Story vs Life
I harp on my clients—and myself—all the time about cause-and-effect in writing. To ensure a story makes sense, one scene has to lead to another. Because of this, THEN that…
Cause-and-effect controls the pacing of the story, and ensures nothing is too contrived, coincidental or convenient.
One reason I love cause-and-effect is how linear the concept it. One thing happens and then another. It’s the way my mind works. It’s the way my job used to work, too. Because I got a teaching degree, then I got a teaching job.
It so doesn’t work that way as a writer. Because I wrote a book, then… what? Land an agent? Get published?
I did write a book. And landed an agent. But the next linear step—publishing—never happened. So I tried again. No “effect”. So I veered off into hybrid publishing. But even the success of Evangeline’s Heaven isn’t guaranteed because of cause-and-effect.
What’s easy to forget is that in the real world, there may be effects, but the cause may not be clear. Our lives are a spider web of connections, where a straight line may simply not exist.
Which means it’s normal if you find yourself on a different writing trajectory that you thought. Or you shift directions. Or circle back around. Or find success in the most unlikeliest of places.
Cause-and-effect is essential for a great story, but not necessarily life. Instead, go along for the ride! THEN tell your story about it. 🙂