Happy Halloween!

Did y'all like those scary photos on Friday?

Well, here's what's hanging around my house.


Decidedly UN scary!

But that's OK. We have mostly single-digit kids around here, and many aren't even in school yet, so we keep that in mind. They still react when a witch with-a-smile or zombie who-likes-cookies-instead-of-brains opens the door :)

It's the unexpected twist.

And we all know how valuable twists can be when constructing our story. See? You didn't expect that, did you :)

Twists are cool in the plot, but don't limit yourself. Character twists are awesome. Twists in the setting can work well, too.

They don't need to be jarring or over the top, either. Subtle shifts can sometimes be even more effective.

How do you use twists in your work?

Speaking of twists, Hurricane Sandy is twisting her huge self into a frenzy right about now. Many of you will be subjected to her wrath for at least a few days. Please ...

Follow guidelines for your area.

Most of all, Stay Safe.

And as soon as you can, let us know when the danger has passed for you.

You're all in my thoughts and prayers.

And to all ...






Comments

My twists aren't dramatic, but there's a few.
Yes, no one do anything stupid during the hurricane - stay safe.
Stina said…
I like writing twists, once I figure out what they are.

I love cute Halloween decorations. Love the ghost!
I love reading twists...I find it tricky to write them!

Hoping for the best for those in the path of the storm.
Praying for those in the path of the storm. In MO, this morning, as I drove east (a mile) to work, the sky was the strangest thing. I've never seen it like that before.
Talli Roland said…
I'm a huge fan of twists, but they do take a lot of plotting!
Luanne G. Smith said…
A good twist at the end of a story can really be satisfying.
Liza said…
I love when I'm reading and I get to a twist that makes me say out loud, "No way!" I'm impressed when someone can surprise me that way. Thanks for the Sandy good wishes. The wind is just gearing up here now...but we'll be out of the worst of it, thank goodness.
Carol Kilgore said…
Alex - A twist is a twist :)

Stina - Same here. I never know them in advance.

Elizabeth - I usually have to go back and build things in.

Teresa - Different-looking skies tend to freak me out a little.

Talli - So true. Usually that means replotting for me :)

L.G. - I think so, too.

Liza - Whew! I know you live near the water.
Linda Kage said…
I like happy Halloween twists. My in-laws put a smilie face on their jack-o-lantern. When Lydia saw it, she exclaimed "It's hacky!" (hacky=happy in her book)

I plan to write a modern Cinderella twist book about the guy being the poor, nice maid-like person and the girl being princess-ly! My sister loves the idea!
Happy Halloween!
Thumbs up to the twists we all look forward to - plot twists! Hope you are safe from the twisted hurricane.
Johanna Garth said…
I love your decorations :) And agreed, nothing better than reading a good twist.
J.L. Campbell said…
Hi, Carol,
I like stories with lots of twists, as long as I get to breathe at some points.

I see you're def in the spirit of the season.
DEZMOND said…
oooh, a sparkly pumpkin... how utterly divine and posh :)
Hope you're not anywhere close to that Sandy wench, Carol :(
G. J. Jolly said…
Yes, I loved your pictures on your Friday post. I have an all black cat myself. She does like to sit in the window sometimes. Maybe I can bribe her to stay there for a while on the 31st. Canned kitty food should do it.

The little ones are so cute in their costumes. We don't have any small ones in our neighborbood. ;(
Helena said…
I love twists in novels, movies, TV shows, anything. They make any story so much more exciting.

I love (most) the photos you had on Friday. Not the spider. And my former cat (black, green-eyes, now deceased) could sometimes give me that snarky look.
Carol Kilgore said…
Linda K - I love your new idea! And "hackly" :)

Michelle - All safe. The storm is in the Atlantic, in the northeast of the US; I'm in Texas in the south central part near the Gulf of Mexico.

Johanna - Thanks :)

J.L. - So true about stopping to breathe. Some thrillers don't allow for much breathing room.

