by Zoe M. McCarthy | May 17, 2018 | Writing
I’ve blogged on coincidences, and Steven James’s article, “What a Coincidence” (Writer’s Digest November/December 2017) hits on similar ideas. But James discusses a fresh angle. James says that at the beginning of a story, we can capitalize on using a coincidence,...
by Zoe M. McCarthy | Mar 24, 2016 | Writing
“Scenes are capsules in which compelling characters undertake significant actions in a vivid and memorable way that allows the events to feel as though they are happening in real time.”—Jordan E. Rosenfeld (Make a Scene) Scene ChecklistPurpose [ ] Has 3 reasons the...
by Zoe M. McCarthy | Apr 9, 2015 | Writing
“Coincidence cannot replace motivation.” — Debra Dixon I’ve been reading Debra Dixon’s GMC: Goal, Motivation, and Conflict. Her discussion about coincidences spoke to me. I wanted a scene between my hero and his widowed sister-in-law, the heroine, concerning an ugly...