The Art of the Twist in Blogging

I love tricking readers. Not in a cruel way—just enough to separate the surface skimmers from the deep divers. My blog posts do it all the time. The title says one thing, the first two paragraphs reinforce it, and then—bam!—the twist.

The slow revelation is that everything the reader thinks they agree with is actually about to unravel. It’s a test, a game, and a way to expose how many people only read far enough to confirm their biases.

Take, for example, a small, personal piece I wrote about my new electric bicycle—green, renewable energy. The title and opening paragraph alluded to sustainability, innovation, and our responsibility to the planet. Predictably, the first wave of ‘likes’ rolled in from readers who saw everything they wanted in the title or the first 150 words. They nodded, satisfied that I was one of the enlightened. But those who stuck around for the next paragraph discovered a different angle—the inefficiencies, the hidden environmental costs, the greenwashing. By the time the final paragraph landed, I wasn’t praising renewable energy. And the people who appreciated that version of the post clicked ‘like’ for entirely different reasons.

It’s the same with dark fiction and sex—two of my favourite topics. I once wrote a post titled “Everyone Remembers Their Third Time,” waxing poetic about passion, connection, and the magical, unforgettable moments after the first time. The hopeless romantics adored the title. Until, of course, I veered—this time, I didn’t even wait for the obligatory third paragraph. The magic soured instantly. The reality cracked open. By the end, the ‘first time’ wasn’t romantic or perfect—it was awkward and messy. That’s when a different set of readers engaged. The ones who had been there, who saw the truth behind the words, who appreciated the honesty buried beneath the bait.

This isn’t just about trickery. It’s about seeing who’s really paying attention. Who reads beyond a title? Who keeps going when their assumptions are challenged? Who engages deeply instead of just reacting to the first thing they see? That’s the game. That’s the fun. And that’s why I write the way I do.

My novel SEETHINGS has these flips. The narrative takes a dramatic turn just as the reader makes assumptions. It asks them to look inward for answers to clues for the next part of the story. It’s downloadable and free for a limited time.

So the next time you see one of my posts, be warned: the first two paragraphs might not be the whole truth. Keep reading. The real story starts in paragraph three.

-Michael

ABOUT