tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post8962871481868384478..comments2023-12-26T09:58:45.306-06:00Comments on Writer Musings: Because I Said So!Tabithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17420910182752981979noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-72454905890081591312009-02-13T08:54:00.000-06:002009-02-13T08:54:00.000-06:00PJ - thanks. :) We've been under so much snow an...PJ - thanks. :) We've been under so much snow and ice lately that I was ready for a bit of spring, hence the flower. :) Regarding theme, maybe you don't have an overall theme. THE EMERALD TABLET is a plot-driven book, and I've noticed those kinds of books don't have major themes. The character-driven ones, however, are more likely to have serious, overall themes. They're also more likely to have hit-you-over-the-head lessons. :) Interesting the way that works out. :)<BR/><BR/>Merc - very true, you don't need to have something to say, you just need to have something to share. :) And the people reading into stuff in your work, too funny! That's my topic for next week! :)<BR/><BR/>Christina - exactly. We can't help but put in our own messages simply because we put so much of ourselves in our work. It's impossible not to. :) <BR/><BR/>Bish - great info, thanks!! :)Tabithahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420910182752981979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-25632453925194354742009-02-10T08:41:00.000-06:002009-02-10T08:41:00.000-06:00I found this about theme and plot.(I wish I knew w...I found this about theme and plot.(I wish I knew where I got so I could give credit where it's due.)<BR/><BR/>Theme is what the story is about. It is the message, the lesson to be learned, the question that is asked. It is what the author is trying to tell about life and the human condition.<BR/><BR/>Plot is the action by which this truth, the theme, will be demonstrated.<BR/><BR/>If theme is the road, then plot is the landscape the road travels through. The road goes from point A to point B but along the way there are twists and turns, beautiful vistas, barren landscapes, deer that jump out unexpectedly.<BR/><BR/>The road itself MUST get to its final destination, that is the theme. What happens getting there, even potholes, how the road changes from beginning to end, that is plot.<BR/><BR/>I have kept this near-by for many years.Bish Denhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13359927719391990534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-11653235632332491922009-02-10T05:56:00.000-06:002009-02-10T05:56:00.000-06:00Interesting topic. I'm a fan where the morals or t...Interesting topic. I'm a fan where the morals or theme as you talked about it is so seemless that the reader doesn't even realize its there. I think all writers spill in their world view into their writing no matter if they mean to or not. Because ultimately, our writing reflect who we are.Christina Farleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03459203755170266842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-209686029044801692009-02-09T23:28:00.000-06:002009-02-09T23:28:00.000-06:00Very interesting post, Tabitha! Definitely made me...Very interesting post, Tabitha! Definitely made me think (even as mushed out as my brain is thanks to the evils of spandex discussion).<BR/><BR/>I poke theme occasionally (morals? uh, no clue), but I'm not always bothered if there isn't one obviously. I write to entertain, and I don't think you NEED to have something important to say all the time to just have fun... *shrugs*<BR/><BR/>If people want to read stuff into what I write, they're welcome to. :P I tend to be oblivious about most things of that sort when I read so to some extent that shows up in my writing. ;) <BR/><BR/>My brain is shot, I can't analyze much better... but again, good post.<BR/><BR/>~MercMerchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14164221022350926808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-14047073287252141322009-02-09T21:21:00.000-06:002009-02-09T21:21:00.000-06:00I have the hardest time identifying themes in my w...I have the hardest time identifying themes in my writing. I've been asked before what theme I try to get across, and I can't come up with one thing. I can come up with a random bunch of smaller things but not the biggie.<BR/><BR/>And didactic fiction drives me nuts!<BR/><BR/>I love your new little flower icon.PJ Hooverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02602205868934777662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-38189216164589504372009-02-09T13:52:00.000-06:002009-02-09T13:52:00.000-06:00Marcia - definitely! I think these reasons apply ...Marcia - definitely! I think these reasons apply to adult fiction just as much as kids fiction. The 'message' parts are more obvious in kids lit because I think a lot of adults make the mistake of talking down to kids. I see it happen sometimes with my kids, and then my three-year-old will say something insightful that clearly blows the adult's mind. It's kind of funny. :)<BR/><BR/>Mary - I wish I'd had your sunday school teacher! Mine was over the top. I was nine, and I think I actually rolled my eyes at one of the stories she told. And I wasn't an eye-roller, at all. Too funny that we cross-posted! :)Tabithahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420910182752981979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-76431331877614645752009-02-09T13:33:00.000-06:002009-02-09T13:33:00.000-06:00(Coincidence! I've only just noticed that you wro...(Coincidence! I've only just noticed that you wrote a comment on my blog!)Mary Witzlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06458299046574564155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-45967184743003983122009-02-09T13:32:00.000-06:002009-02-09T13:32:00.000-06:00The best Sunday school teacher I ever had was one ...The best Sunday school teacher I ever had was one who told stories for the joy of it. I don't think she ever tried to tell us how to behave, but to this day I remember the great example she was. I need to remember this when I write: I have moral points I'm desperate to make and I have been too heavy handed.<BR/><BR/>Like you, my kids cannot bear being lectured to or presented with obvious morals. They wouldn't read anything that had a strong moral bias unless it was woven in so skillfully that you could hardly see it. They make great beta readers, actually...<BR/><BR/>I write for all of those reasons you've listed, but perhaps mostly for numbers 1 and 2.Mary Witzlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06458299046574564155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-2430055417722326992009-02-09T06:54:00.000-06:002009-02-09T06:54:00.000-06:00I think your last line sums it up perfectly. Most ...I think your last line sums it up perfectly. Most of the reasons people give for writing for children imply "message," especially #2 and #4 on your list, but not only those. In fact, why wouldn't they even apply to adult writing? As an introvert, I think I write to reach out, to get out of myself in an alternative way. I also write because I write. It's just me.Marciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10006966091789130047noreply@blogger.com