Writing isn’t just a means of goofy ideas it’s an in-depth dive into a concept, themes or philosophies. Ever since the creation of creativity people have been telling stories as a way to learn to live better.
In every good piece of literature, there is a deeper idea or concept it explores, nowadays we call them themes but that’s not quite what they are.
They are truths.
When you’re writing you are speaking someone’s truth their experience is not just an overarching theme but a deeply ingrained truth of reality.
In this post, we’ll explore how to implement themes organically and compellingly.
Why Tell Stories?
The thing to understand is all themes are some sort of truth.
Everyone has their own truth, it doesn’t mean it is necessarily true but it’s their experience so it is their truth.
This is how writers create their own voice as writing that is spawned from individual experience will evidently be unique.
However, as everyone is a part of the same human experience there are ‘universal’ truths;
- Fear
- Interest of Unknown
- Contemplation of Death
- The Supernatural
No matter what culture or time you are from every point in human history people have been exploring these universal themes through their own experiences.
These ideas can be pigeonholed into social concepts like capitalism or nihilism.
What we need to understand is if you want your story to have meaning it has to show an experience of one of these truths.
Doing so is both incredibly relatable for your audience but also compelling as it shows your readers another way to look at something.
Innovation
In the early 1900s, two 30-year-old Americans would change the entire fabric of how we thought of transportation.
After countless hours of testing and design the Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur Wright would be the first people in history to make and pilot the world’s first aeroplane.
American society at the time thought flying commercially was but a magic trick, a feat of trickery that could never be achieved.
After all, what’s the problem with horses?
The Wright brothers were seen circling the skies of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina however every passerby thought them mere magicians, tricks of smoke and mirrors.
It would take quite some time before anyone actually took notice of this innovative fete of history.
What Does it Mean?
Like the Wright brothers, we must show our audience through our creations a different spin on common thoughts and ideas.
Before their invention, the Wright brothers were a part of a society where man was confined to the earth and that was their truth.
With our writing, we must innovate and create alternate routes around common beliefs.
Truly revolutionary writing lifts the curtain on a new individual experience that shatters our belief in the world.
Putting It All Together
Crafting powerful themes requires intentional and mindful development throughout the writing process. Start by outlining the key messages you want your work to convey.
Whether exploring universal truths, societal commentary, or personal insights, clarity of intention is paramount.
Dive into the intricate interplay between characters, plot, and setting. Each element can serve as a canvas to reinforce and amplify your themes.
Develop characters whose experiences mirror the thematic essence, weave plotlines that challenge and illuminate your chosen messages, and utilize settings that contribute to the overall thematic atmosphere.
Consistency in tone and symbolism acts as a guiding force in enhancing thematic elements.
Maintain a tone that aligns with the emotional core of your themes, creating a cohesive and immersive reader experience.
Symbolism, when used deliberately, can become a powerful tool for reinforcing and subtly expanding upon the thematic threads woven into your narrative.
By approaching the development of themes with intention and craftsmanship, you infuse your writing with depth and resonance, leaving a lasting impact on your readers.
Happy writing, and may your themes enrich the literary landscape with lasting impressions.
I hope you enjoyed, I post writing tips every day. Here’s my most recent post;
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