Comments on: The Power of Theme https://writershelpingwriters.net/2012/08/the-power-of-theme/ Helping writers become bestselling authors Tue, 25 Feb 2025 22:43:46 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 By: Por que a sua história deve ter um tema – Por trás da inventividade https://writershelpingwriters.net/2012/08/the-power-of-theme/#comment-689890 Tue, 26 May 2020 13:34:44 +0000 https://writershelpingwriters.net/2012/08/the-power-of-theme/#comment-689890 […] Em resumo, o tema é o porquê por trás do enredo. […]

]]> By: Laura Stephenson https://writershelpingwriters.net/2012/08/the-power-of-theme/#comment-12548 Thu, 30 Aug 2012 04:21:22 +0000 https://writershelpingwriters.net/2012/08/the-power-of-theme/#comment-12548 CS Lewis said he always wrote a story and the moral flowed out without effort. Most people aren’t as intelligent or proficient at writing as he was, so this is really helpful advice on how to get both elements in when it doesn’t come naturally.

]]> By: Marcia https://writershelpingwriters.net/2012/08/the-power-of-theme/#comment-12547 Wed, 29 Aug 2012 19:13:36 +0000 https://writershelpingwriters.net/2012/08/the-power-of-theme/#comment-12547 “If you can’t sum it up in a proverb, you don’t have a theme.”

Exactly! A lot of people seem to think themes are one word: Love, Loss, Redemption, Forgiveness, and so forth. But those are subjects. Theme is what the book says ABOUT the subject.

]]> By: John Yeoman https://writershelpingwriters.net/2012/08/the-power-of-theme/#comment-12546 Wed, 29 Aug 2012 10:38:54 +0000 https://writershelpingwriters.net/2012/08/the-power-of-theme/#comment-12546 In reply to Margaret Alexander.

Thanks, Margaret. I consider myself hugged. I would gladly hug you back, except that my wife wouldn’t let me. Does that suggest a story theme? 🙂

]]> By: Traci Kenworth https://writershelpingwriters.net/2012/08/the-power-of-theme/#comment-12545 Wed, 29 Aug 2012 08:42:30 +0000 https://writershelpingwriters.net/2012/08/the-power-of-theme/#comment-12545 This is something I’ll have to think on as I’m drawing to a close on my current first draft. I haven’t given much thought to theme. I’ve thought of it as one of those mysterious things that “just happen.” Now that I know that’s not the case, I’ll have to be more diligent and figure things out regarding it. Thanks for the help!!

]]> By: Natalie Aguirre https://writershelpingwriters.net/2012/08/the-power-of-theme/#comment-12544 Tue, 28 Aug 2012 23:48:33 +0000 https://writershelpingwriters.net/2012/08/the-power-of-theme/#comment-12544 Great post. I loved the suggestions on how to weave in the theme and reading in the comments how everyone does it. I’ve only written one complete manuscript and I knew that theme from the start. We’ll see about future projects.

]]> By: Margaret Alexander https://writershelpingwriters.net/2012/08/the-power-of-theme/#comment-12543 Tue, 28 Aug 2012 23:12:26 +0000 https://writershelpingwriters.net/2012/08/the-power-of-theme/#comment-12543 Such an epic post, thank you for this! Definitely agreed with everything you said. In fact, I want to hug you, but the internet won’t let me.

]]> By: The Golden Eagle https://writershelpingwriters.net/2012/08/the-power-of-theme/#comment-12542 Tue, 28 Aug 2012 22:23:57 +0000 https://writershelpingwriters.net/2012/08/the-power-of-theme/#comment-12542 I’m not good with bringing out themes, so this was a very helpful post. Bookmarking for future reference!

]]> By: Jack Dowden https://writershelpingwriters.net/2012/08/the-power-of-theme/#comment-12541 Tue, 28 Aug 2012 21:45:42 +0000 https://writershelpingwriters.net/2012/08/the-power-of-theme/#comment-12541 I too find that my themes come out after I’ve written the story. Generally, I’ll get a cool idea in my head and I’ll spend a week writing it or so.
Afterwards, I’ll edit it and read it more closely. Then I’ll say, “Oh… it’s about faith versus reason.”
I don’t generally like to start with a theme in itself. Sometimes I feel like it can get in the way of the story. As in, you’re so adamant about fitting the theme into the story, that you sacrifice certain elements of what would have made it a good story to begin with.

]]> By: Anonymous https://writershelpingwriters.net/2012/08/the-power-of-theme/#comment-12540 Tue, 28 Aug 2012 21:36:43 +0000 https://writershelpingwriters.net/2012/08/the-power-of-theme/#comment-12540 I’ve read posts by Dr. Yeoman before and he’s always worth stoppiing for. We are hardwired for story, and I think we’re hardwired for theme as well. It’s as if privately we search for theme in our own lives therefore need to see it mirrored in our fiction.
Yvette Carol

]]> By: Matthew MacNish https://writershelpingwriters.net/2012/08/the-power-of-theme/#comment-12539 Tue, 28 Aug 2012 19:13:08 +0000 https://writershelpingwriters.net/2012/08/the-power-of-theme/#comment-12539 I think I have theme pretty well nailed in one MS. In another, not so much. LOL. I guess the point is whether the reader agrees.

Anyway, another awesome muser post, especially that Google example. Thanks, John!

]]> By: Susan Flett Swiderski https://writershelpingwriters.net/2012/08/the-power-of-theme/#comment-12538 Tue, 28 Aug 2012 18:55:14 +0000 https://writershelpingwriters.net/2012/08/the-power-of-theme/#comment-12538 What a wonderful post! Thank you. I couldn’t agree more with the idea of enhancing the theme that springs naturally from your work. Books containing not-so-hidden agendas that hit you over the head with the author’s ham-handed theme, are total turn-offs.

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