I've been thinking a lot about themes lately. I don't set out with a theme in mind. I'm deathly afraid of coming off as preachy, which I would hate as much as the person reading my preachy nonsense. But I've found that as I revise, themes invariably appear. Somewhere in the depths of my brain, things are churning along without my knowledge. I'm OK with that. I kind of like the idea of a theme winding through the work on its own. Like a part of me is finding its way into my work. But my subconscious can only do so much. Then it's time to build on that hint of a theme, to use symbols (if appropriate) and really make the story mean something. I'm still experimenting with themes, but so far I'm liking it.
So I'm wondering. Do you plan out your themes in advance? Or do they find their way into your work when you're not looking?
2 hours ago
11 thoughts:
Stephen King, in On Writing, says that theme is one of the things he never plans for, but that ends up coming out in the MS anyway. He usually revises with theme in mind after the first draft.
If it happens to the best of 'em, it's gotta be a good thing for us peons, right?
I never plan for theme in advance, but while I'm writing the rough draft they always come out. The first novel I finished was completely built around religion and spirituality, so the theme in that was much more apparent than most. Coming off as too preachy is a fear of mine, also - I plan to tone it down a bit in future revisions, but it's unavoidable that I'm going to rub at least one person out there the wrong way.
Can't please everyone, so you might as well make it a goal to please yourself first.
If I do plan a theme, it's usually extremely broad and accessible. I do think theme is probably one of the things our subconscious works in for us, though, based on things of mine I've read from the past.
Yeah. What Simon Says. :)
I think that theme is an organic element that we pick up from story and weave into story. When it's used in that fashion, I think it affects a reader more.
I've read that you discover your theme once you're finished your first draft. Then, in the second draft you try to develop it and make it more clear.
Most writers don't need to plan a theme because part of our souls magically work themselves into our stories, resulting in the themes of our own lives.
I discover my theme as I'm writing. I have an idea and I write, once I am in the middle of revising my first draft I start to notice and embrace the theme I've created.
I never have, but I'm trying to do it while outlining this time. We shall see!
I usually have an *idea* for the theme, but usually I'm surprised by what that idea turns into. I also often discover themes I never set out to include - it's always fun when that happens. :)
They work their way into my book. Currently, it's independence -- but from friends, not from parents.
I would have to say in regard to themes, I'm probably a little bit of both. I outline before I write, so I sorta-kinda see a theme arise from the get-go, but as I write I notice my theme begins to morph before my eyes. Can I vote for both?
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