Last month I asked a few writer friends who have some excellent books out if they’d be interested in appearing on my blog. Eight responded and sent me their latest book, their tagline and a short piece of advice they wanted to pass on. So I’ll be featuring one of these amazing writers each week.
Buy it now on AMAZON or B&N |
To kick off the series is CHERYL RAINFIELD. Her newest book is STAINED, and does it sound like a must read. I really loved her cover and these words: “Sometimes YOU have to be your own hero.”
Tagline: Sarah is abducted and must find a way to rescue herself.
Her Advice: Write what you love and what you want to read. Write about things you care deeply about; your work will have more passion and readers will feel it. And read as much as you can, especially in the genre you write in.
Thanks, Cheryl.
About Coincidence.
- When it sets up a plot complication, but doesn’t resolve it.
- When the story is comedy and you’re not trying to set up reality.
- When you’re trying to make the point that life is more “mysterious and unpredictable” than people can imagine.
Zoe Byrd says
Thanks for this, It has really got me thinking about using coincidence in writing (if at all…never have) because I often feel as though real life is so riddled with it…
Marcia says
I think that's a wonderful point about using coincidence to set up a situation, but not resolve it. It's using coincidences in the resolution that come across as cheating, not the use of coincidences, period.
Joylene Nowell Butler says
Love Nancy Kress books. She knows her stuff. I'm off to visit Cheryl's page.
Cherie Reich says
Congrats to Cheryl! What great advice!
I must admit I've never been too comfortable with the term coincidences. I believe things happen for a reason, even if it is strange and mysterious.
DMS says
What an interesting post. I am okay with coincidences in books- as long as they seem to make sense. Sometimes they happen in real life- so they can be effective. Lots to think about. Thanks for sharing!
Best of luck to Cheryl!
~Jess
Loni Townsend says
I don't mind coincidences. I just don't like the ones that conveniently fix things.
Carrie Butler says
I love that cover! ๐
M Pax says
I was taught not to have coincidence. That if the space ship breaks down there must be a reason w/in the plot. Ficiton is more complicated than real life. Dang having to make sense. lol
Melissa says
Excellent post! The first one resonated with me the most. Gotta steer clear of deus ex machina. ๐
Lady Lilith says
Thanks for sharing the tips from other professionals.
Crystal Collier says
Awesome. I've read books like that–where you sit back, squint at the pages and shake your head. That's usually when I put one down. Still, I love it when that kind of stuff is effectively used in a plot, where coincidence turns out to be anything but.
Carrie-Anne says
I love a good coincidence, like running into an old friend at just the right moment, or being saved from a terrible fate by someone's distraction, but they should always serve a purpose and feel natural. It's annoying when a book is littered with meaningless coincidences. Doctor Zhivago has lots of these, with characters running into people who were last seen hundreds of pages ago, for no apparent reason.
Tyrean Martinson says
Great advice. I struggle with how to use coincidences in fiction. I don't want things to seem suddenly too easy or too hard. I like the idea of using a coincidence to set up a story problem and then taking it a different direction from that point forward to create tension.
And I think I love Cheryl's tagline for her novel too. ๐
Thanks for hosting, C. Lee!
Medeia Sharif says
I enjoy a good, natural coincidence. I use coincidence in writing myself.
Great advice from Cheryl. When I write something I'm passionate about, the story flows out of me.
Empty Nest Insider says
Good points about the proper use of coincidence in a story. It has to have the right blend of subtlety and surprise, so as not to come off as contrived. Cheryl's cover, and tagline are a winning combination!
Julie
Margo Berendsen says
I really like that sophisticated use of coincidence in the short story. Interesting coincidence, ha ha, but a book I just read was a also about coincidence – "She is Not Invisible" by Marcus Sedgewick. It was fantastic how coincidence was worked into the plot line!
Carol Kilgore says
Great article. These look fun to try!
Stephanie Faris says
I think coincidence is great when used properly. It has to be a believable coincidence, though.
C. Lee McKenzie says
You're right. So I'm practicing. Wish me luck.
Lexa Cain says
I love Chery's cover and think her advice was just perfect! I don't have coincidences in my books – or I think I don't anyway. But what if I do — what if there are things in there that are accidentally, coincidentally a coincidence? That can't be held against me, right?
