photo by petr sidorov on Unsplash
Coincidence: “a remarkable concurrence of events or circumstances without apparent causal connection,” is the definition that pops up onscreen, and similar words are listed as: accident, chance, serendipity, fate, destiny, providence, a piece of good fortune…
When we talk about plot, we talk cause-effect; beginning, middle, end; motivation/goals, and so on… with all the corners tucked in just so, all neatly accounted for.
But life is not like that. Life is more about packing the entire car to go on a hike, assembling the packs, the maps, the coffees; then realizing there’s one forgotten piece, and in a hurry, the character/s have just locked and slammed the car door on a purse… which has BOTH of the two cars keys inside. Or at least, the character is quite certain they are...
There’s the believable plot. That’s how we’re told to write: ‘Ramp up tension and conflict,’ and all that.
Let’s return to the story: One character ends up arguing with the other about whose fault it all is. Then reaches into a pocket… Voila! there’s one of the keys! How did that happen? Magic? Forgetfulness? Coincidence…? Now the plot all falls out of place; it’s grossly simplified. They can get in the car and go on that hike.
Of course though, in that row over whose fault it was, some ugly said-that-cannot-be-unsaid came out.
It all seems neatly plotted in the end, even with the coincidence of finding the key. But I would not have come up with this, without thinking about, “What is THE coincidental piece?”
Life—real lived life—is full of coincidences, unbelievable moments and turns.
Truth really is stranger than fiction
Remember the exercise in the “Flashback” post?…
Well, try recording “coincidences” for a couple days. Think of multiple sources. Like most things, once you are focused on it, the words and ideas will start to come. Stories people tell you. Pieces in the news or media. Thoughts and memories that come to you… Ask friends and family for their stories of “coincidences.”
Note them in the fiction you are reading. (You’ll probably find more if reading short stories.)
Author convenience
What is the difference between a bit in a story that is “author convenience” or “coincidence?” First off, these can be one experience for the reader and another for the writer.
The “author convenient” in a story will feel like a “cheat” or a piece of lazy on the writer’s part. As writer, you’ll know the lazy thing in your gut! It might be an avoidance of writing a tough ending. (Understandable! But push on. Ask yourself: what is the ending that’s coming from somewhere deeper, somewhere maybe I—or my character—is afraid to go?) Or the “convenient” piece might be you choosing to write the first option that popped into your mind. (You might write the first option… but then question it.)
As a reader, the “author convenient” piece may not be apparent at the time of reading, but later. It may just become an unsatisfying read, even if they cannot articulate a “why” to it. They might think it predictable. Or unbelievable. (And this is where it seems to rub shoulders with “coincidence.”)
Ultimately, the true “coincidence” will become believable, and be woven into the plot, even though at the time it happens—when the reader encounters it—it might be shocking, or even a “yeah, right!” moment of disbelief. The true coincidence will make connections within the story and with the reader, and even with the writer.
Oddly, the writer might be the last one on board! We can be so trained to think that plotting is special and different and disconnected with real life. But in “real life” there are moments and objects and surprises of all sorts that throw other parts of life into light, that challenge our notions, that set in motion. We should not be afraid of these in our fictions.
I think of this both consciously and subconsciously as working (and remind myself.) What am I letting in and not letting in? What am I missing? (Always, by its very nature, tough to know what we are missing!)
My way around these questions, and around, “How far can I go before it’s not believable?” has come to this point: per story, I allow myself ONE.
Coincidence
It doesn’t matter if it’s a short story or a lengthy novel—there should not be more than one coincidence.
If you record real instances of coincidence, you’ll note that the stories you collect have only one. Each is something that the story revolves around, or it turns the story in another direction. It is pivotal.
In fiction, if you add a second or more, it will poke holes into the belief you have built, and readers will walk away. It will become about the writer’s convenience. But as a singular part of a story, “coincidence” will bring a pinch of life’s chaotic quality, and a flavour of reality to the whole.
Look at stories you’ve been struggling with—where is this element? Or is it? Can you open a door to it?
When you read, look for it. How has the writer used it?
Then back to your own work… Write. Read. Apply.
In the comments, let’s talk about if you’ve been aware of this in your work. How you’ve used it. Or not. What it’s looked like… ??
Guest posts
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Very helpful piece, Alison. Thank you!
Interesting to think about this. I think of that movie "Serendipity' with John Cusack. There were many events that you could think would lead to the ultimate coincidence, (the characters coming back together) but you were strung along until the end. Watching the movie, you knew somehow that they would get together, but it's how things unfold that I guess is interesting and the wondering at what point it will happen. (Well I like John Cusack, so I liked this movie!) So maybe it is the same with writing...if it unfolds in an interesting way, that makes some of the predictability seem kind of 'wonder'ful.