Dezmond - Glad you like our pumpkin :) The Sandy wench is far away from me!

Glynis - I love the little ones :)

Helena - A little snark adds a spark to life :)
Morgan said…
LOL! This whole post was a twist! You got me. ;-)

But thanks for this, Carol. I'm very conscious of twists in my writing---and try to use both jarring and subtle twists...

And love to all those east! <3
Emily R. King said…
For me, "twists" are a part of character growth. They're like steps on a ladder. The character changes one step at a time. But I really like big twists. I just finished THE FALSE PRINCE, and it has a huge one at the end. It was awesome.
Carol Kilgore said…
Morgan - My sister says I'm the Twisted Sister :)

Emily - I like twists like that, too!
I do love a good twist. I surprised myself at an improv writing thing tonight with a twist that came out in the 10 minutes that I had to write to a photo prompt. And unlike when one usually writes something and puts it out there, I got to see everyone react when I hit the twist. Man, that was fun and satisfying!


Shannon at The Warrior Muse
LR said…
Boo!

Have a fun day.

Twists are tricky. It's hard to make them truly surprising without seeming contrived.
Carol Kilgore said…
Shannon - Ooh, that does sound like fun! I love writing to photo prompts :)

LR - I think twists are easier to write in short fiction.
Cherie Reich said…
Such cute Halloween pictures! And I like your twists for Halloween costumes!
Jennie Bennett said…
I have that same pumpkin, lol! My oldest is 4 :)
Carol Kilgore said…
Cherie - Twisted mind - LOL!

J.A. - Garden Ridge or Hobby Lobby ... I forget which. Oooh, love 4-yr old trick or treaters :)
Julie Flanders said…
Your Halloween decorations are adorable! I love this time of year so much. Happy Halloween to you! :)
Southpaw said…
HAPPY HALLOWEEN! We are fortunate Sandy has passed us now. Everyone is busy cleaning up the streets for the trick-of-treaters.
M Pax said…
Happy Halloween!

all my family lives back east, so I spent a large portion of yesterday trying to get a hold of people -- mostly my sister in New Jersey. They're all OK, so, phew.
Jemi Fraser said…
I have one character twist I just love in one of my stories - they're so much fun! :)

Hope you have a great evening with the little goblins who visit :)
I love a good twist in a story! I also hope that everyone is safe while getting back on track after Hurricane Sandy. Julie
Carol Kilgore said…
Julie - So do I. I just had a jellyfish at my door!

Southpaw - You could have each trick or treater pick up one thing :)

M Pax - So glad everyone is OK.

Jemi - Batman and The Bumble Bee arrived earlier :)

Julie - Same for me!
Nick Wilford said…
I always worry my twists are too obvious. Tricky stuff!

Hope that everyone is safe.
Carol Kilgore said…
Nick - That's where good critique partners come in :)
I love twists in what I am reading, so I try to get them into my writing, too. Not always easy.

Hurricane Sandy spared us for the most part. Just a some down trees and a couple days without power, but many people are struggling with devastating losses. It's so sad. The power and the fury of Mother Nature.
Carol Kilgore said…
Cynthia - I'm so happy to know you are OK. Sometimes the Weather Mama just works herself into a tizzy and wipes out everything.
I love reading unexpected twists in stories.

Saw the devastation photos caused by Sandy- was awful.
Anonymous said…
I love the glittery pumpkin.

One of my WIPs has a subtle twist towards the end. I can't wait to hear what my CP's have to say about it.
aw, I love that shiny pumpkin! That's the way to do Halloween! ;)

I love twists and in my stories I love mixing it up eg like as you said, twists in characters and settings.
I absolutely love well-written twists in the stories. And I definitely include twists in my own novels too :-)
Carol Kilgore said…
Nas - I've seen those photos, too. So many lost so much.

Medeia - I love my glittery pumpkin, and I'm sure your CP's will love your twist :)

Lynda - Same here for me :)

Angela - So do I :)

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