C. Lee McKenzie says
I hold nothing against anyone. That's just in case I do the same thing in the future. Very possible!
Shooting Stars Mag says
Love that final quote; it's so true!!
And Cheryl has some great advice – thanks for sharing.
-lauren
C. Lee McKenzie says
Glad Cheryl's advice rang true for you. And thanks for the visit and the comment.
Michelle Wallace says
Such a lovely cover!
All the talk about coincidence, made me think of serendipity. Though the two are slightly different.
Serendipity is more "fate" driven, I would say…
C. Lee McKenzie says
I like her cover as well. It's different and makes me want to see inside.
Here's to fate.
Hilary Melton-Butcher says
Hi Lee … sometimes coincidence just ruins everything .. but thankfully it's only a story .. coincidence in real life is a little trickier …
But I like the look of Cheryl's Stained … and you have to write about what you love to write about .. otherwise it all falls flat on its face ..
Cheers and I'm going to love this series … Hilary
Cheryl says
Hilary, I'm glad you like the look of STAINED, and what I said about writing. Thank you. ๐ I love Lee's new series on writing advice, too. ๐ I look forward to hearing what other writers have to say.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I'm pleased you two are on board. Thanks.
Mere Joyce says
Very interesting points! Coincidence is a tough one, and I've seen stories where it's done quite well, and…not so well. These examples are great, and make a lot of sense.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Nancy's examples helped me when I was setting up some very coincidental moments.
debi o'neille says
I love Cheryl's advice and I'm passing the link to this post on to a few writer friends. Great advice. C. Lee, you always offer something great on your blog. Thanks.
Deb@ http://debioneille.blogspot.com
Cheryl says
I'm glad you're passing on the link. ๐ Lee has a great blog!
Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com says
Very thought provoking. Thank you, Lee and Cheryl.
Cheryl says
Glad you liked it. ๐
Beverly Stowe McClure says
Honestly, I've never thought about coincidence. If I've used it, it was a coincidence. ๐ I know, that's awful. Seriously, this is a great article and something to consider. Congratulations to Cheryl on your book. An interesting idea.
Cheryl says
Thank you, Beverly. ๐ I drew on my own trauma and abuse experience to write STAINED. And Lee gave us a lot to think about, wise writer that she is.
Patricia Lynne says
Great advice from Cheryl.
I think I've used coincidence in my writing a few times, but can't currently recall if I meant to or if it was a coincidence! teehee.
Christine Rains says
Fantastic post. I've never thought too much on coincidence in my own writing, but I've used it.
DEZMOND says
me likes coincidence in omnibus movies in which you have many different stories connected by some strange coincidence
C. Lee McKenzie says
Ah, yes. When all the pieces somehow knit together in the end.
Teresa Powell Coltrin says
Hi, Cheryl, great advice. I have a plot point in one of my short stories (that I'm working on for an anthology) that uses coincidence and life and death.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Wow. Then this was a good post. Hope Nancy's ideas were helpful.
Sherry Ellis says
Coincidence is a tricky thing in writing. I can't be unbelievable.
C. Lee McKenzie says
It's interesting how we'll tolerate some coincidences, but not others. That's why I thought Nancy Cress's article was so interesting. I think she has some of the issues nailed down.
Susan Gourley/Kelley says
I like the short little pieces of advice. I always worry about using coincidence.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I like them, too, Susan. I think we're all on the same page, but it's nice to read what other authors have to say.
Theresa Milstein says
What an excellent post. I never really thought about how to use coincidences in my own writing. It made me think of a book I'm reading right now called Zebra Forest, which has a huge coincidence in it. Sometimes they can teeter on plot holes, can't they?
C. Lee McKenzie says
I'd like to see that. I'm always interested in how authors handle this. Thanks, Theresa.
Catherine Stine says
Good advice and a coincidence well-planted that isn't pivotal to the plot is fine.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I've had coincidence in life situations that I know I can't possibly use in a book. Nobody would buy it!
Karen Lange says
This is a great idea for a series. I can always use good advice. ๐ Ah, the mind, it truly can be a battlefield, can't it? One of my more recent goals is to be more mindful of what I'm thinking. Then I can redirect things along a better path. Wishing Cheryl all the best!
