to come to the realization it is going to definitely ruin her life if she continues to let this secret fester inside her. It will destroy her relationship. Perhaps her love interest is despondent over the death of his mother, or thinks he knows who did it and plans to take vengeance on an innocent person -- Making Eris responsible for yet another death. She has to make the critical choice to risk her relationship by revealing the truth, with the evidence for it.
In (6)[Climax] She does this. It doesn't have to be the only climax, but it could be. Perhaps she does this after the main Climax.
In (7)[Reversal] She is forgiven.
In (8)[Resolution] Her relationship is consummated, with no deceptions, she is loved for her true self.
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