“[F]iction must make more sense than real life if general readers are to find it credible.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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You can make almost anything happen in your story if every cause has an effect and vice versa. This implies a rational universe, which is comforting to the reader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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“Stimulus and response are cause and effect made more specific and immediate.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Stimulus and response are both external – we could see them if the story was taking place on a stage. They always occur in pairs, and usually without delay, and with a clear logical connection (which may involve internal processes, in which case, show them to the reader). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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They occur in the order stimulus-(internalisation)-response, unless you deliberately re-order them to create an effect of momentary confusion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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– Jack M. Bickham<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#sceneandstructure<\/p>\n\n ","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
“[F]iction must make more sense than real life if general readers are to find it credible.”
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