Picking a good 'theme'

[E.G. Gammon]

When I originally decided to convert my planned limited-run soap opera into a novel series, my original idea for the theme was "consequences" and the fact that no matter what a person does, consequences are permanent and will occur (and I clearly showed the actions and what consequences - either good or bad - came from them). But lately, I have noticed a great shift in the theme. My original theme is still stressed throughout the story, but now a theme of "death" is starting to emerge and really take over. I think a lot of it has to do with my father's death (less than 2 years ago) and how unfair it was - because in the series, more good people die than bad - and my father was as good as they come. I am really liking the new theme, and I think the story will improve because of it, especially since I can use my emotions and my own idea of "death" while writing the books, but is "death" too dark a theme?

[maestrowork]

Is "death" really a theme? Or just vehicles to get deeper, such as remorse, guilt, betrayal, loss, etc...

I mean LOVE, FEAR, DEATH, HAPPINESS... they are all VERY board as far as themes are concerned. You would have to ask, what kind of "love" (unrequited? undying? unconditional?)... what kind of "fear" (fear of aging? fear of loss?)... what kind of "death"?

[E.G. Gammon]

...what kind of "death"?

Unfair death, maybe? There is a lot of grief, remorse, guilt and betrayal felt by my characters. I guess the best way to explain it is: "Death" itself is the antagonist. Death is picking off characters - for a reason - most of them ones who don't deserve to die, and I show the effect of those deaths. My series is becoming very dark and while I LOVE the direction it is heading in, I fear it may be too dark for some people. What do you think?

[maestrowork]

Nah, don't worry about it being "too dark." If it's a good story, people will love it.

That said, I think you do have to think about what is the payoff... is it too depressing? Will there be a gleamer of hope somewhere? If people are dying right and left, unfairly, what's in for the readers? Is there a payoff for them, somewhere, at the end, perhaps?

Not to say a tragic, depressing, angst-filled story won't work... but you do have to wonder, what do you offer the readers for release? A good cry at the end? Some profound lessons about life? If not, your story CAN become emotionally abusive... just beware.

[E.G. Gammon]

Nah, don't worry about it being "too dark." If it's a good story, people will love it.

That said, I think you do have to think about what is the payoff... is it too depressing? Will there be a gleamer of hope somewhere? If people are dying right and left, unfairly, what's in for the readers? Is there a payoff for them, somewhere, at the end, perhaps?

Not to say a tragic, depressing, angst-filled story won't work... but you do have to wonder, what do you offer the readers for release? A good cry at the end? Some profound lessons about life? If not, your story CAN become emotionally abusive... just beware.

At the beginning of the series, death is seen as something harsh, rough, jagged, evil and as I explore death more and more, I end up showing the beauty in it at the very end (I also stress the "meaning of death"). I don't kill off everyone, and there is a satisfying ending for those characters who remain. But those who die at the end - it's a battle between good and evil so people have to die - die with dignity and in a way that their deaths are satisfying. That may make no sense, but you'd have to know the story to understand I guess... There's also a theme of the power of life and death.

[Jonny Ryan Mac]

E.G. Gammon, you have my attention. The theme is good, as death is an ineviablity. Its a theme that if done right, well be very inrtiguing. My first and most recent works are very death centered. It has a certian appeal, "The end." I think thats why so many good fictions have a hero's noble death at the end.

[NeuroFizz]

Hi, E.G.

In my interpretation of what you've said, your theme doesn't seem to be "death," but individuals' reactions to death, their feelings about death, their fears, etc. This is not dark, and it is real. That broad theme can carry a lot of emotional weight in a story, and from individual to individual, it can be tremendously variable. In other words, it's a productive tree for a writer. But, don't just go for the low-hanging fruit. Get a ladder.

Cheers, NF