 Every story has a theme even if the author never sets it there on purpose. The theme is an underlying or overarching message that might not be discerned until the story ends. A theme connects to the story's topic. It's what you want readers to understand about life after they've finished your book.
Often, the theme is the same as what the hero or protagonist discovers. In the Pulitzer novel, THE GOLDFINCH, Theo learns that you cannot hold onto what you love or you might destroy it. In other words, love means letting go. Sometimes, it's too big, In TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, the theme centers around the fragility of innocence. Perhaps Harper Lee was saying that to be innocent meant risking your life. On occasion, the narrator tells us the theme (or hints strongly), so we can participate in its development during the story. In Edgar Alan Poe's THE TELL-TALE HEART, the main character serves as the narrator and lets the reader know immediately that he's going crazy. We learn with him that even the mad can feel guilt. Guilt has no boundaries. If you are in the middle of writing a story, or you are planning one, consider the message you want readers to take away. Here are some common themes: Beauty is only skin deep. Believe in yourself. Believing strongly in something is vital to its fruition. Change is inevitable. Good triumphs. Good and evil can coexist. Blood is thicker than water. Love always wins. Rules protect us. Face your fears, and you will be stronger. Truth can set us free. Other themes can be found in old proverbs, the Bible, Torah, Koran, Baghavad Gita, or other religious works, Shakespeare, poetry, your mother's words, a prisoner's regrets. In short, a theme is a message, and we all have at least one we live by. What is close to your heart? What messages will you leave with your readers? Share your thoughts here. Write on!
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 Writers and readers are natural word lovers. We eat them up like candy. We savor their sounds and syllabic formations. We devour their idiosyncratic meanings and marvel at their punctiliousness.
Face it, we are word nerds and proud of it. That said, not every writer arrives into this world with an endless vocabulary. Like anyone, we need to build it. As a kid, I would read the dictionary. (Don't laugh, some of you did, too.) I would write down unusual words and practice using them at home (where it was safer) then in school essays (where I could impress). Unfortunately, reading the dictionary isn't the best way to increase your vocabulary. Reading books is. If you want your suitcase of words to multiply, here are some tips. Read. The most obvious and easiest way to build your vocabulary is to read. I work with teens, and I can always spot a reader by the words the student uses in speaking and writing. It's not about reading anything. It's about reading authors who use words in interesting ways. Try THE SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS or any book by Ernest Hemingway. The funny thing about Hemingway is that he uses simple vocabulary to weave complex thoughts. That's the key. It's not the word you use but how you use it. Use new words in conversation. When you are learning a new language, you will only improve if you practice it. Practice using words in different contexts. Challenge yourself. Throughout your day, try using the word reduce in every form: reduce (v), reduction (n), reduced (adj). Use new words in writing. Poetry is a great way to explore words. Write down three words you love and three words whose definitions are unclear to you. Put these six words together in a poem. It's a challenge, but it will force you to understand the subtlety of these words. Words bring me joy. When I hear them used in a way I hadn't ever thought of, it tickles my fancy. How do you expand your vocabulary? Share with us in the comments below. Write on!  Think of your favorite childhood stories. How many include a pet or other animal who is integral to the plot? You might be surprised at the answer.
First of all, I use the term "pet" in broad terms. There are magical creatures, domestic pets, animals that are hunted, farmed, and tamed. There are animals that transform into people, animals that turn on people, and animals who will die for people. Although there are numerous stories that feature animals as central characters, I want to focus on those who work alongside a main character. In some cases, I will highlight a story with "talking" animals. You will have your favorites, and I'd love to hear about them. Please share in the comments section your beloved animal adventures. Here are a few great books to study: Magical Creatures: Think Hedgwig in the Harry Potter stories and all the other messenger animals. Of course, there is Hagrid's slobbering dog Fang and Norbert the Dragon. Visit this wiki page for some fun exploring all of the HP creatures. Domestic pets: I date myself with this story, but IT'S LIKE THIS CAT is a great example of how to use a simple house cat as a plot device. When teenager Dave brings home a cat to his dysfunctional family, life changes for the better. The hunted: Herman Melville created the most famous man v. beast battle ever in his classic, MOBY DICK. Humble fisherman Ishmael finds himself in the middle of a vengeful battle between the egotistical Captain Ahab and the great whale. Farm animals: Many of us will think of George Orwell's political satire, ANIMAL FARM. However, this story features animals as humans--an entirely different blog topic! A more useful study would be EB White's CHARLOTTE'S WEB. Each critter carries his own human foibles and conflicts. I think it's one of the best animal-human relationships in literature. Heroic animals: One of my favorites is Buck in Jack London's CALL OF THE WILD. This is a great story to study if you want to create a pet or farm animal who exemplifies the greatest good within human and animal nature. The Loyal: LASSIE is perhaps the most beloved classic pet who would warn his family and neighbors when danger was a foot. The Tragic: I still feel a pang when I hear someone mention WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS, OLD YELLER, or SOUNDER. These stories feature a dog who meets a tragic end. The stories serve to connect readers to deep emotions as characters make difficult decisions. Comic relief: There is Toto from THE WIZARD OF OZ who serves as Dorothy's companion and who warns her of danger. Animals can move your plot forward, relieve tension, highlight character traits, and help readers connect to your story. How do you use pets or other animals in your stories? Please share! Write on!  I dare not say these words out loud, but... shhh... come closer, and I'll whisper them to you.
I think my story is finished. Don't tell anyone. Not yet. First, I need to make sure I've satisfied the questions with which the story began. I have worked on my young adult contemporary manuscript for more than a year. I'm not talking the writing part. The writing began in 2013. I'm talking editing and revising. A year. To be precise, fifteen months. ON THE ROAD TO MARTY MCFLY has seen changes in characters, point of view, and plot. It is an entirely different story than the one I began three years ago. It is also an entirely better story. First, let me tell you why it's better then I'll show you how I know it's finished. One. I have addressed every concern an agent or editor brought to my attention during contests and querying. Two. I have examined and corrected every detail my amazing critique partners raised a red flag to. Three. I like it. It's a story. The characters are authentic. The MC is fallible. Now let me show you how I know it's finished using the following five questions. One. Is the main plot resolved? I don't want to promise a premise that doesn't pan out. Readers need resolution to the protagonist's problem. Resolution does not necessarily mean a happy or satisfying ending. It just needs to be plausible. Two. Did the protagonist solve it (YA needs this)? In YA, the protagonist needs to be the one to solve her problem. Adolescents seek empowerment; adults screw with their destinies enough in the real world. Three. Has the character grown or changed from the opening scene? Consider Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey narrative. When the reader meets the MC, there must be something the reader asks or observes, something he expects to change. Four. Have all the minor plots resolved? Your A story and B story and all minor journeys that arose along the way must each come to a close. Five. Have all the "teasers" been dealt with or resolved? In Act I, you've no doubt introduced red herrings or secondary characters with their own story. These all need closure. If Mom has been looking for a job throughout the story, and you keep referring to it, she either needs to land one or make a comment about going back to school. Something. Don't leave teasers teasing (unless you're writing a sequel... but that's another story...). If you think you're story is over, answer the five questions. What other questions do you think writers need to ask? Share with us here. Write on! |
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