A plot, I used to remind my students, is not merely a sequence of events: "A" followed by "B" followed by "C" followed by "D." Rather, it's a series of events linked by cause and effect: "A" causes "B," which causes "C," and so on. True, a person's {or a fictional character's} destiny may be more than the sum of his choices--fate and luck play a role as well--but only scientists {and not all of them} believe that free will is a sham. People in life--and therefore in fiction--must choose, and their choices must have meaningful consequences. Otherwise, there's no story.
In the text, the author emphasizes that a plot should not be viewed simply as a linear progression of events but rather as a chain of causation where each event influences the next. The connection between events through cause and effect is crucial for storytelling, as it gives depth and purpose to a narrative. It highlights that choice plays a significant role in shaping both characters' destinies and the overall story, despite other factors like fate and luck also being influential.
Furthermore, the author points out that real life—and by extension, fiction—requires individuals to make choices that carry significant consequences. If characters in a story do not face meaningful decisions or if their actions do not impact the plot, then the narrative loses its value. This interconnectedness of choice and consequence is what ultimately makes a story engaging and relatable, ensuring that readers are invested in the outcomes of characters' lives.
