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Mike Johnston
Mike Johnston

849 Followers

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Aug 31, 2020

Topics Are Not Themes: Part II

Many writers start with nothing but a topic, and the theme emerges as they write — birthed from the story. Never start writing without a topic. Otherwise, there’s little chance of finding commonality between your scenes, characters, world design and everything else in the story. Other writers will start with…

Storytelling

2 min read

Topics Are Not Themes: Part II
Topics Are Not Themes: Part II
Storytelling

2 min read


Aug 24, 2020

Topics Are Not Themes: Part I

There are topics, and then there are themes. The following is a list of topics: · Compassion · Courage · Death and dying · Honesty · Loyalty · Love · Perseverance · Importance of family · Good vs. evil · Reason vs. faith · Man vs. nature · Humanity vs…

Storytelling

2 min read

Topics Are Not Themes Part I
Topics Are Not Themes Part I
Storytelling

2 min read


Aug 18, 2020

How Subplots Illuminate Theme

Some writers can pen eloquent scene descriptions. Some can build rich characters with crisp dialogue. Still others are masters of plot. You need all these and more to create a compelling story. But what holds it all together is the theme. …

Storytelling

2 min read

How Subplots Illuminate Theme
How Subplots Illuminate Theme
Storytelling

2 min read


Aug 10, 2020

Scenes With and Without a Theme

The following are two different ways to write the same scene. One deals with the theme “why people lie.” The other does not. They’re both…

Storytelling

2 min read

Scenes With and Without a Theme
Scenes With and Without a Theme
Storytelling

2 min read


Aug 3, 2020

How to Spot the Theme of Your Story

What did the protagonist learn at the end of the story? Example: humility What is the big decision the protagonist must make at the end of the story? Example: Riches or their humanity? What’s the high-level concept for your story? Example: A father’s love for his son drives him to…

Storytelling

1 min read

How to Spot the Theme of Your Story
How to Spot the Theme of Your Story
Storytelling

1 min read


Jul 27, 2020

The Most Common Question About Theme

When I raise the topic of theme, the most common question writers ask me is this: What’s the theme of my story? My most common response is… the theme is the DNA of your story. So what Controlling Idea or Central Argument did you write into every scene? If a…

Storytelling

2 min read

The Most Common Question About Theme
The Most Common Question About Theme
Storytelling

2 min read


Jul 20, 2020

What Does the Theme Do for Your Story?

The theme tells you how to design your characters. Your characters should live either within the code of the theme or outside it. They believe the theme or they don’t believe it. Therefore, you design your characters in relationship to the theme. …

Storytelling

2 min read

What Does the Theme Do for Your Story?
What Does the Theme Do for Your Story?
Storytelling

2 min read


Jul 13, 2020

How to Write Theme into Scenes

Here’s how to tell whether your theme is working. Your protagonist should have an internal and external need. Both needs are connected through the theme. …

Storytelling

3 min read

How to Write Theme into Scenes
How to Write Theme into Scenes
Storytelling

3 min read


Jul 6, 2020

How Do You Create a Strong Theme?

Your theme is the connective tissue between the internal and external needs of your protagonist. Allow me to translate. Your protagonist wants something. That’s the character’s external need. Indiana Jones wanted to find the Ark of the Covenant in Raiders of the Lost Ark. If your protagonist doesn’t want something…

Storytelling

2 min read

How Do You Create a Strong Theme?
How Do You Create a Strong Theme?
Storytelling

2 min read


Jun 30, 2020

What is Theme?

The theme is the central controlling idea of your story. It’s why you decided to write it. And that’s why it’s so personal to a writer. Suppose you wanted to write about peace, or love, or vengeance. All three are universal themes, but they’re also pretty superficial. You have to…

Storytelling

2 min read

What is Theme?
What is Theme?
Storytelling

2 min read

Mike Johnston

Mike Johnston

849 Followers

Advertising Creative | Production Executive | Story Monkey at Family, a Seattle Advertising Agency

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