You know those stories where the pacing just works?
You’re not sure why, but you never get bored. The stakes shift. The emotions twist. The ground feels like it’s always moving, just enough to keep you leaning forward in your seat.
Here’s one reason that happens:
The writer is using reversals.
What’s a Reversal?
A reversal happens when you, the reader, are expecting something major to happen, and the writer turns it on its head. It can be a plot twist or a subtle emotional twist.
For example:
A win turns into a loss
A betrayal becomes a lifeline
A quiet moment explodes into chaos
A character you trusted shows another side
The goal you thought mattered turns out not to matter
Reversals don’t have to be giant plot twists (though they can be). Sometimes, they’re emotional. Sometimes, they’re even internal.
But they always change the trajectory of the scene, if not the story.
Why It Works
✅ It keeps momentum going, even in quiet scenes
✅ It prevents the story from feeling predictable
✅ It deepens emotional resonance
✅ It makes each choice feel alive
✅ It surprises the reader and squeezes joy out of them
A Quick Example
Let’s say your protagonist, John, is keeping something from his wife for the last couple of chapters. The reader knows that as soon as she finds out about it, there’s going to be an explosion.
And, of course, she does find out. She doesn’t confront John right away (that way, you play up the tension of the upcoming confrontation), but she’s working up a head of steam, and finally, the two meet.
The reader is expecting a major confrontational scene with a loud, heated debate. The wife doesn’t disappoint: she launches into blaming John for doing things behind her back.
But then you twist the scene on its head:
John says, loudly and forcefully, that she’s right. He shouldn’t have done that.
And his wife, having charged through an open door, is left speechless and disarmed.
The entire scene changes in front of the reader’s eyes. You’ve set up expectations, and then you’ve subverted them with a reversal. A scene that should have been forceful can now be subtle, calm, even amusing. A special moment between the two characters.
And the story moves forward with a fresh charge.
Many Scenes Could Use a Reversal
Tension is a subtle play of cat and mouse between you and your reader.
Ask yourself:
What does the reader expect will happen here?
What’s the opposite of that?
What could change—emotionally, relationally, or strategically—to bring about the opposite effect?
Even a small reversal can catch your reader off guard and cause wonder.
A Prompt to Try
Pick a scene in your WIP where the energy feels flat.
Now ask yourself:
What’s the emotional “status quo” at the start?
And how can you reverse it by the end, without adding explosions or car chases?
Look for:
Shifts in power
Changes in emotional temperature
Unexpected responses
Reveals that reframe the situation
That’s where the heartbeat is.
If this post helped you spot a moment in your story that could use a twist, hit the ❤️ and share it with another writer who wants to keep readers hooked.
Because the most memorable scenes don’t escalate in a straight line. They pivot.
See you next week,
Tal Kilim