Theme in Fiction: 5 Tips and Pitfalls

Theme is the quiet but essential heartbeat that gives depth and meaning to narratives. It’s the invisible thread that weaves together the tapestry of storytelling, providing a unifying purpose beyond the surface plot and characters. Theme is what elevates a story from being merely entertaining to becoming thought-provoking and resonant.

Hard to believe, but very little is written on theme in fiction. To me, theme is the heart of a story, and without this “heartbeat” thumping through the pages, it’s hard for readers to be emotionally moved. Donald Maass famously said: “Readers read to care.” Theme is what makes them care. (If this topic interests you, be sure to check out my book Writing the Heart of Your Story, which goes deeply into theme in fiction).

But what exactly is theme in fiction? At its core, theme is the central message, idea, or insight that a story conveys. It’s the underlying concept or question that the narrative explores, the core around which characters, plot events, and symbols revolve. Themes in fiction are like hidden currents that give depth and direction to a story. When skillfully woven into the narrative, they can elevate a tale from mere entertainment to a thought-provoking experience.

However, integrating theme into your story can be tricky, and there are pitfalls to avoid along the way.

Here are five tips and the common pitfalls to steer clear of when working with themes:

1. Clarity and Consistency:

Key Tip: Ensure your theme is clear and consistent throughout your story. It should be a guiding force, shaping character motivations, plot developments, and the overall tone.

Pitfall to Avoid: Ambiguity or inconsistency in your theme can confuse readers and weaken the impact of your story. Avoid sudden shifts in theme or unresolved conflicts that leave your audience puzzled. Ensure your theme remains true to your story from beginning to end.

2. Avoid Preaching:

Key Tip: Subtlety is your ally when conveying your theme. Allow your readers to interpret and engage with the theme themselves, rather than delivering it through heavy-handed exposition.

Screenwriter/film producer Gerald DiPego says, “If you want to do more than just entertain, if you want to entertain and enrich, inspire, or say something about the world and the human condition, then you have to think about what you want to say in order to subtly weave it through the story.”

Two words in his statement stand out to me: subtly and weave. 

Pitfall to Avoid: Resist the urge to turn your characters into mouthpieces for your theme. Characters should feel authentic and relatable, not like vessels for delivering sermons. A story that feels preachy or didactic can turn readers away, so let the narrative and character actions speak for themselves.

3. Balancing Theme and Storytelling:

Key Tip: Theme should enhance your storytelling, not overpower it. While it’s essential, remember that theme serves the story, not the other way around.

Pitfall to Avoid: Don’t sacrifice plot and character development solely to reinforce your theme. Overemphasis on theme can lead to a stagnant or didactic narrative. Strive for a balance where theme enriches the story without overshadowing it.

4. Avoid Clichés and Stereotypes:

Key Tip: Explore your theme in a fresh and unique way. Avoid relying on clichéd or stereotypical representations of your theme, as they can feel trite and unengaging.

Pitfall to Avoid: Falling back on overused tropes or one-dimensional characters that embody a theme can make your story feel predictable and uninspired. Instead, seek out original angles and nuanced character portrayals to breathe new life into your theme.

5. Resonance, Not Resolution:

Key Tip: Themes don’t always require neat resolutions. Sometimes, leaving certain aspects of the theme open-ended can create a sense of lingering resonance.

Pitfall to Avoid: Avoid the temptation to neatly tie up every thematic thread. While some themes benefit from resolution, others may thrive when they leave room for interpretation and contemplation. Strive for an ending that feels satisfying while allowing the theme to linger in the minds of your readers.

Navigating themes in fiction requires finesse, and recognizing and avoiding these common pitfalls can help you create a more compelling and resonant narrative. By maintaining clarity and consistency, avoiding heavy-handed preaching, balancing theme and storytelling, steering clear of clichés, and embracing the idea of theme resonance rather than resolution, you can craft a story that engages readers on a deeper level while staying true to your narrative vision.

Featured Photo by Kilimanjaro STUDIOz on Unsplash