Question about Theme

Question received from Ann Day:
I want to make my theme stronger in a novel. Any hints about that?  
     Yes, Ann. Many people aren't aware how important theme is...or how many methods there are to show what the theme of a story or novel are. Theme is an element of fiction that includes mood,  tone, and voice. Below are some of the ways to work your central theme into your novel.

Theme: Point of the story prompted by the author’s viewpoint, values, and beliefs.  Theme reflects an opinion, not a fact.  The world is just or unjust, people are basically good or basically bad, selfish or unselfish, life is random or not. Theme equals the morals at the end of fables.

*Theme can be expressed through action & events.  EX: natural disaster, which can present a theme of human frailty or nature’s indifference to humans. EX: a journey, which equals learning experiences (Huck Finn on the river & journeying to less racist ideas, Moby Dick, etc.)

*Theme can be expressed through symbolism—a literal object that agrees with the theme: concrete to abstract.  EX: a decaying house representing decaying morals.  A clock ticking in a story about how quickly or slowly time passes. 

*Theme can be expressed through imagery: descriptive & figurative language, & word choices.  EX: adjectives, word pictures, verb choices.  The hero described as positive and attractive, the villain as the opposite. Verbs that connote negative or positive meaning—“she slashed at the fragile plants” or “she pruned away the dead branches.”

*Theme can be expressed through character.  To find the theme, ask these questions about the main character: Has s/he learned anything?  What?  How has this knowledge changed him/her?

Mood – the atmosphere of the story’s “little world” that combines the effect of the setting, characters, theme, plot, & dialogue.

Tone – The attitude expressed by the piece that shows how the author feels using setting, characters, theme, plot, & dialogue.  Sometimes tone shows how a main character feels, especially if s/he is narrating in 1^st person like an author. 

*Setting choices that influence tone and mood include kind of architecture (castle, cottage, office bldg.), weather, props (flowers or plants, furnishings, animals, geologic features, foods, smells, sounds, tastes, textures).  Contrasting settings works to emphasize mood too.

*Character sets—by evoking reader feelings: dislike, admiration, fear, anger, sympathy. 

*Language use adds to tone and mood through sentence length: short equals movement and excitement while long and flowing equals peaceful or hindered feeling.  Uncommon sentence structure can be used for effect—fragments, lists, run-ons.  Vocabulary can create an informal or formal feel.  Long, expressive words are about feelings and emotions while short, simple words are about action.  Similes and metaphors evoke feelings. EX: fragrant as a rose OR carcass of an old car.  Even punctuation, dashes, exclamation points, quotes, can show tone/mood.  EX: to show scorn sometimes–He felt “poorly.” 

Voice – a term used in literary criticism to identify the sense a written work conveys to a reader of its writer’s attitude, personality, and character.  As in the case with the closely related term TONE, VOICE reflects the habit of thinking of writing as a mode of speech.  Inexperienced writers are often instructed to “get more of your own voice into your writing.”  The concept of voice is sometimes compared to Aristotle’s concept of ethos, the personal image projected by an orator.  The main difference I see between voice and tone is that tone refers to a specific piece and can change between pieces.  EX:  Dickens “tone” in The Christmas Carol is angry, while in The Old Curiosity Shop it is sad.  His voice is strongly humanitarian and does not change between pieces and books, though he chooses to bring it out differently and in varying levels, depending on the focus of the book. The Christmas Carol is inspirational and fun while The Old Curiosity Shop is early dystopian or naturalist genre (where everything ends badly, especially for the main character).

Any more specific questions, Ann?  

Let me know and thanks for bringing your question to me at the writers blog!

Ariele

Rocky fighting Elizabeth, then Vivian and back again and again

Creativity Exercise and Spring class list

Creativity Exercise
Ariele M. Huff

      So many people want to know how to sell their writing, or how to polish it, or copyedit it. Those questions are easily answered. Standard guidelines and rules apply to most of that.

      However, the practices that would help most people are those that put them more in touch with that wild and unpredictable, that elusive and tricky creative muse within them.

       Rules are easy—though seem not to be fun for most of us. They can be learned and then recalled when needed, though they may differ a bit, depending on the authority being quoted.

