surprise me

We, the Electric Spec Editors, are hard at work, going through slush for the fabulous February 28, 2018 issue. We only have about another week to finish up. I've read some decent stories recently that I did not advance because ...I saw the ending coming from a mile away. Please don't telegraph your story ending in the first paragraph. Consider surprising your reader.

How do you do this?

• For one thing, successful authors are readers. You should read in your genre to know what's been done before.
• Try a reversal in your story. This is when it seems as if the story is going in a particular direction, but, bam! it changes course.
• A reversal can be associated with a dark moment when all seems lost. Dark moments are very effective because they tug at readers' emotions. And, then, when it turns out all isn't lost, the reader rejoices. Hurray! More emotions.
• Original unique characters will often surprise readers, because unique characters should drive a unique story.
• Original unique settings can likewise surprise readers because we haven't seen them before.
• Nonlinear chronologies can be surprising. At best, all the threads l come together in the end, prompting the reader to think: Wow! So, that's what was going on. :)
• Your idea here.

Good luck with your surprising story!