Cheating Quote by Pixar's 22 Rules of Storytelling
““Coincidences to get characters into trouble are great; coincidences to get them out of it are cheating.””
About This Quote
Coincidences that create conflict drive drama; those that resolve it can feel like cheating.
In simple terms: Conflict‑driven coincidences feel natural; easy ones feel forced.
Key Takeaway
Use conflict‑creating coincidences wisely.
Themes
storytelling
conflict
plot
luck
writing
technique
Mood
intrigued
critical
Type
narrative
advice
When to use this quote
- film scripts
- novels
- game design
Key Concepts
narrative structure
character development
creative writing
Questions to Reflect On
- When does a coincidence feel earned?
- How can you make a resolution feel earned?
A Different Perspective
Overreliance on coincidences can weaken plot credibility.
