As a reader, my favorite plots twists are the kind I didn’t see coming … but that when I think back over the story, I realize, I should have seen them coming. The groundwork was all there, and if I had picked up on the subtle clues, I would have realized that things had to happen like this.
As a writer, those are my favorite kinds of plot twists too. The kind that, even though I have the book roughly outlined, I don’t see coming until I’m in the middle of writing them. In my last release, Not Until Now, an entire subplot came about this way. I don’t want to be too spoilery, in case you haven’t had a chance to read the book yet, but the twist has to do with a tragedy involving someone close to Kayla and the doubts and questions about God that it raises for her. That was a major plot twist for me, because when I started writing the book, I thought Kayla was going to be a bastion of faith, the one who was going to help Cam wrestle with his own doubts. But writing that scene was an aha moment for me. Because when life gives us twists (and does it ever!), how often to we react with our own doubts and questions and fears? I didn’t see it coming because Kayla thought she was firm in her faith (and so did I!)—but I should have.
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful so you don’t fall! (1 Corinthians 10:12)
Ultimately, watching Kayla go through those questions and doubts added a richness and depth to the story that would have been missing otherwise.
Of course, that plot twist is nothing compared to the plot twist God set in motion the moment he promised to send his Son into the world to die for us. Today, as we recognize Holy/Maundy Thursday, I think of all the plot twists that first Easter weekend brought, especially for the disciples who were experiencing it alongside our Lord. Holy week started with Jesus’ triumphant ride into Jerusalem, and the disciples must have thought they were on top of the world. They should have seen the plot twist coming—Jesus had flat-out told them it was coming. But they didn’t quite get it yet.
And then on Thursday, they thought they were just enjoying the Passover with their Savior. They didn’t understand why he would wash their feet (they knew this was a plot twist … they should be washing his), and they didn’t understand why he told Judas to go quickly and do what he was about to do. Even though Jesus had just told them that Judas was going to betray him.
And then there was Peter … what a night of plot twists for him. First, when the soldiers came to arrest Jesus, Peter pulled out his sword and cut a guy’s ear off, thinking he was defending his Savior. When Jesus told him to put away his sword and then went so far as to heal the enemy, that must have stunned Peter. Even though he should have seen it coming, since Jesus had told him that he had to be delivered into the hands of his enemies. And then, as Peter—who had been so sure he would follow his Lord to the point of death—stood around the courtyard of the high priest, he found himself in the heartbreaking plot twist of denying his Savior. Just like Jesus had told him he would.
The next day, as Jesus hung on the cross, his disciples must have been waiting for a major plot twist. Even those who hated Jesus wondered if there would be one.
He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One. (Luke 23:35)
But this time, there wasn’t a plot twist. And they should have seen that coming too. Because Jesus had told them time and time again that he had come into the world for this very purpose.
From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. (Matthew 16:21)
There was no plot twist on Friday. No plot twist on Saturday.
But on Sunday! The greatest plot twist of all! Jesus rose from the grave. He had defeated sin and death once and for all. Another plot twist they should have seen coming, since Jesus had promised it!
And the best part of that plot twist is that it changed the plot of our lives too. Though we deserve nothing but death and hell for our sins, Jesus’ death and resurrection have given the promise of forgiveness and eternal life to all who believe in him.
This Easter and always, may your heart be filled with the joy of this greatest plot twist of all!
Do you enjoy plot twists in books? If so, do you like them to be big and shocking or subtle and surprising? Any books to recommend with great plot twists? Or maybe you’ve experienced a “plot twist” in your own life (our own plot twist is an upcoming move from Wisconsin to Texas…but as it’s still in the planning stage, I’ll have to let you know how it goes in a future post!).
Mary Preston says
I LOVE plot twists in books. Like them subtle and dramatic.
Paula Marie says
I love plot twists! Here’s a little bit about me, I was born in Holy Thursday!
Lelia (Lucy) Reynolds says
I love plot twists in books. Have a Blessed and Happy Resurrection Day.
