Last time, we talked about what your "theme song" is, writing-wise.
Not what themes your work explores...but the "lens" through which you inevitably write most of your fiction. (Or, for that matter, probably your nonfiction, too. But since I'm a novelist, I'm dealing with the fiction side of the "fence" for now.)
I mentioned that my theme, which I discovered early on, is Things are not always what they appear to be.
Now, if you think that through for a while, you'll realize it applies to much, much, much of life.
In the current climate of everybody-looking-for-an-enemy that we seem to have in the world at large, you can just about count on this to be true, 105 percent of the time.
But this blog isn't the place where we discuss social or sociological issues; here, we're talking writing, a little spiritual stuff here and there, a little wine and food here and there, a cat or two...stuff that really makes life enjoyable and positive, rather than stressful and negative. So, relax, sit back, and think about how that "theme" of yours contributes to how your stories take shape...and to generating more of them, if you feel creatively "dry" for some reason.
Wondering what that means? Let me give you a few examples from my own books.
In From the Ashes, James Michael Goodwin's career isn't what it appears to be--nor is he. So much so that, in the beginning of the book, he's got a gun to his head. Because he's tired of pretending through the pain.
The other side to that "pretending" happens when he heals...rediscovers his muse...and falls in love. But even then, there's another scenario at work behind the scenes, one that twists the story into an almost terminal black moment.
In Voice of Innocence, everybody "knows" Lachlan MacAndrews is a user, a married man who illicitly led a younger woman on--and probably was responsible for her death. The problem is, what everybody "knows"...isn't true. Lachlan is something else entirely, living a terrifying situation brought about by someone else manipulating events around him to construct a noose around his neck.
In my present (being marketed) Dean's Daughter books, the dean's daughter at a prestigious conservatory is in danger of falling in love with--of all people--the conservatory's piano tuner--an affront to both academic hierarchies and common sense. Only Malachi Jonah Goodwin is more than just a tuner, and how much more astounds everyone...maybe Malachi himself most of all.
Those are just a few examples of how, in my own writing, I've taken the idea that things are not what they appear to be, and from that premise spun entire new sides to characters, to what "looks like" the plot, to who "looks like" good guys or bad guys--and so forth.
The best news about this "deceptive" theme is that it has infinite variations.
Because in this wide world of ours, things are rarely, if ever, exactly only what they appear to be at first glance. Or second. Or even fiftieth.
We all experience this when we meet new people, or try new foods, or go new places, that we're sure we're not gonna like--and, instead, make what can be lifelong friends, new culinary passions, or memories of adventures we treasure forever.
Ergo...all you need to do to create a whole new story with this theme is to look at a situation--any situation--and flip it on its head. What if what you're seeing isn't the reality? What if that person isn't the sweet, helpful soul he or she appears to be...but has an agenda in mind for your doom? What if you are in an intimate relationship...with someone who wants you dead?
And that's just a jumping-off point. If you don't want to write suspense, or sinister people, you can still use a "theme" like this for "sweet," lighthearted stories. (Like, what if that piano tuner isn't just a piano tuner, after all?)
What take-away is here for you, then?
A suggestion--that if you don't know your "theme song" already, sit down and think about what it might be. It could be an actual "song," of course. But I'd suspect it's more likely a simple sentence, a simple premise, a simple lens...through which you see your world, and through which you can then, with a little kaleidoscope-turn, make a surprise happen.
Or more than one surprise.
Or a whole swackload of stories' worth of them.
And you'll never have to worry about repeating yourself--because a really good theme is bare-bones, the basics, the foundation. What you build on top of it is still limited only by imagination. And we all know how limited that is!
So....don't be shy. Think about it. When you come up with it--even if it sounds silly--try it out here in the comments section. And let's talk a whole bunch of new music!
Thoughts?
Janny