       On the other hand, the creative spark is, by definition, unique for each person. Fortunately, the experience and things that trigger it can be quite similar. With that in mind, here’s one of many creativity stimulating exercises.

        Wear loose-fitting clothing; find a comfortable and private place to sit. Have ready for use paper and a smoothly flowing pen. (Pilot Precise is my favorite.)

         Pleasant soft music with no words is okay, but quiet is better. No food or drink or electronics for right now.

         Close your eyes and imagine you are standing on a lovely beach. The air is warm. Walk slowly and appreciatively into the almost clear water, and feeling a gentle sun on your back.

         Go out till you are at mid-calf depth. You notice that you’ve stirred up the golden sand just enough to make your feet invisible in the cloudy ripples.

         Leaning over, you place your flat palms at the water’s surface, feeling the light lapping. Gradually, you lower your hands until they reach the bottom. It’s so mysterious and delightful. Taking your time, you delicately touch everything near you. Feel the curves and edges, the softness and hardness, the smoothness and unevenness. While you do this, attempt not to name any of the things you are touching—not “shell,” “pebble,” or “seaweed”—just each sensation for its own sake.

          Now, stop moving your hands and notice what moves against them and the skin of your arms. Again, allow the sensations without labeling them as seaweed, current, or fish.

           Since you’ve stopped moving, the water becomes transparent again, and you begin to see the things you felt. You are pleased to find how accurate you were in some cases and how wrong in others. What had felt like a strand of kelp was, in fact, a small fish. You feel the wonder of blending your physical perceptions with your mental analysis of them. It’s a lovely tapestry—this life you are living with your ways of exploring and discovering it.
           Finally, imagine the things you felt beneath the water represent anything you’d like to write about. Dwell for a few minutes in a similar quest under the surface for hints in that topic.

Begin writing when you wish.

April workshops and classes:

SHORELINE CC PLUS 50    16101 Greenwood Ave. North  206-533-6706

You're in Charge: PODs, Blogs, & eBooks: Learn about digital publishing (blogs, PODs, and eBooks). Digital tips help students spend little, earn well. 4/30 10am-2pm               $10.45

Get Rich, $tay Rich Make money your friend & servant. Learn simple ways to become the richest person you know. This easy class is a step-by-step guide to bettering your life & circumstances—a Money Makeover. Wealth is within your grasp. 4/26 – 5/17 6-8:30pm  $24.28

EVERETT COMMUNITY COLLEGE (at Cont Ed location on Seaway Blvd)

   www.everettcc.edu/ccec                425-267-0150

Dialogue Workshop Learn guidelines and practice creating authentic dialogue, one of the hardest—and most important skills in writing. Punctuation issues are thoroughly covered. 4/9 10-2pm        $49

Processing Loss Workshop  Loss is a natural part of every life. But, sometimes we get stuck in recovery because the heart doesn’t obey rules…doesn’t follow schedules. Whether it’s a loved one, a pet, your stock portfolio, or your health, loss can be depressing, lonely, and painful. This unique workshop created by the author of the Processing Loss Workbook, is comfort in a time of need—company on the journey to healing. Bring finger food snacks to share.   4/16 Sat 10-2 pm     $55

Get Rich, $tay Rich   5/14  Sat 10-2pm            $55

CASCADIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE  www.cascadia.edu/cced 425-267-0150  

Creative Writing Lab Access your creative mind in an experiential writing workshop composed of unique exercises and group discussion.  Blocks & obstacles that stay the flow from thought to paper (or concept to action) dissolve in an atmosphere of acceptance & enthusiasm. This fun class is designed as a stimulus & catalyst for discovery & expression through writing for all levels of word-oriented people. 4/13-5/186 Wednesdays 6:30-8pm    $89

ONGOING Groups:

EDMONDS SENIOR CENTER   220 Railroad Ave, Edmonds      206-361-6733

Writer’s Round Table  4/8 & 22, 5/6 &20, 6/3 & 17  (6 Fri) 12:45-3pm Work on your life story, a novel, poetry, or any project. $12 per session on Drop-in basis

GREENWOOD Senior Center    525 North 85th in Seattle   206-361-6733

Write About Your Life  3/31 to 6/2 (10 Thurs) 1:15-3:15 pm   $70  (or $10 drop-in)