I was thinking about this in relation to the a-z blogfest because this year I actually have a theme as opposed to last year when I pretty much just winged it. I've also already started writing my posts in advance because I'm hoping to spend time checking out other blogs as well as make time for my regulars. If I schedule my posts in advance, I may be able to accomplish just that!
I was also thinking of theme as it has to do with writing, specifically, the theme of my latest work in progress, LONG WAY HOME.* Because I thought about theme before I ever wrote the first sentence, before I even started outlining, plotting. I wanted a particular theme to run through the book. And I think this may be the first time I consciously thought about theme BEFORE starting to write.
Do you enjoy books with certain themes? Is theme something you think about before you start writing?
* working title - I like it, but it's been done a few too many times. oh well.
Hey, that's a brilliant idea to use a theme for your a-z blogfest posts.
ReplyDeleteI do think about theme before I start to write. The universal theme.
It's certainly easier to do the Challenge with a theme!
ReplyDeleteI guess I don't really think about a theme when I'm writing my own work.
I don't think about theme when I begin to write. It sort of just comes out. I don't look for it when I read and usually has to hit me in the face for me to "get it". =)
ReplyDeleteI'm using a theme for both the a-z and (hopefully) my wip. It's more *Solid* for the blogfest then I think it ever will be for the book...but I'm ok with that. I think, because the book has so many different elements and characters to it, there can't possibly be a concrete set in stone "You WILL take THIS and ONLY this away from my book as a Lesson!" First on all, GACK! Second of all...GACK and Boring to read. I think those are called Textbooks...:)
ReplyDeleteYes, i have been known to read themes. For a while, i was fascinated with time travel and read a bunch of those kinds of books. Then once it was Mars; I read a lot of scifi about Mars.
DeleteI also will read novels with horses or even cats in them; so yes to themes. I am not really going to have a theme in my A to Z challenge, instead I will show you a different painting every day.
guaranteed to be all original work by me!
Mimi Torchia Boothby Watercolors
I think of a theme for my story if the submission guidelines ask me to (e.g. the mag wants a romance story etc). I like themes as prompts - very useful! Take care
ReplyDeletex
I don't develop a story around a theme per se, but I find that a theme does present itself during the writing. It's kind of weird how that happens. :)
ReplyDeletenot really a theme, stories come at me from all angles!
ReplyDeleteI'm doing a theme for the challenge, too, and have completed half the posts so far. (YAY!) I don't think I generally write with a specific theme in mind, but sometimes, they present themselves afterwards, as if to say, "THIS is what you were trying to say." As for themes in the stuff I read, I enjoy them to a certain extent. I prefer something more subtle that I have to figure out for myself, rather than have the writer beat me over the head with it continuously, as though afraid I'm too stupid to get it without constant prodding and hints.
ReplyDeleteMy book has an overarching theme to it.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you've got yourself good and organized for this blogger game of A to Z. I will be interested to see how you like it better this year over last, since you'll be ahead of schedule and just be able to enjoy reading posts, from there.
ReplyDeleteI don't play, but much luck and fun to all you AtoZHeads.
You have received the VERSATILE BLOGGER AWARD.
ReplyDeleteYour award can be picked up at http://www.pirateknitting.com/2012/02/versatile-blogger-award-for-some-z.html
I found you on A-Z Challenge.
Pam
Pirate Knitting, A Pirate Looks Past Sixty, Quig Land
I don't usually think about a theme before I write but it seems like one appears by the time I reach the end of a story.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea for the challenge!
I've had that happen, too :)
DeleteIt looks like this year I'll be winging it for the Challenge. I've tried to write posts in advance but I'm only up to C.
ReplyDeleteThat's okay, I'm only on D and I have a theme :)
DeleteA theme can be helpful in guiding the novel but I take the ideas as they come, with a character whispering their presence or a title that jumps out at me demanding attention. Or an event that makes me think, "that would so make a tricked out story".
ReplyDeleteA bit of a mix. My ideas tend to come randomly, then I shape them to the themes I want them to reflect.
ReplyDelete