Plot Twists that Zing! - by Natascha Biebow

So you’ve written a picture book and it’s got a beginning, middle and an end, but it doesn’t yet zing . . .  You’re still left asking, "So what?"
What can you do?

Lately, I’ve been noticing that the picture books that tickle my fancy are those that have something extra – a twist.



Remember I blogged about creating a breakout premise? Well, if you can surprise the reader and add some humour or unpredictability to your premise, you are definitely on your way towards creating a premise that is extraordinary.

Children love extraordinary flights of the imagination. They relish the unpredictable!
Here are some ways to add a twist to your book:


1. Give your premise a twist:


If you can turn the predictable on its head, you are headed for a premise that equals a distinctive USP (unique selling point). Editors, sales people, booksellers, librarians, children and all kinds of readers just love that!


Aliens that love underpants . . .
Aliens Love Underpants by Freedman & Cort

Pirates that are . . .
Captain Flinn and the Pirate Dinosaurs by Andreae & Ayto





                                                                                         . . . dinosaurs!


from Captain Flinn and the Pirate Dinosaurs by Andreae & Ayto
2. Give your characters a twist:

The Gruffalo really does exist . . .   from The Gruffalo by Donaldson & Sheffler
. . .  plus the tiny mouse is cleverer and braver even than this fierce-looking beastie!
The Gruffalo by Donaldson & Sheffler


This is Goldilocks’ story . . .
Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs by Mo Willems
. . . but no bears live here!

from Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs by Mo Willems

This crocodile . . .
I Really Want to Eat a Child by Donnio and De Monfreid
. . . needs to eat bananas to get big and strong after all – not a child!
from I Really Want to Eat a Child by Donnio and De Monfreid
3. Give your plot a twist:


Two families plan to swap houses for their holiday . . .


Pirate House Swap by Longstaff & ChambersBut one is not quite what they expected . . .
Pirate House Swap by Longstaff & Chambers
Grandma mustn’t find out about the lion . . .
How to Hide a Lion from Grandma by Helen Stephens


 . . . but she has a secret too – she's hiding a bear in her bedroom!


from How to Hide a Lion from Grandma by Helen Stephens4. Give your ending a twist:


Daisy doesn’t like peas!
Eat Your Peas by Gray & Sharratt

But she will only eat her peas if her mum eats her Brussels. 
And Mum doesn't like Brussels . . .   from Eat Your Peas by Gray & SharrattBut they both like pudding!
from Eat Your Peas by Gray & Sharratt The mammoth actually belongs to the boy . . .
A Mammoth in the Fridge by Escoffier & Maudet

. . . and he's not the only animal in the boy's bedroom!
from A Mammoth in the Fridge by Escoffier & Maudet A gorilla has come to visit . . .
Ding Dong Gorilla! by Robinson & Lord
. . . but not only did he make the mess – he left with the last of the pizza!
from Ding Dong Gorilla! by Robinson & LordBilly warned Dad that there were all kinds of sea creatures in his birthday bucket . . .
Billy's Bucket by Gray & Parsons. . . but Dad borrowed it to clean the car anyway . . . from Billy's Bucket by Gray & Parsons
What others can you think of?


Give it a twist and it will zing!
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Natascha Biebow Author, Editor and Mentor

Blue Elephant Storyshaping is an editing, coaching and mentoring service aimed at empowering writers and illustrators to fine-tune their work pre-submission. Check out my NEW small group coaching courses!
Natascha is also the author of Elephants Never Forget and Is This My Nose?, editor of numerous award-winning children’s books, and Regional Advisor (Chair) of SCBWI British Isles.  www.blueelephantstoryshaping.com