by Marsha Ward
Several years ago, I had a wonderful week in cool Prescott, Arizona, where I attended the Hassayampa Institute for Creative Writing at Yavapai College. In the friendly atmosphere created by the limited enrollment and the nurturing faculty and staff, I got to know many fine folks, and did revisions on work that had been mired in mud for a long while. The intensive writing workshop helped me focus on aspects of my writing that I had neglected. I had a chance to reach deep within myself to find emotions and conflicts that needed to be present in my characters to make them real.
The most important thing I found, though, was my theme, my reason for writing. I'd agonized over this issue for years. Why DID I write? I knew I felt compelled to do so, but did not know the underlying motivation.
It took me by surprise, when I was asked a single question, that the answer I gave was my theme, my motivation. The question was, "What do you want to share with the world through your writing?" I was blown away when my answer provided me with the purpose I'd been seeking to identify for such a long time.
I said, "I write to help people find hope amidst their trials, to learn to overcome, not just to wallow in misery."
Now you may think that doesn't apply to a novelist's work, that it's more suited to an essayist or a self-help guru. However, as I look back over my books, I think it fits nicely into what I have written. My principal characters pick themselves up in various ways and go forward with their lives. They illustrate how personal attributes and growth can help a person persevere.
I was very glad to have found my theme at long last. However, I don't go into every writing session thinking, How can I make my characters toe the mark and hold to the theme? I build my characters' attributes, motivations, and conflicts carefully and then let their actions come forth. Because I do this legwork out of my value system, the theme will be there, in one form or another, when I have finished.
How do you find what you want to write about? Maybe the same question I was asked will help you isolate your theme, too.
I feel so shallow. I just write to entertain people.
ReplyDeleteEntertaining people is no small feat, Terri!
ReplyDeleteVery thought-provoking post, Marsha. I want to entertain and uplift as well.
Terri, entertaining people is a gift only certain folks have! No shallowness there!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Valerie.
What a wonderful experience for you Marsha! Great question...and your answer feels right on. Your writing is filled with hope and wonderful examples of perseverance. You rock!
ReplyDeleteI am still looking for my own answers. Thanks for the nudge.
I have been inspired and encouraged, motivated, and provoked to pondering as well as action through good fiction.
ReplyDeleteI haven't picked a theme.
Something to think about.