Things I've Learned From Copyediting, No. 1

In fiction, if you want to apply any unlikely detail to anything, something that is kooky and makes no sense in context but, damn it, you love it and want to throw it the heck in there, use the word somehow. This word is invaluable in allowing you to drop in a detail or situation without the responsibility of having to explain it. For example, "The eight-year-old somehow cooked the coq au vin for the entire congregation." Now, I made that up, but you get the idea. . . .