Thoughts about Writing a Novel - Theme
The theme
of a novel is different to the plot. It is the subject. The plot is action, it
shows the reader what happens and answers the questions, Who, What, When, Where
and How. The theme is often abstract and drives the plot forward. It might
focus on the cause of conflict or a main character’s goals. An effective theme
should not overpower the plot. It should be used as a background - the
characters’ experience, the author’s individual style and word pictures which
tie theme and plot together. The beginning of the novel should indicate the
theme.
Some
themes can be applied to any time and at any place e.g., conflict between
family members, others are specific such as an event that could only take place
in a country during a particular time, for example, the London Blitz in the 2nd
World War or an issue such as women’s suffrage. Religious intolerance or
another form of intolerance also provide strong themes.
Emotion is
a thread which can run through a novel and be employed as a theme that creates
conflict, for example, any one of the following, fear, greed, hatred, jealousy,
loneliness, love, revenge.
Explicit
sex is also a theme but, although my novels are sensual, it is not one of my
chosen ones.
Rosemary
Morris published by BooksWeLove
http://bookswelove.net/authors/morris-rosemary
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