How to Subvert Your Reader's Expectations

How do stories stay fresh?

Writing scholars, publishing professionals, and avid readers can all tell you that Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey is the most common and universal plot structure in our plethora of stories. And there’s a reason for that. It is the most familiar way readers can experience conflict and growth along with the characters.

But if most stories are using that same plot structure, how do are they all so original?

First off, plot structures are literally a template for your story’s progression. Think of it like a blank page in a coloring book. Each writer is going to color that page differently. The best writers though add their own flare to the art: erasing pieces or adding something new to make the art something different yet familiar.

Those creative liberties are what allow writers to make a story uniquely their own. They subvert the readers expectations and add twists and turns that excite and thrill their readers.

Give your reader something they’ve never seen before.

After reviewing your list from last week, you know what your reader expects from a story like yours, right? You know what other authors and creators have used when writing stories with similar characters or settings.

Now as yourself “what if?”

What if, in your screenplay about superheroes, the protagonist turned out to be the villain in the end? What if, in your love triangle, both romantic interests fall each other instead of your protagonist?

What if you pulled a common trope from your other favorite genre? What if the damsel in distress was the star athlete and the real knight in shining armor was the loner everyone picked on at school?

Set a timer for five or ten minutes and just make a list of “what ifs.” See what resonates with you as you brainstorm. What excites you? What stands out as something you’ve never seen anyone do before?

Take that “What if” and run with it!

Once you’ve let those “what ifs” stew for a moment, pick on that excites you the most and jot down how it would fit your story. Which character would that best fit? What kinds of characteristics would they have? What would the backstory for this element need to be in order to make it work?

Because that’s the most important thing to remember when subverting your reader’s expectations:

It still has to make sense.

Your subversion can’t be in your story just for the sake of subverting expectations. It still has to feel cohesive within the world you are building. You have to make sure that it’s weaved into the story carefully.

For instance, your jock main character can’t suddenly win an aerospace engineering contest if they’ve never once studied it. They can surprise their friends and family with the win, but the reader needs to have seen them study late at night in the safety of their room.

Or there needs to be hint that the vampire is hiding something before the reader learns with the protagonist that the real reason they can’t be seen in the sun if because they sparkle. See what I mean?

The subversion must have a purpose.

So how do I find a purpose if I’m just coming up with random ideas?

Well that’s where the fun part comes in. For now, this brainstorm exercise is to help you generate new thoughts and ideas, add more and more to your toolbox. As you draft, you’ll discover connections along the way. Realize that motivation for the character that you never thought about before until you write that one piece of dialogue.

Keep in mind though that purpose may not reveal itself until the second or third draft. Know it will come. Just keep playing.

Because that’s ultimately what we do when we write, right? We play pretend. So have fun playing and discovering what works for your stories. If you have fun writing it, your readers are bound to have fun reading it.

Next week, we will be moving to the next stage of our writing process: exploring characters! So stay tuned! Don’t forget to subscribe so you can stay up to date!

Sending you lots of good writing vibes!

Xoxo,

Kelsey