For some tales, I already have all I need. For others, I do a heap of research. Sometimes what I'm hunting out seems trivial, may only feature as a throw-away line or aside, but I need it to anchor my confidence.
Joined: 31 Oct 2007 Posts: 203 Location: Vancouver, Canada
Theme
Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2008 2:04 am
I find theme very elusive but necessary.
I never start a story with a theme in mind. If I do, it comes out too didactic.
I have started a story, thinking it would go in a certain direction, then discovered it went somewhere else completely. When authors say that a character 'took over the story', I think that's what they mean. If I create a character, then try to put my ideas into his or her mouth, it doesn't work, because they're not me.
Sometimes I start a story because I have a great idea for an action or character, and I write a whole bunch of words, and discover that it isn't going anywhere. When I dig in to figure out why, I realize that there is no thematic unity. Then I have to go through the material to try to figure out the idea that made it appeal to me when I started. Once I find that, I can continue the story.
My conclusion is that, however you arrive at it, your story must have a theme.
As Thumper says, in "Bambi", 'If you don't got nuthin' to say, then don't say nuthin'.'
Joined: 07 Sep 2007 Posts: 523 Location: Upstate New York
Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2008 1:59 pm
Many of my poems start out as a theme. I then write the verse around that theme. I might say to myself "okay, I want to write about a seductive space vampire that turns into a nasty, black, tentacled thing". I then set about taking that concept and setting it to verse.
Some of the stories I currently have in the planning stages, or under construction, started out the same way. I come up with the theme, and then write the story around that theme. _________________ "I'm going to do what the warriors of old did. I'm going to recite poetry!"
Joined: 31 Oct 2007 Posts: 203 Location: Vancouver, Canada
Theme
Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2008 7:16 pm
Richard H. Fay wrote:
I might say to myself "okay, I want to write about a seductive space vampire that turns into a nasty, black, tentacled thing". I then set about taking that concept and setting it to verse.
That's exactly the kind of thing I was talking about. I start a story about something that interests me, like your mutating space vampire. The point is, a mutating space vampire is not a theme. It is subject matter, or a character.
If I try to continue exploring the possibilities of the mutating space vampire, and there is no basic idea which I wish to discuss with my readers, then, as far as creating anything but trash, I'm hooped. At that point, I slow down and try to figure out what it is about mutating space vampires that intrigues me. Once have even a vague idea what it is, then I go back to having fun.
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