An Inspired Twist Guest Post from Jae El Foster
If you have read my work in the past, you know that a plot twist is an element that I enjoy to incorporate more than anything else. My stories go where the muses guide them, and my fingers do the typing. When it is a combination of muse and man – of heart and soul – a twist somewhere, somehow is imminent.
‘To Adventure’ – my contribution to the DCL Publications’ anthology Enchanted Fairy Tales – is no exception. Especially as it falls under the fairy tale genre, a twist is more than expected; it is a must. Every great fairy tale has that moment – that twist – that turns the world on its heels for both the characters and the readers. However, when it comes to ‘To Adventure,’ trying to decide which twist is the most pivotal is a challenge.
From the moment that my protagonist is on his horse seeking adventure at the start of the story, the plot twists begin, and as there is both cause and intention for this ripple of change, the twists blend naturally. Let’s look at a classic fairy tale called Alice and Wonderland. There is an escalation of change and unexpectedness through the story, so much so that the reader is lead through a whirlwind of twists and turns. In this manner, ‘To Adventure’ is similar. Granted, you won’t find a hookah smoking caterpillar in it, but you will find plenty of edge of your seat splendor while enjoying the ride.
As the biggest twist in ‘To Adventure’ comes during the epilogue, I shall stroll over to the middle of the story instead. Several turns lead to the important moment that encompasses the inclusion of true love’s kiss. It is a moment where light turns dark, where white magic fades and a switch is flipped, leading the fair prince to his true destiny. It is, in fact, true loves kiss that ultimately prevents an immediate arrival of a happily ever after.
A second plot twist in this tale comes with the waking of the cursed and slumbering princess. There is a moment here where the curse comes into question, as does the state of the princess. This moment is resolved later in the story by an unlikely source in an unimaginable manner that moves ‘To Adventure’ full force into its next and most pertinent stage.
A reader recently read my novel Beauty Within – a new release from September – and commented that she thought she had reached the classic Jae El Twist, but when she reached the end of part 1 and opened to part 2, she was unprepared for what was ahead of her. That’s what a good twist does to a reader; it perks them up in their seats and refocuses their attention and interest in the story. In a fairy tale, you want a twist that is new and fully unexpected, as the fairy tale genre has been around for a long time and a fresh twist and direction is often hard to come by. It takes thought, planning, and a lot of drafting – not to mention revisions through editing – to give my readers something new and unexpected with each story I release, and I understand the importance and necessity of putting in that work. It incorporates a lot of long hours, but when I hear pleasing remarks from my readers, it makes it worth it.
Lately, I’ve been introducing new pieces of flash fiction and short stories to my readers via my website –
www.jaeelbooks.com/free-fiction. Even in flash fiction, I have learned the importance of a plot twist. Although the reader is enjoying an incredibly short piece of writing, it is the writer’s duty to keep them on their toes and deliver to them something other than what they expect to happen.
If I made this all seem too easy, please let me add this additional piece of information. Ninety percent of the time (in my non-researched bin of statistics here), an author does not see the twist coming until it’s there. Or, perhaps we know one is coming, but we don’t know what it is going to be. There’s also the possibility that we know what the twist will be and where we should go, but the story won’t let us work it in and the story then goes in a whole different direction. Sometimes, we will write a half-dozen chapters on a book and a twist then decides to present itself to us. We seize the opportunity, and we delete many of those chapters just to utilize the twist.
Even then, we’re still unsure of ourselves. Is it too much? Does it make sense? Is it plausible, and even if it is, does it add to the story or does it take away from it? What if my original idea was better?
Twists are never especially easy, but we create them for our readers’ enjoyment, as we are thankful for our readers and want to continue to entertain them through many books to come.
My thanks to Wendi Zwaduk for hosting me on this wonderful stop through my Virtual Book Tour, in promotion of Enchanted Fairy Tales. Thanks also to DCL Publications and Goddess Fish Promotions for arranging this very fun engagement. And to you, those readers who have kindly stopped by to endure and (hopefully) enjoy my rambling, I thank you for your time and I encourage you to leave any comments or questions below and I will check in periodically to respond to all.
