Sometimes, the thing that comes first for me when I’m writing is a first line.

But that can make it difficult to weave a story around.

Then, I might have to kill my darling first line and start over.

Sad.

So what should come first?

It’s kind of like planning a party.

Do you start with the guest list, or the menu, or the theme?

There really is no right or wrong method.

It can depend on what gets your imagination spinning enough to tackle the blank pages day after day and get the story written.

But if you want to save yourself some hardship, try starting with a theme.

I can plan what I think is the perfect plot or create the perfect cast of characters, but then I have to ask, “So what?”

The “so what” is the theme.

It’s really tiresome to write an entire novel and still have no idea about the “so what.”

Without a good answer to that, your story will suffer.

And might require a complete rewrite.

Without a theme, chances are you’ve just got characters wandering through a series of events.

You need to know at least one of your themes.

In addition to theme, the “so what” is also the stakes—what stands to be lost.

Sometimes the “so what” can’t be fully answered until you’re a ways through the writing process.

Original themes can be broad.

It’s not until your characters come to life through the actual writing that the detailed and nuanced themes become evident.

Here are some theme and stakes ideas:

• Is retribution worth risking your position in a family?

Retribution is the theme.

Risking your position in your family is the stakes.

• Is it possible to love someone so much that you ruin your life?

Love is the theme.

Ruining your life is the stakes.

• Is finding your way back home important enough to risk being captured by a witch?

Home is the theme.

Being captured by a witch is the stakes.

Look at the fiction book you’re currently reading.

What’s the theme and what are the stakes?

What’s the “so what?”

For example, I’m currently reading The Hunger Games. (I know! What took me so long!)

It’s the dystopian story of a girl who sacrifices herself in order to save her sister.

So what?

Some of the themes are sacrifice and loyalty, survival, humanity.

So what?

The stakes are death (always the ultimate stake) of Katniss’s sister or herself, Katniss may lose her humanity while trying to keep herself alive, Katniss may turn on a friend to save herself.

Now look at the story you’re writing.

Do you have a solid answer to “so what?”

If you do, wahoo!

Keep writing.

If not, home in on one theme.

It could save you some time and hardship.

Quick tip: Don’t spell out in your story what the theme is.

Keep it hidden, waiting to beinterpreted by the reader.

Enjoy your week,

~ Gail

(Tick tock)

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