Do you have any advice on how to bring out a theme in your book? Do you think every book needs a theme?
I think that every book has a theme/s whether you intend them or not; it's pretty inescapable. I'm biased and LOVE themes, but I don't think all fiction needs them, sometimes you just want some fluff or spice, or whatever, but personally, I will always want a theme.
I learned a great tip on writing themes in a narrative in my theatre class at university actually! I don't know if the method is attributed to anyone, but it was what we were taught when writing scripts.
A. What is your book really about?
[Sum it up in one word. e.g jealousy, revenge, forgiveness, etc.]
B. What are you saying about A? [This is called the Belief or Myth]
[What is the key takeaway you are imparting? e.g jealousy is pointless, revenge is good actually, forgiveness is overrated, etc.]
C. Write a question in which B is the answer. (This is the debate the audience is left with after the book and they can decide for themselves]
[e.g Does jealousy have its uses? Is revenge ever acceptable? Should you forgive everyone?]
D. Why do you believe B (the Belief/Myth)? [This shows how you relate to the theme and why you've incorporated it]
[e.g I was jealous once and lost all my friends, I got revenge once and it turned out great, I didn't feel good after forgiving my boyfriend, etc., etc.]
Obviously, you'll go more into depth with these but this is how I really began to examine my own stories and what they really mean as a thematic piece and to me personally.
Hope this helps~


















