In Others’ Words: Finding Your Theme

 

Mention “theme,” and most people are transported back to English class, when the teacher asked, “What is the theme of this book?” Some of us had fun with this question about the central idea in a novel or short story or poem or play, and some of us started counting the days until summer vacation.

And then some of us … well, some of us became writers. And we ponder and talk about and wrestle with themes whenever we write a book.

But the truth is, fictional characters are not the only ones who have themes in their lives.

You have a life theme. I have a life theme. Every single person created by God — every single person! — has a central idea, or ideas, to their lives. We often go looking for this “theme” — sometimes we call it our passion, our purpose. But I think things like our passion and purpose come out of our life theme(s). Our life theme is created by the circumstances we face. The people we meet. The choices we make.

One of my life themes — based on my circumstances, my relationships, my choices — is family. My life “speaks” of family — and so does my writing. I could even broaden that theme and say one of my life themes is relationships, based on the same criteria.

In Your Words: What’s your life theme? How did you discover it?

In Others’ Words: Finding Your Theme https://wp.me/p63waO-2t0 @bethvogt #quotes #theme

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“Ultimately, your theme will find you. You don’t have to go looking for it.” via @bethvogt #theme #RichardRusso

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In Others’ Words: Finding Your Theme https://wp.me/p63waO-2t0 @bethvogt #quotes #theme

“Ultimately, your theme will find you. You don’t have to go looking for it.” via @bethvogt #theme #RichardRusso