I’ve discovered theme does not arrive in the rough draft. You may have an idea of what the theme of your story is, but it will be refined with each revision. When you finally are satisfied with your theme, you can use it as a standard for which scenes to keep and which to delete. If a scene does not fulfill your theme, then it does not belong.
Here are some articles on writing I’ve read lately:
- 8 writing tips from authors who won the Nobel
- How to Focus When You’re Writing
- Writers Have to Be Jugglers: Tips for Managing Multiple Projects at Once
- The Opposite is Possible Theory of Character Development
- How to Break Through a Fiction Writing Block
Andrew M. Friday 
Reblogged this on litaenterprise and commented:
I read about theme like other people eat chocolate. Can’t get enough of it. Looking forward to the moment the penny drops and I get that ‘Eureka!’ moment. This article from Andrew helped.
I think James N. Frey wrote a great chapter on theme in his book HOW TO WRITE A DAMN GOOD NOVEL. It made me realize how important theme is.
Thanks, Andrew! Gonna check it out, right about…
Have ordered a copy for 12p plus P&P from one of my favourite sellers on you-know-where 😉 Ooh! and just received confirmation. Thanks again for the recommendation. 🙂
Thanks, Andrew! Have reblogged. 🙂