Now for a little bit about the book:
ENCHANTED FAIRY TALES
by Miriam Newman, Lynn Hubbard, and Jae El Foster
The Gingerbread Man- A Scrumptious Erotic Fairytale
by Lynn Hubbard
Once upon a time there was a girl named Penelope. Food was scarce those days, and she had to walk miles looking for roots or berries to eat. After a long, hot morning Penelope was tired and hungry. A delicious scent led her to a cabin deep in the woods. She followed it in anticipation of having all her needs filled.
The Legend of M’Rith by Miriam Newman
By 1844, an increase in the human population of Ireland has forced Fae inhabitants from their lush green homes in the East to the spare, bare terrain of the West--except for one. M’Rith, half fairie and half elf, has been bidden by her Queen Mother to remain in the forest, promising her a mortal man to love. Kieran, the village blacksmith, has lost his wife and lives in the same painful solitude as M’Rith, but he is a worker of iron that can mortally wound a fairie lover.
To Adventure by Jae El Foster
There is a black plague crossing from kingdom to kingdom, placed upon a slumbering princess by her wicked stepmother, and only with true love’s kiss can the spell be lifted. Will the plague encompass all before that kiss can be sealed, or will the power of true love make itself known to the handsome Prince Harold, providing him with the adventure of a lifetime?
Now for an Excerpt:
from To Adventure
by Jae El Foster
“I thank you for your time, but I must depart now. I have my horse with me, and it is going to storm soon.”
“That thunder does not mean rain,” she said in a cryptic tone.
“Well, I cannot chance that. Thank you again.”
Prince Harold turned from her and walked to the curtain. This time, Madame Howell did not stop him. He pulled the curtain open and stepped outside, looking up to the sky. Surely enough, the sky was clear, the moon was full, and thousands of stars glistened down upon him.
He saw the young man with the scruffy beard standing alone by the fire. Letting his encounter with Madame Howell remain behind him, locked inside that tent, he approached him.
“Hello again,” he said, stepping up to the young man. “I never did get your name.”
“That is because I never told it to you,” the young man answered.
“Well… may I know your name?”
The young man looked at him and smiled. His smile was less than comforting though. It made Prince Harold uneasy once more.
“I have been called many names,” he told him in a voice that was uncanny and dark. “My favorite has been Mephistopheles.”
Refusing to lose his smile, Prince Harold backed away slowly, placing his hands up before him. “I have heard that name,” he said in a nervous tone. “I think perhaps you shared in too much of the wine tonight, but regardless of that fact, I must be going. My horse awaits me.”
About the Authors:
Miriam Newman:
Fantasy poetry driven by myths and legends has been my passion for as long as I can remember. I was published in poetry before catching the romance writing bug. I bring that background to my writing along with a lifelong addiction to horses, an 18 year career in various areas of psychiatric social services and many trips to Ireland, where I nurture my muse. My published works range from contemporary fantasy romance to fantasy historical, futuristic, science fiction and historical romance. Currently I live in rural Pennsylvania with a “motley crew” of rescue animals. You can see my books at www.miriamnewman.com.
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMiriamNewman
http://twitter.com/miriamnewman
Lynn Hubbard:
Lynn Hubbard is a Historical Fiction author. She has been writing for over ten years and has eight books. Most of which are westerns. Lynn is fascinated by the Old West and her books portray when life was simpler. When, people worked hard, and sweated to make an honest living. And when justice wasn't always blind.
http://www.lynnhubbard.com/
https://www.facebook.com/lynnhubbardbooks
http://www.twitter.com/lynnhubbardbook
Jae El Foster:
Jae El Foster is an author with whom you question going to bed with at night, but you dare to venture beneath the sheets with him anyway. As the venture concludes, you are perhaps romanced by it, or perhaps you are frightened by it. Don’t worry, because you are always satisfied by it. Despite the title or genre of the book, Jae El sets out to please you with climatic and unexpected conclusions that will make you tremble with emotion. Hop aboard the Jae El train and give it a good ride.
www,jaeelbooks.com
www.twitter.com/jaeelbooks
www.facebook.com/authorjaeelfoster
https://www.instagram.com/jaeelfoster/
https://plus.google.com/communities/105715668467648152419
https://www.amazon.com/Jae-El-Foster/e/B07GZXRVGJ
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