Creative Writing Tips -
Your theme has to be something you can
prove in your story - It doesn't have
to be a universal truth. This means that
your theme doesn't have to be something
that happens in real life all the time
(providing our logic can accept it, in
order for us to believe it).
Whatever story you choose to write, be
it a contemporary or a story which requires
elements of fantasy such as in horror,
science fiction etc. the events of that
story have to appear logical.
What is not logical and consequently
not believable is.
A character that has no knowledge of
computers and overnight becomes a computer
whiz
A car that goes over a cliff, bursts
into flames and the character manages
to escape unscratched
Etc
These are not believable because they
can't and don't happen in real life and
our logic doesn't accept them.
Your theme will be believed when you
prove it (providing of course you can.)
Let's see how you can do that.
We'll start with a theme.
"Hard work leads to success.'
Our story is about a character whose
goal is to reach a managerial position
within the company that he works. For
the reader to see how the character will
reach his goal I will show him.
- Working hard
- Working long hours
- Using his initiative
- Being responsible
And all those qualities, in the end,
will secure him the promotion he has been
aiming for.
So my theme here will be proved that
'Hard work leads to success' because my
character succeeds in the end.
>From the examples I have given so far,
you may have noticed that my stories end
on a happy note. Yours don't have to.
The ending will depend on the story you
are writing and how you, the writer, prefers
to end it.
I could have done the reverse with this
theme. I could have said,
"Hard work doesn't lead to success."
My story will be the same but in the
end I will have the character missing
out on the promotion. Both themes will
be proved because I have proved them in
my story.
Any theme can work in a story providing
you can prove it.
Have you proved your theme?
| About The Author
Besides his passion for writing,
Nick Vernon runs an online gift
site where you will find gift information,
articles and readers' funny stories.
Visit http://www.we-recommend.com
|
This article was posted on August
24, 2004
