May
What’s the big idea?
When I’m writing, editing, and critiquing, I often find myself asking myself or another writer, “what’s this story about?” When I ask this, I’m not wondering what the plot is. What I’m really asking is “What is the theme of this story?”
But some people hear “theme” and they are instantly beamed back to high-school English class. An uncomfortable sensation arises not unlike the one you get when you miss the last step of a stairway.
But theme is important. All the pretty phrases, witty dialogue, and brilliant imagination count for little if your stories don’t have a theme. Themes are universal ideas that resonate with our subconscious.
Now, I admit, I have never sat down to write with a theme in mind . . . yep, today, I’m going to write about Redemption! No . . . Love Conquers All! No, no, no. Today, I feel more like The Early Bird Gets the Worm! Wait, is that a theme or a cliche? 
I often don’t know what the theme is until I’ve finished writing a story. But once I figure it out, I make sure that the unifying ideas really do hold true for the entire book.
Earlier this week, my daughter, who is in 2nd grade, had homework on Plot and Theme. The way her book explained theme was as “The Big Idea” of the story. I like that. Nothing better than going back to elementary school to get definitions clarified.
So, the next time I’m trying to figure out what a story is really about, I’m going to ask, “What’s the big idea?”
So, along with Amy’s question to you all . . What are you working on? I challenge you to talk about the themes you are working on in your writing . . .
What’s your big idea?
Oh, my big idea? Believe in the unbelievable, believe in yourself.
Do you sometimes get an idea for a story and it just consumes you? When you sit down at the keyboard did the text flow so quickly that you can not type fast enough to get it all down on the page? Ever ask yourself where do the stories come from — who are these characters? Do I know them? Why do I know how they are dressed, their weight and height? Is that their voices I hear? Am I writing this story or are they telling me the story? Why do they use words I can not spell? Questions, questions, questions — is it all a dream or am I awake?
Right now I have two competing stories; both set in the future, both utilizing technology that has yet to be invented. I am seriously thinking about applying for a patent on one of the ideas. Our minds are a marvelous thing.
May 21st, 2008 at 7:52 pmI love this “what’s the big idea?” question for theme. I agree, it’s great how an elementary school book can make it plain and simple.
So what’s the big idea for my novel? Hmmm. . . I’ll have to think on this.
May 22nd, 2008 at 6:42 pmAs a novice in the game, I find my problem is not coming up with a theme or plot for a story. It’s expanding the scenes in a manner that others see what I see in my mind’s eye.
In the critiques, one learns quickly the wonderful abilities some in the group have, in what appears to the novice, magical powers to expand a scene in just two or three sentences. I think it is the difference between an artist and a mechanic in writing stories.
It is a delight to listen to those reading who possess those artistic abilities.
It is also very informative when one does a reading to see how others perceive what one is attempting to convey in a short story or tale. I have written lines which cause me to ROFL when they appear on my computer screen. However, I now know often the reason I can enjoy the laugh is because I know all of the other things in my minds eye which I was not able to project into the lines. Until they appear in the lines others have no way of knowing them.
It would be interesting in learning how ‘you’ covert your ideas to scenes. Any recommendations anyone many have on books, articles, web postings, etc. on how one can at least improve their mechanic skill in doing so.
Thanks, Stan
August 6th, 2008 at 8:11 pmThere’s really nothing for it but to write write write and read read read. Then, write some more. Then, read . . .
August 7th, 2008 at 3:06 am