Dianne says
I also love plot twists, obvious and subtle. I always find it interesting how people filter what they hear through the prism of their beliefs and experience and then are surprised. A friend prayed for guidance and she said God told her if she returned to study she wouldn’t have to worry about money. Two years later she recounted this to me stressed about how to make her mortgage payment. When I pointed out God said she wouldn’t have to worry about money, not that she would have money. She prayed, worried and saved her house.
Deb Galloway says
I love a plot twist, no matter how it comes out. I believe in life we experience one plot twist to another–at least I have! Even the ones I should have seen coming I never do. I don’t think we ever do. If we could it wouldn’t be considered anything other than normal daily life…..Oh boy, did I just say that word?? Back up….typical daily life!! 😊
Happy Easter Val, to you and your family! Have a great vacation/trip next week. Chloe’s going to love it & they will love her!
Jcp says
The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton
Margaret Nelson says
I stayed up late last night finishing Not Until Now! Loved it!!
I also love Carol Moncado’s plot twists.
Valerie M Bodden says
That’s great to know! Happy Easter!
Valerie M Bodden says
That’s so neat, Paula Marie! My youngest’s birthday happened to fall on Easter last year, and she thought it was the coolest thing ever. :)
Valerie M Bodden says
Thank you for sharing! And Resurrection Day blessings to you as well!
Valerie M Bodden says
That’s a good point–we do filter things through our own expectations. Often plot twists come when we have to look at things in a new way!
Valerie M Bodden says
I’m with you there, Deb! Life is full of plot twists. And I think it’s only in hindsight that we can say, “Well, I should have seen that coming.” I was actually thinking about the disciples last night and how it’s easy for us to see that they should have seen Jesus’ death and resurrection coming…but if we had lived then, would we have seen things any differently? Thank you, as always, for your encouragement! And happy Easter to you and your family!
Valerie M Bodden says
That title definitely makes me think plot twist!
Valerie M Bodden says
Oh yay! I’m so glad you loved it! I don’t think I’ve had a chance to read one of Carol Moncado’s books yet…off to add to my TBR. :) Have a blessed Easter!
Trudy says
I love plot twists! I’ll admit, I like them better if I don’t figure it out for sure until the characters do! If I figure it out before, I’m a bit disappointed. Can’t wait to hear how things go next week with Chloe and the rest of you!!
Natalya Lakhno says
Do you enjoy plot twists in books? Love them!
If so, do you like them to be big and shocking or subtle and surprising? I enjoy both!
Any books to recommend with great plot twists? Too many to list ;)
Paula Marie says
I have had 4 Easter birthdays in my lifetime so far!! I always felt special for the Holy Thursday through.
Valerie M Bodden says
Thanks, Trudy! I go both ways on plot twists–sometimes I like to know what’s coming when the characters don’t, so I can anticipate their reactions (and I especially like if I’m wrong about how they’ll react–another plot twist!). But for some situations (especially a mystery), I prefer not to figure it out before the characters–I want to be just as surprised as they are. Have a blessed Easter!
Valerie M Bodden says
Lol, that last question was unfair of me. :) But I’m glad to know you love both kinds of plot twists and have found many great books with them! Have a blessed Easter!
Priscila Perales says
I love plot twists that are of the subtle and surprising variety (I read a YA book that had a shocking one, and even 5 chapters after it happened, I was still rattled and wanting for it all to be a dream, lol).
Thank you for this beautiful reflection! Hope everything works out with your move to TX. Happy Easter and God bless!
Valerie M Bodden says
Some plot twists can be brutal and leave you wishing they hadn’t happened–even as you love them, lol!
Thank you so much for your encouragement! Have a blessed Easter!
Megan says
I like plot twists, sometimes I can figure it out ahead of time and other times it’s a total surprise. Happy Ressurection Sunday to everyone!
Valerie M Bodden says
It can be fun both ways! :) Happy Resurrection Day to you as well!
