Theme: A theme expresses the author’s perspective of the fundamental idea on which the rest of the work is built.

Other words that have the same or similar meaning: opinion (the author’s perspective on a topic).

Unlike formal communication, fiction does not directly state the theme of the story. Instead, this is developed through the characters, scenes, settings and other elements of the work.

Though not all works of fiction have to have a theme, building your work on an underlying concept strengthens it by giving it direction and purpose.

A theme also gives a reader the opportunity to connect better with your work as themes can be used as instruments for teaching and inspiring growth.

Developing an uncommon and valuable theme also serves to set your book or story apart from others.

Where do you begin?

Though some authors develop their plot before the theme then later come up with the idea for their story, this may be harder to achieve. Given that the theme is the foundational concept for your story, the easier way to approach it is by defining your theme first. From there you can imagine and develop the right characters for your work, the right pace and so on.

How to Develop the Theme: Broader Options

1. Consider Your Genre

The genre in which your book belongs largely dictates what your theme for the book will be about. In science fiction, for instance, common themes include survival, dominance, control of another race, vengeance or redemption. In romance stories, common themes can include self-sacrifice, crimes related to romantic relationships, jealousy or forgiveness.

2. Read Books by Other Authors

Reading other writers’ books can give you an idea of where to begin. Tweaking their ideas and brainstorming on other themes in books that are doing well can be a great guiding factor when you begin to develop yours. Only make sure that your idea is unique and is not copied directly from other books.

How to Develop the Theme: Specific Options

1. Examine the reason for your work

This includes establishing the why behind what you are about to write. Reasons for writing a book vary depending on the writer and other aspects surrounding the story. Here are some reasons why writers write:

-To help others learn something we have already learned ourselves

-To create a permanent record that will outlive us and tell our story even when we are not around to tell it

-To learn something and explore what we have not explored before

-To let go of the past and move forward

-To tell a story we think is brilliant and will resonate

-To give our point of view

-To express something beautiful.

2. Develop your Theme into the Story’s Plot

To do this, you will use several elements to ensure that your theme is prominent enough that it can be identified in your story.

Characterization: This is the main way in which you can develop your theme. Characters are the main drivers of any story and they are the best tool to use to bring out the theme you intended for the plot.