Unlike life, you've got more or less complete control over what's going on in your stories. That's not to say you can make characters do whatever you want them to - they usually have a life of their own if you've done your job properly.
“If we don't act, drilling will be allowed only 3 miles off Florida's east coast beaches.”
“When you arrive at a certain level it's very easy to say yes: that is the moment to learn to say no.”