In Plot Twist, author Harlan Coben offers his perspective on the writing process through a memoir with insights, observations, and practical advice. The book is not only about how Coben writes, but also about the creative process and the life experiences that have shaped his outlook and style. It is as much a nostalgic memoir as it is a book about writing.
Coben explores writing and storytelling by telling his own story, creating a work that functions as both memoir and writing guide. He explains that the book is intended to motivate and encourage those aspiring to write.
Coben has written 38 thrillers, many of them bestsellers, with more than 100 million copies in print worldwide. His books have been adapted into more than 20 television and film productions. Coben’s novels are psychological thrillers that typically feature ordinary people confronted by secrets from their past.
My introduction to Coben came through his conversation with Guy Kawasaki on the Remarkable People podcast. Until recently, I had neither read any of his novels nor watched any of their adaptations.
Throughout the book, Coben offers memories from his childhood and his early years as a writer. He reveals the inspirations behind some of his most memorable characters and the creative twists that have become notable in his fiction. Along the way, he blends memoir with reflections on creativity and the writing process.
Coben contrasts his writing to others in that he does not organize his approach around traditional categories such as character, plot, and setting. Instead, he describes a more holistic process. Plot Twist explores not only the mechanics of writing but also what it means to be a writer. For Coben, the craft involves self-doubt, confidence, persistence, and dedication. His philosophy is, “If it helps me produce pages, good. If it doesn’t, bad.” One of his primary goals is to encourage aspiring writers to keep producing pages.
Among Coben’s best-known works is the Myron Bolitar series, featuring a former basketball player turned sports agent who finds himself investigating crimes involving friends and clients. The character reflects aspects of Coben’s own background, including his time at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he attended on a basketball scholarship.
There are a number of notable books on writing by successful authors. Among them are Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life and Stephen King’s On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft.
Coben, Harlan. Plot Twist: Life, Craft, and the Messy First Draft. Hachette. 2026.
