30 July 2014

Writing Coincidences

Let me start off by saying that I don't really believe in coincidences. Small, everyday ones, sure. But the bigger ones? I look at those as more of an intervention of fate. It can happen with a lot of different things--your eye just happens to fall upon an advertisement for something you need, or you just happen to run in to someone you know. I once went shopping at a Kohl's with my fiance (just boyfriend at the time) and we ran into my cousin's husband, then literally five seconds later my sister comes around the corner with her husband and daughter. We all just kind of stared at each other, wondering if we'd opened up some sort of wormhole.

Weird things can definitely happen in real life. So how do you work these kinds of moments into your writing? It's a rather tricky concept, because it's easy to feel forced. There's a good chance the reader won't believe this sort of coincidence will happen in real life. And if they don't believe what's happening, then you've lost them.

First of all, you really need to assess whether or not a coincidence is even necessary in your story. If you can think of a better way to make something happen, then you should probably do it that way. A coincidence should really only be used if it is absolutely necessary, if there is no other way to bring your character to a certain place or realization, or even bringing two characters together. My second tip would be to have your character(s) acknowledge it. Have them think, "hey, this is weird," or even wonder if fate is somehow involved. It may seem cheesy, but if it's just a passing thought and you don't hammer it over your reader's head, then by all means, play the fate card. Or heck, call it what it is--a coincidence!

I think my biggest bit of advice would be to not overdo it. Unless your entire book is about coincidences or the power of fate, you should probably only have one or two coincidences in there (if you need them at all). If you make something unbelievable happen over and over again, the reader is going to get annoyed. They're going to find themselves saying, "This would never happen!" And again, unless that's the point you're trying to make, this is not good.

Example time! I think (or hope, anyway) that I only have one coincidence in my WIP. Basically I had to get one character to another character's apartment for a pretty important scene, but with one major problem: he didn't know the address. In the short story version, the other character gives him his address, but as I reworked things, I realized this would never ever happen. So I had to think it over. I didn't really think this scene could happen anywhere else, and having the element of surprise when he just shows up at the apartment seemed to help. But where does he get that address?! I realized there was another character who had it--the MC's mother. Of course, he couldn't just ask for it. I thought about him rummaging through drawers and address books trying to find it, but that seemed silly.

Anyway, I'm rambling as usual, so I'll cut to the chase. Here's how I did it. Throughout this scene, my MC, Jordan, has been talking with his mother and the whole time she's been putting stamps on a stack of envelopes. He gets annoyed with her and announces that he's leaving. Then this happens:

            She threw the stack of envelopes at me. “Drop off the mail, then.”
           I would have glared at her but she wasn’t even looking, so I reached for the envelopes with one foot pointed toward the door. And then I had one of those perfect moments. If I hadn’t looked down for just a second, it might not have happened. But clearly it was supposed to happen, since the universe so conveniently placed the answer right in the palm of my hand. I mean, I’m used to getting my way, but this was more than that. This was a sign. Because guess whose name was on the top of that pile? And not just a name, but an address. 

Now, I certainly don't claim to be perfect with my writing, but I think I worked this coincidence in the right way. He acknowledges how this moment is weird and convenient, a sign, even. But he doesn't over think it. Once this paragraph is done, he doesn't mention the coincidence again. He just acts. He goes to that address, and the story moves forward. 

That's what a coincidence should do, really. It moves the story forward when it reaches a road block. You don't want to spend pages and pages over-analyzing the significance of this coincidence. Just let it happen, acknowledge it briefly, and move on. Let the coincidence do what it needs to do and then forget about it. Sure, sometimes coincidences are unbelievable, but you still need your reader to believe it. 

How do you guys deal with coincidences? Do you try to avoid them? Any examples in your books or ones you've read you'd like to share? 

11 comments:

  1. Great advice, and great example! I think you wrote out that coincidence just right in the snippet (which by the way, was intriguing and now of course I want to know WHO this person he's going to see is!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I'm always really vague and awkward when it comes to describing my book, but I guess if that leads to intrigue, it's a good thing? Maybe?

      Delete
  2. Great snippet. You handled it well. I try to avoid them, but if I must have them, I try to have the characters acknowledge them. But you've gotten me thinking about different ways to work it in now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I think they should only show up if it's absolutely necessary.

      Delete
  3. What a great solution to the problem! And completely believable!
    Heather

    ReplyDelete
  4. All of my coincidences are intentional. ;)

    It's true though, too much of that can lend to the reader not believing the story world, even when they are engineered to be intentional. Great thoughts on how to deal with it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Coincidences can work, as long as they're believable and not overdone. If it works within the story, then go for it, I think.

      Delete
  5. I think I know, I think I know! Does it start w/a T? ;) (I think that's what the m**h t***r's name began w/anyway) And speaking of coincidences, I just finished writing one in my ms last night. =)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lol, it does! I wasn't trying to be secretive or anything, I'm just always super vague whenever I have to go into detail about my book for some reason.

      Delete
  6. You worked it into the story well. Coincidences have to be handled just right or it feels contrived.

    ReplyDelete