Is it better to know the theme of your novel before you
begin writing? Should you have a handle on the protagonist’s internal problems
so you can build your writing around that issue?
For myself, I find it easier to write out the story,
beginning to end, then go back and see what theme emerged from the writing. In
my latest WIP (before NaNoWriMo) my third sentence emerged as the
metaphor that describes the novel’s plot and subplot. It wasn’t a perfect match
after the first draft but become more apparent with the second draft. During
the (ongoing) editing process, I started to adjust the story to fall into line
with what I saw as the defining theme of the novel.
Enlightenment is an illuminating experience!
Where do you stand on the writing process, do you want to
know the facts upfront or do you prefer to watch them unfold as your story
grows? Do you consider your story’s theme while you write the first draft, or
mine your work later for those enlightening nuggets?
I admit I never even think about a theme while writing. It just emerges. And I always start with the ending, then plan either backwards or up until that moment before I start writing.
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