C. Lee McKenzie says
I love that idea of being more mindful. Our thoughts are who we are and how we view the world. They are uber important.
Cheryl says
Thanks, Karen. ๐ And I agree–it's so easy to battle things out in our minds (and hearts) when we deserve compassion….
Julie Flanders says
Love Cheryl's cover and her book sounds fantastic. Great idea to share these each week! Also, your parting thought hit home with me unfortunately!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Cheryl's a super writer and great person. I was pleased to have her here today.
I've been struck by that thought at the end, too. ๐
Cheryl says
Aw, thank you Julie; I'm glad you like the look and sound of STAINED. (smiling) And Lee, Thank you so much for your kind words. ๐
Natalie Aguirre says
Congrats to Cheryl and so agree with her advice. And thanks for the tips on how to use coincidences effectively.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Hope it was helpful. I liked finding it while I was working on Alligators.
Yvonne Ventresca says
Thanks for a thoughtful and inspiring post, Lee!
Yvonne
C. Lee McKenzie says
Saw your book in the bookstore! That's always so exciting to see a crit partners work on the shelves.
klahanie says
Hey Celebrity author and quite the pro amongst pros, Lee,
You can stop twiddling your thumbs. For yes I have arrived. Yay and gosh!
Excellent notation from Cheryl. Oh yeah write what you love or love what you write. Or heck, just make love not war,
It was no coincidence I visited your must-read site. Because, it's a must-read site.
I, on the very rare occasion, accidentally have the shadow of my ex wife darken my doorway. You can tell she's crazy about me. Or just crazy. Perhaps, in the coincidence of her accidentally darkening my doorway, she will finally give me closure over what happened all those years ago. Then again, more like closure of y door she accidentally darkened, perhaps. Yes, I'm rambling and that's no a coincidence.
As usual, your posts make me think and the help of those who get to guest on here.
Your starstuckest fan,
Gary
C. Lee McKenzie says
Ex wives are never coincidences. They're like the tide, they just keep turning up because of their nature. ๐ Continue rambling. It's joy to read.
klahanie says
More like a flood, methinks. I've been known to ramble inanely and start talking about all sorts of weird stuff. I might even leave an incoherent, disjointed comment that has absolutely nothing to do with the post. This could set a trend. Nah, loads already leaving comments on blogs that have absolutely nothing to do with the post.
Great post! Thanks for sharing! Following!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Well, let's just say that you're refreshing. I like that word and it beats the #!@%% out of "Great Post" etc.
Misha Gericke says
Interesting idea. In a sense, a lot of stories have some grounding in coincidence. EG a boy-meets-girl story. They just "happen" to meet, unless they're set up by friends.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I keep wondering how much of life is coincidence. ๐
Sarah Foster says
Great advice! I THINK I only have one coincidence in my book, but it moves the story forward in a big way and the narrator recognizes it as some sort of act of fate. So I hope it works and doesn't make the readers roll their eyes…
C. Lee McKenzie says
Sounds like you've handled it well.
Angela Brown says
I agree with Cheryl. Writing what you love really allows you to let go and let the story flow from your fingers to the once-blank-screen.
And the use of coincidence as a plot device is a smart and interesting technique.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Good morning, Angela. Hate that blank screen.
Cheryl says
It does for me too, Angela. (smiling at you) And I think readers can feel the difference.
Lee has great advice on coincidences. ๐
Julie Musil says
I LOVE Cheryl's cover! Great advice from her, too.
My critique partner called me out on coincidences. I used them too much! I have to be careful not to use them to solve problems.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Congrats on having good crit partners. Those coincidences can be hard to spot when you're writing the story–personal experience.
Cheryl says
Thanks, Julie! (smiling at you) Good critique partners help SO much!
And thank you Lee for having me on your blog today.
L. Diane Wolfe says
Like a series of misfortunate events, those coincidences could be funny.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Right. The absurd always has a place and it makes us laugh.
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
Smart advice, Cheryl. I wrote what I wanted to read and with the values I wanted to see in a story.
Coincidences at the end of the story just make it feel contrived and forced.
C. Lee McKenzie says
And so disappointing, right? Especially when the book has been good up to that point.
Cheryl says
I'm glad to hear it, Alex. (smiling at you)
Lee had great advice on coincidences in writing. ๐