Chaos and confusion come when established rules and procedures are not followed. Even mixing and matching systems to favor one's own position can cause a great deal of consternation. In writing a book, the first rule is to know and understand why you want to write in the first place.
In other words, you need to develop a theme that will answer the question of why you want to write. I usually get a blank stare when I ask a budding author, "What is your book's theme?" Eventually the answer I get may be the title of a manuscript.
When I explain that a title isn't a theme, I then may hear, "It's the story of my life." That is unquestionably the number-one answer I get. There is a big difference between the title of your book and your theme.
While your title may be the sizzle, the theme is the flavor and is formally defined as a "recurring, unifying subject or idea." This is the aim or the main message of your book. Generally speaking, in writing there are two themes: the author's theme and the book's theme.
The author's theme is the usual subject matter the writer handles, or the one the writer is most comfortable with. For example, a writer may find his forte in the subject matter of healing or forgiveness. Another may write most of the time in the area of spirituality or motivation.
Don't confuse the author's theme with genre, which is the category of writing. In addition to establishing if you are writing fiction or non-fiction, there are several categories your book may fall into. Some of the most popular ones today are biography, science fiction, fantasy, mystery, romance, thriller/espionage, horror, inspirational, historical, and courtroom drama.
Your book's theme is what the reader should learn most after reading your story. There are two answers that you as a writer shouldn't give when questioned about your theme: 1) This book is about me and the things that have happened to me; and 2) A rambling, almost incoherent dissertation that leaves one asking, "Huh?" Every author should ask and answer the following questions: "Why am I writing? What am I trying to articulate? What kind of outcome will the story have on the reader and what is the outcome I'm aiming for?"
In other words, what is the rationale behind your book? For example in his bestseller, The Purpose-Driven? Life(Zondervan), author Rick Warren, founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, takes readers on a "personal 40-day spiritual journey" to find the answer to the question, "What on earth am I here for?" To me, the most important element of your book is its theme.
Writing professors will probably disagree with me, and that is their right. In fact, some say the title is the most important. I understand, because all of this is subjective and mostly based upon personal preference. After all, there are many elements to creating a successful manuscript. But after years of trying to get would-be writers to complete their novels, short stories or even church talks, I've discovered that nothing has helped to move them "off the pot" quicker than having a well-developed theme.
Marvin D. Cloud is founder of http://mybestseller.com and author of "Get Off The Pot: How to Stop Procrastinating and Write Your Personal Bestseller in 90 Days."
A friend and I were talking the other day about... Read More
What Makes a Great Headline?Headlines are far more important than... Read More
(Skip directly to ten for the fastest shortcut!)Like any field,... Read More
What possibly could I have to write about? I never... Read More
When you read a letter from someone, we are immediately... Read More
Writer's Block can strike like a King Cobra, paralyzing every... Read More
There are various forms of structure, including frameworks, work processes... Read More
We all need a cheer squad.We all need people to... Read More
The greatest gift you have to give to yourself and... Read More
Rudolph Flesch, a pioneering advocate of readability, put great stock... Read More
You're writing a story set in your local city, but... Read More
Today Norm Goldman, Editor of sketchandtravel and bookpleasures is honored... Read More
Do you have trouble getting your thoughts and ideas down... Read More
For many years, I've been a tutor for students undertaking... Read More
I hate to admit this, but I rarely get an... Read More
1. Remember publication is a business; writing is an art.... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?How we usually begin the preparation stage... Read More
Have you ever read someone else's writing and thought one... Read More
Have you ever wondered why some people can make millions... Read More
The writing community is a strong one, with many new... Read More
Although he has his own website, John Grisham probably does... Read More
PASSED, PASTPassed is the past tense of pass. Past means... Read More
If you are looking for copywriter books, you'll want to... Read More
In the current job market, many editorial freelancers have turned... Read More
Each author has special editing needs. To save yourself time... Read More
The decision to publish a book is very exciting! It... Read More
Just about every marketer on the Internet claims to be... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?Whichever theme you choose, all the elements,... Read More
People familiar with the Myers-Briggs Personality test know that the... Read More
It is certainly true that we don't get a second... Read More
I do on occasion run out of ideas for my... Read More
Short Story Writing Tips:Your title is your selling tool. It's... Read More
For several years before I left teaching to write full... Read More
The creativity of Jaisini is not designed to be preaching... Read More
Freelance writer STANLEY BURKHARDT has a passion for animals. He... Read More
Griselda spent hours polishing up her resume. No detail was... Read More
Good writing requires self-examination. Why is one writing? What part... Read More
I went to school to be a teacher. In fact,... Read More
All sales begin with some form of advertising whether it's... Read More
I hate to admit this, but I rarely get an... Read More
Originality emerges from structure. Once you have a story idea,... Read More
It would be very selfless or noble of me to... Read More
With the expansion and diversion of businesses, manufacturers, and even... Read More
Once you've plotted out your book, developed the characters and... Read More
Great business writers combine narrative skills with sound judgment to... Read More
There is no specific formula for children's fiction. There are,... Read More
There is a psychological nuisance so powerful that can deflate... Read More
As in all endeavors, toil is necessary to succeed and... Read More
What is a freelance grant writer? These individuals have a... Read More
ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number. It is a... Read More
Writing |