Development Tip — Subverting Expectations
One of the keys to writing great thrillers, horror, drama, and even comedy is learning how to subvert expectations. Audiences come into every story with assumptions. They think they know what’s going to happen next. When a writer skillfully flips that expectation — without breaking the logic of the story — the result is powerful.
That’s when audiences lean forward. That’s when actors get excited about roles. That’s when producers see something that feels fresh and marketable. Subversion is NOT shocking the audience for no reason. It is setting up an expectation and then delivering a surprising but inevitable outcome.
Try this today: Look at one key scene in your script and ask, “What does the audience expect to happen here?”Now ask, “What’s a more interesting outcome that still fits the character and story?”
If you can master this skill, your writing immediately moves to a higher level.
We go deeper into techniques like this inside the Mastering Development course, which you can find in the Writer’s Room. Stronger development leads to stronger, more marketable scripts. — Mel
2
0 comments
Development Tip — Subverting Expectations
powered by
skool.com/storytellers-8402
The StoryTellers Hub is where screenwriters & filmmakers connect, learn, and craft powerful stories.
Suggested communities
Powered by