Aug 31, 2020Topics Are Not Themes: Part IIMany 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…Storytelling2 min read
Aug 24, 2020Topics Are Not Themes: Part IThere 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…Storytelling2 min read
Aug 18, 2020How Subplots Illuminate ThemeSome 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. …Storytelling2 min read
Aug 10, 2020Scenes With and Without a ThemeThe 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…Storytelling2 min read
Aug 3, 2020How to Spot the Theme of Your StoryWhat 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…Storytelling1 min read
Jul 27, 2020The Most Common Question About ThemeWhen 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…Storytelling2 min read
Jul 20, 2020What 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. …Storytelling2 min read
Jul 13, 2020How to Write Theme into ScenesHere’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. …Storytelling3 min read
Jul 6, 2020How 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…Storytelling2 min read
Jun 30, 2020What 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…Storytelling2 min read
