Causation vs. Coincidence: The Engine that Drives Story
As a book coach and editor, I find myself asking the same question a lot: “Why?”
This question applies to both the character’s actions and the events of a story and comes up because I often see a lack of causation in writers’ early drafts.
This lack of causation looks something like, “This happened, and then this happened, and then this happened…”
This “and then” storytelling structure weakens narrative momentum because there is a lack of connective tissue between choices and events.
A classic example of this is:
The queen died. Then the king died.
This construction tells us only that the king and queen have both died, but we don’t know why. And because of that we don’t know why we should care.
But if you revise it to add causation, a “because of that” statement, we get a story with meaning and depth.
The queen died, and (because of that) the king died of grief soon after.
Causation is key to building inevitability. A cause-and-effect chain leads from actions and choices to consequences.
When you turn choices and events into consequences by using a “because of that…” structure, it creates an event → reaction → consequence sequence where each scene creates pressure that forces the next one. And the next one. And the next one…
Stringing these together, adding tension and conflict, increasing the barriers and raising the stakes as a result of choices and actions, builds the character arc and the plot.
Focusing on character decisions, rather than external events, drives meaningful causation, and connecting those choices and actions to the character’s misbeliefs, desires, and emotional stakes, herds the character organically in the direction they need to go to resolve the main conflict of the story. They reach their own personal and meaningful resolution.
Causation Self-Editing Checklist
Below is a list of questions to ask when revising your story to ensure you have a strong cause-and-effect chain that carries your character forward through the entire narrative.
Use the following checklist to test your story scenes and strengthen cause-and-effect in your story, scene by scene.
- Scene Spark
What situation, event or choice makes this scene happen?
Could it occur without that spark? If yes → revise.
- Character Agency
Who actively drives the scene?
Are they making decisions or just reacting?
- Motivation Check
Does the choice match the character’s goals, desires, fears, or misbeliefs?
Is it believable and consistent?
- Consequence Chain
What consequence results from this choice/event?
Does it logically lead to the next scene? Because of this…
- Escalation
Does the consequence raise the stakes or tension?
Could it be amplified to create more momentum?
- Internal Impact – the emotional point of the scene
How does this affect the character emotionally or mentally?
Are beliefs challenged or do their feelings shift?
- External Impact – the plot point of the scene
How does the world, goal, or problem change because of this scene?
- Avoid Coincidental Rescues
Is the character “saved by luck”?
If yes → revise so outcomes are earned.
- Layered Consequences
Do results ripple through subplot or secondary characters?
Can this scene plant seeds for later payoffs?
- Scene Necessity
Would removing this scene break the cause-and-effect chain?
If not → consider cutting or merging.
- Causation Flow
Can you summarize each key scene in one sentence:
“Because [X] happened, [Y] had to happen”?
If not → revise.
- Emotional Payoff
Does this scene set up an emotional or thematic payoff later?
If not → add a meaningful consequence or internal impact. (See #6 & #7)
TIP: Keep this checklist visible while revising. A story where each scene answers these questions will feel inevitable, engaging, and emotionally satisfying.
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