After starting my umpteenth thread in Query Letter Hell today, I think I am gradually realizing that what I need to hone in on is the central theme of my book. It's taken me a while to realize what the theme IS - mainly because I am having a hugely difficult time putting it into words.
I am now going to spew all of my thoughts about my theme. I would really really really appreciate it if you could sort through the garbage and help me come up with ONE SENTENCE that sums up The Theme.
Ready?
The book is about preconceptions. When other people look at us and meet us, they have a certain idea about who we are. Sometimes those assumptions stick and grow, and soon it's almost as if we become what other people expect of us simply because we see ourselves reflected in them. It's very hard to break out of those molds. The story is about a couple of high school teachers - so they have these identities cast upon them by their students, coworkers, etc. Example. One is a scary woman gym teacher. She's built up this angry, bitter, sarcastic shell around herself to deal with everything everyone says about her - and in the process she's become exactly what they thought she was. But that's not who she really is - she is not even sure who she is anymore.
And it's also about finding the right person to view yourself. It's very difficult to see yourself accurately, and in fact your view may be so warped by other people's perceptions that you can never have an accurate view. Only the people who really love you can tell you who you are - because genuine love (not infatuation) sees the truth and loves you for exactly who you are. So there are hidden things about us, that we ourselves don't even know, that can only be revealed by the people we love. This doesn't have to be romantic love, necessarily, it just has to be genuine.
/spew
Help???
I am now going to spew all of my thoughts about my theme. I would really really really appreciate it if you could sort through the garbage and help me come up with ONE SENTENCE that sums up The Theme.
Ready?
The book is about preconceptions. When other people look at us and meet us, they have a certain idea about who we are. Sometimes those assumptions stick and grow, and soon it's almost as if we become what other people expect of us simply because we see ourselves reflected in them. It's very hard to break out of those molds. The story is about a couple of high school teachers - so they have these identities cast upon them by their students, coworkers, etc. Example. One is a scary woman gym teacher. She's built up this angry, bitter, sarcastic shell around herself to deal with everything everyone says about her - and in the process she's become exactly what they thought she was. But that's not who she really is - she is not even sure who she is anymore.
And it's also about finding the right person to view yourself. It's very difficult to see yourself accurately, and in fact your view may be so warped by other people's perceptions that you can never have an accurate view. Only the people who really love you can tell you who you are - because genuine love (not infatuation) sees the truth and loves you for exactly who you are. So there are hidden things about us, that we ourselves don't even know, that can only be revealed by the people we love. This doesn't have to be romantic love, necessarily, it just has to be genuine.
/spew
Help???
