In a post on Writers Helping Writers, Suzy Vadori says that leaning into your theme can help you cut unnecessary content from your novel. “As you’re coming up with ideas and exploring how they fit into your book, it’s easy to lose sight of what you wanted to say to readers in the first place,” Vadori says. “Instead, while you’re scrambling to fill your pages, you might veer off course, creating a book full of cool things that isn’t what you meant to write at all and will leave readers confused.”
So, how can you tell if your scene or anecdote belongs in your novel? Vadori recommends focusing on the takeaway. “The Takeaway…is closely related to what some might call your theme, or the point of your story,” she explains. “Choosing a Takeaway can help you decide which scenes belong and which ones you should kick to the curb.”
Ask yourself what message you want your readers to take from your book. This can be a simple straightforward sentence or sentiment. No one else will see it, but the statement can help guide your writing. You might have an idea when you start or you might not determine your takeaway until you’ve finished your first draft. Your idea may even change as you write and dig deeper into your characters and story.
Once you have your takeaway, examine your scenes against it to determine if they fit. “Choosing a Takeaway doesn’t mean everything in your book will feel the same, or that every character in your book will view the world the same way,” Vadori notes. “In fact, your Takeaway will open up multiple directions for your scenes to go while delivering an experience to your reader that feels cohesive and incredibly satisfying.” A scene may support your premise, or it could contrast or challenge it. “With your Takeaway as a guide to what belongs in your book, your message will come through without you having to hit readers over the head with it, and it will linger long after they reach The End,” Vadori says.
