on Career Authors:
Not to bait-and-switch you, but authors don’t really want to “trick” readers—a tricked reader may get annoyed and not buy an author’s next book. Instead, novelists want to manipulate readers for the optimal narrative experience. They slyly set things up. These manipulations are not cheats. It’s the art of misdirection, and they are literary Houdinis. When finishing their books, readers should sigh with satisfaction, perhaps uttering, “I didn’t see that coming!”
Warning: This post includes plot spoilers to numerous novels: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, The Third Man, The Death of Mrs. Westaway, Where the Crawdads Sing, Rebecca and The Silent Patient. If you haven’t read these books, go read them, then immediately return and read this post.
Here are a few crafty ways storytellers mess with readers’ minds:
Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog 
This was really good and fun. I do love being tricksy with my stories!
LikeLiked by 1 person
👍😂
LikeLike
A good article, I like the misdirection that great authors achieve. Once a writer for Sci-fi and fantasy comics the unexpected ending has always been a favourite of mine. LOl- I have often jumped through hoops to come up with them and have employed similar techniques in some of my novels emulating many of the novels you mention Dana. I just wished to add to this parade “The Crow Girl” by Erik Axel Sund as the ultimate novel in “misdirection”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on OPENED HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
LikeLiked by 1 person