In a recent post, C.S. Lakin offers advice on how to season your theme throughout your story. “Theme isn’t a word, like justice,” she says. “Theme is better understood as a question or a scenario. Theme is the character’s inner motivation made universal, and every story can have theme at its heart.”
When we focus on theme as a word or concept, our writing can feel plodding or lecturing. Instead, Lakin suggests framing your theme as a question you ask throughout your novel. “Instead of bluntly stating your theme at key moments in your story, allow your characters to grapple with it organically,” she writes. “By employing this technique, you can let your characters, their actions, and their dialogues become vessels through which your theme is explored.”
She suggests three techniques for making this happen:
- Explore Your Protagonist’s Motivation. “Your character’s inner journey requires that they confront the values and morals they uphold,” Lakin writes. “As they navigate challenges, make choices, and undergo transformation, the theme can subtly evolve and take shape.”
- Give Voice to Opposition. “Don’t shy away from presenting opposing viewpoints and beliefs within your story,” Lakin says. “To make your theme come to the forefront, introduce characters who hold conflicting beliefs or stand in opposition to your protagonist’s values.”
- Use Symbolism and Motifs. “Can you think of one or two visuals—something in nature, an important object, or maybe a locale or location that could embody a sentiment or belief your character has?” Lakin asks. “Incorporating symbolism and motifs into your narrative requires thoughtful planning and execution. These elements should be woven into the fabric of your story, appearing at key moments to underscore your themes.”
