In a new post, C.S. Lakin offers advice for finding the theme in your novel. “Theme speaks to your plot, but more so to the heart of your story,” she says. “One way to get to your theme is to ask yourself just why you are writing this book, anyway.” If you get stuck or find yourself losing interest, it might be because you haven’t considered or developed your theme.
To start, Lakin suggests saying what your novel is about in one sentence. “Can you think of something to say that will make the listener nod and say, ‘Wow, that’s interesting (or needed or pertinent or important or . . .)’?” she asks. If not, put on your thinking cap. Brainstorm some ideas or freewrite in your character’s voice.
“Theme is your character’s inner motivation made universal,” Lakin writes. “When you key in on what your character really wants, what’s driving her, you will discover the theme for your story.” Theme isn’t a single word, but a question or scenario. For example, you might want to write about the idea of “family” but your theme might be “family is found in unlikely places.”
Your theme should be present early in your novel. “If you can determine clearly why you writing this story and what is the one thought, message, idea, conclusion, or feeling you want your readers to take home with them when they finish reading your book, you should be able to give some indication of this through your protagonist—by action, thought, or dialogue—in those first paragraphs,” Lakin says. “Bringing a hint of your theme out right away also clues the reader into what the book is really about, and reveals a bit of the heart of your story.”
