A good twist is not about giving shock but is about emotion and should feel inevitable in hindsight, agreed British novelist Clare Whitfield and Emirati writer Talal Mahmoud as they discussed “The Unpredictable Factor: Twists, Reveals and Surprises!” at the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF). Moderated by radio presenter Louis Denham, the compelling session on building powerful plot twists, crafting surprises that feel real, and exploring why unpredictability is one of the key elements that keeps readers truly hooked, was a useful study for aspiring writers and lay readers.

“Plot twists aren’t just surprises but meals for the mind and soul and give an emotional payoff; it is most powerful when it is emotionally resonant and not just intellectually clever”, noted Clare Whitfield, author of Poor Girls and People of Abandoned Character. “Good twists rely on planting clues subtly so that readers can sense the change and decide when to hasten the reading pace or slow down for impact”, she added.

As a writer she did not seek perfection in the first draft and invested in editing and rewriting. “I’m my own worst critic,” she remarked. To her, a book once published did not belong to the author and readers’ interpretations gave it a new life.

Emirati scriptwriter and filmmaker Talal Mahmoud called plot twists a natural extension of curiosity, an instinct that both writer and reader share. “Emotions connect us across cultures and readers can understand how a story made them feel emotionally more than its rationality”, he pointed out, also noting that the initial thrill he felt when he saw his on shelves has shifted to writing well, playing with emotions and sounds to keep the reader engaged.

Both writers agreed that flawed, complex and emotionally layered people make stories compelling and writing often involved putting oneself in others shoes to understand different experiences. They felt that writing should be joy-driven and not competitive to keep the reader interested in the plot.

Sharjah International Book Fair 2025 is a 12-day event, organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) under the theme ‘Between You and a Book’. Visitors will get the opportunity to experience more than 300 cultural events led by 158 Arab and international guests, 750+ workshops in Arabic and English covering writing, editing, publishing, and creativity and 85 stage performances from 12 countries.