Mary Kennemer says
I enjoy the plot twists. I hope your move will go well. Welcome to Texas. I’ve lived here all my life.
Alicia haney says
Hi, I love plot twists , that keep me on the edge of my sit. I love reading books with plot twists. A Big Warm Texas welcome from a native Texas. May you and your family have a Blessed Easter.
Trixi says
I like subtle and surprising plot twists in a book…and don’t like to be shocked. It’s kind of like changes in my life, if they are too sudden, it throws me off and feels like the rug has been pulled from under my feet. I don’t it at all! I like gradual or planned changes because I feel more in control and can go more with the flow of things.But of course, we all know that changes don’t always go according to plan or slow and planned :-)
There was one huge plot twist in a book I read recently (can’t remember the title now) where one of my favorite characters and a well loved one in the town where the book was set, suddenly died. Talk about shocking!! I had to put the book down and take a moment to process what I had just read. It took me a while to want to pick it back up because it was so sudden and unexpected.
There have been many plot twists in my own life that I’ve had to ride out, but God has been there every step of the way & things worked out the way they should. Of course, I had to wait for hindsight vision to see it :-)
Valerie M Bodden says
Thanks, Mary! We’re excited to explore all that Texas offers!
Have a blessed Easter!
Valerie M Bodden says
Thank you, Alicia! We have been touched by the warm Texas welcome we’ve received from everyone we’ve talked to there! Have a blessed Easter!
Valerie M Bodden says
I know what you mean, Trixi! I like being surprised by a plot twist but not necessarily shocked. There’s definitely a difference, especially if it comes out o f the blue. The death of a beloved character in fiction can be hard to process–even though we know they aren’t real, we certainly have real feelings for and about them. It certainly would be nice if in real life we could choose to have all our plot twists slow and planned. What a blessing that in hindsight we can see how God was working in all things (and even when we might not be able to see it, we can trust that he always is!).
Have a blessed Easter!
denise says
plot twists keep you on your toes
Debra J Pruss says
Yes, I do enjoy plot twists in books. As a matter of fact, I am going through two plot twist in real life right now. I am grateful to the Lord that no matter what happens, He is always there. Happy Easter.
Ausjenny says
One I read the Heroine had come home so to speak to take over her fathers business and we find out she had a boyfriend who she had broken up with partly due to him being processive. Now thousands of miles separate them so its over. In the book some things happen which a disgruntled employee gets the blame for. In my mind I thought the ex is behind this but he’s not mentioned or eluded to. To many it wouldn’t been picked up on but just the few sentences made me go its him isn’t it.
Another book the author has a very minor character that needs things ordered I actually asked does he have a form of autism. And while it wasn’t mentioned turns out it was based on an high functioning Autistic person. I love sub plots and I have those hidden gems. What I don’t like is red herrings that go no where.
Regina Rudd Merrick says
God is the author of the original plot twist!! Thank you for this post, Valerie, and Happy Easter!
Laurie Larsen says
Oh what a wonderful, uplifting post Valerie! Hallelujah! He is Risen!
Laurie
Valerie M Bodden says
That’s for sure! Have a blessed Easter!
Valerie M Bodden says
Real-life plot twists definitely keep things interesting–what a blessing to know that God is there through them all. Have a blessed Easter!
Valerie M Bodden says
That’s a good point–I love, love subplots, but I agree that there has to be a point to them/they have to go somewhere, not be red herrings that never come up again. But spotting hidden gems tucked within a subplot is always a joy!
Valerie M Bodden says
He is indeed! What a blessing! Happy Easter to you!
Valerie M Bodden says
Thank you, Laurie! He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!
Narelle Atkins says
Hi Valerie, lovely post. And yes, we are celebrating the ultimate plot twist on Sunday! Thanks for sharing and Happy Easter. 😊
Valerie M Bodden says
Thank you, Narelle! Happy Easter to you!
Amy Perrault says
I love plot twist books
Valerie M Bodden says
That’s great to know! Thanks for sharing, Amy!