Never has there been a more serendipitous downpour.

Last night, as I wrote the finale to “Nickleback Ned,” which is set in a downpour, the rain came a-crashing down. I went outside in my bare feet on my veranda and stood in the icy shower, remembering what it was like to be in one unprotected, imagining what my main character would be feeling and thinking as she had to dispatch some horror in the messy weather. The best part was the sting of mascara and eyeliner as it melted into my eyes.

I then came back inside to a couple of astonished cats.

It helped enormously.