: Re: How do you determine if a plot device is too coincidental? I see lazy plot devices as anything that is too coincidental. Person One just so happened to be in the 'area' when Person Two was

@Frith254

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We have to distinguish two different layers of coincidences:

Coincidence in the beginning of the story vs. coincidence at the end of the story (Deus ex machina problem)
Conflict decreasing coincidence vs. conflict increasing coincidence

The reader forgives (and sometimes want) coincidences that happen at the beginning of the story and conflict increasing coincidences.

If the fortune helps the protagonist or is used at the middle or end to get further in the story, then it is perceived as cheating.

So the car accident between protagonist and antagonist at the beginning is ok. If they meet again when applying for the same job, the setting is already introduced ("Oh, that guy!").

The cavalry at the end rescuing the protagonist, because he is inapt doing it himself is a no-no. ("Why have I read all these pages if he can't rescue himself? What a loser!")

If the protagonist has a street fight against the evil doers and he is running out of ammo, then that's increasing the conflict. If he runs out of ammo in front of a gun shop, it is decreasing the conflict (i.e. unfair help for the protagonist). If the gun shop is locked it is increasing again (reader will like it again).

So coincidences at the beginning of the story and coincidences which are punishing the protagonist (increasing conflict) are good/acceptable, helping coincidences and stuff that happens later out of nowhere to keep the story running are no-gos.

Caveat: None of the above is true if you write a parody.

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