Choosing a recurring theme for your story is very important. A story is incomplete without a theme to give it depth and allow the characters something to hold on to. A theme has a huge impact on the characters as they will grow, develop, and explore their depths with these themes. An author needs to choose a relevant theme that they can carry properly throughout the story and do it justice. While most authors have no trouble in finding the right theme, some authors struggle to find the perfect theme to complement their story.

Here are some tips that can help an author out and ensure that the chosen theme is best for the story.

• The genre of your story needs to be considered when you are thinking about the common themes that will make up the core of your story. For example, if your novel belongs to the romance genre then the most common themes are “love” and “relationships.”

• Certain themes are universal in nature. The themes of “love” and “power” are two of the most recurring and most appreciated themes. Most authors can handle them well, while these themes make the story relatable and believable.

• The theme of “obsession” is yet another universal theme that can be applied to every genre. You can use this for horror fiction, suspense, mystery, and even action.

• Once you have decided which of these themes is best for your story, ensure that the theme complements the characters as well. Think about your character sketches and then see if the theme will be suitable for the characters or not.

• Themes don’t work as “one size fits all.” If your story focuses on more than one character, then you can choose multiple themes to center around them throughout the story. It is best to choose themes that are according to the goals of the characters.

• You should write down the list of themes and sub-themes that can be implemented in your story. You can make it easier for yourself by making a list; deducting and adding new themes will become much more efficient this way.

• Look at how other authors are using themes. Read what the other authors have written, how they handle the themes and see how you can implement their technique into your style of writing. Every author has a unique way of writing; they all have their perspective so reading different novels will give you new ideas that can help you give a creative boost as well.

• Start the process by writing the first draft of your story and see where the story is going. Sometimes, your character will take you to places and direct you where the story will go. Starting the writing process can make things clearer and allow you to see where the story is going, which in turn helps in finding the best themes for the story. Understanding the characters will also help in seeing how the theme can help in the story’s progress as well.