May 31, 2021
Plot twists…do you have a favorite you can talk about (yours or someone else’s?)
Can a character be a plot twist? Because Jake, from the Harmony Duprie Mysteries, is not what I planned for him to be.
I first imagined him as a ‘throwaway’ character. He’d get a mention or two, and that was it. His role was to be a bad
memory for Harmony, and that’s it. Well, those of you who have read the series know that isn’t the way things turned out. He basically took over Book 2, Her Ladyship’s Ring.
I tried to get rid of him in Book 3, The Baron’s Cufflinks. I sent him out of town to a job in Chicago. Or so I thought. But I was wrong. He showed up at a ratty little bar in West Virginia, the last place Harmony (or I) expected, and became a pivotal part of the book’s ending.
Tired of fighting with him, I gave him a key role in The Contessa’s Brooch, Book 4, and allowed him to play hero. Shoot, I even let him kiss Harmony. He didn’t mind at all.
Maybe that’s why he cooperated when I sent him out of town in The Samurai’s Inro, Book 5, and he stayed gone. Well, mostly. He came back for a quick cameo and that was it. Frankly, I was tired of him taking over the spotlight.
Then came the last book in the series, The Ranger’s Dog Tags. I finally had a story that I could tell without Jake butting in, and I couldn’t do it. Leave him out, that is. It didn’t feel right. Naturally, he took the minor part I’d given him and turned it into something much larger. You know what? It didn’t even bother me. Jake deserved his sliver of glory.
Back to plot twists – yes, I am a fan. I don’t want to know the book’s ending by the time I finish the first chapter. I once received a critique where I was criticized because the reader didn’t know who the villain was right away. Frankly, I took that as a compliment. And if Jake helps provide the plot twist in several of the books, I can go along with it.
To quote Oak Grove’s Police Chief Sorenson: “There’s one more thing that bothers me, Miss Duprie,” he said, as he stood, dismissing me. “How the hell did you manage to turn Jake Hennessey, the town’s villain, into a hero?”
I’m looking forward to hearing about other authors’ favorite plot twists. You can too, by following the links below.
And, as always, until next time, stay safe!
May 31, 2021
Plot twists…do you have a favorite you can talk about (yours or someone else’s?)
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I too have trouble with characters taking over. Whether it’s claiming a leading role or surprising me (and everyone else) with what they say or do. Like you, I’ve tried everything, right down to giving them their own adventures to star in. Are they grateful? I think not!
I wrote a prequel of sorts to the mystery series from Jake’s POV. Thought that would satisfy him. But he’s rumbling around in the back of my mind, demanding more. Geesh!
I think that is a really interesting idea – a character being a plot twist for the author!
Jake kept me on my toes and made the storyline more interesting.
I love that you fought the character and your relationship with him grew bigger than you planned. I feel you on that, and it was really neat to hear the progression of it.