FIGURE THIS OUT BEFORE WRITING A WORD: How To Write Your Story's THEME

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Күн бұрын

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#writing #storytelling #theme
Chapters:
Continuing with my series on the Elements of Fiction, we are talking about themes. Theme isn't more important than the plot or (god-for-bid) the characters, but it is a main artery within the body of your story. I use popular movies, video games, and books such as The Last of Us, Interstellar, Dune, Annihilation, and The Knights of the Old Republic II. Strap in, and let me know what you're wrestling with!
00:00 The Point
02:07 Part 1
09:56 Part 2
15:39 Part 3
21:08 Part 4
23:57 Part 5 & Closing
The Point of Writing Stories is Theme | Elements of Fiction
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#writingadvice #storytelling #thelastofus #interstellar #kotor

Пікірлер: 41

@wrestlingwithwords Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! Check out the prior video on Characters: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ndmGjLSHvbuYenU.html

@meladaptiveTragedies 7 ай бұрын

Most of my projects are about mental health, healing, and pain. I actually have a really hard time writing plots, but the information about characters still helped me regardless

@garykotowski2622 3 ай бұрын

Me too. I'm in the exact situation with a novel of spiritual realization. It's basically a version of Job, and with a theme like that, plot almost seems to be a shallow thing. It's in the editing stage now, but I'm really struggling with the resolution. I'd be interested in hearing your experience with this topic.

@_KRYMZN_ 2 ай бұрын

I’m a new writer but one of my favourite ways of going about it is to let characters lead the way. What would they do? What would prevent them from achieving their goal using their methods? How far do they get? And then what needs to help them get to where I want them?

@captainnolan5062 2 ай бұрын

Stating your theme as a question, and having the characters answer that question in different ways is a great way to think about theme. Not just "Free Will vs Predetermined Destiny"; but rather: "Do humans have free will?" "Are our futures predestined?"

@wrestlingwithwords 2 ай бұрын

Exactly! This is a really powerful way to think about themes and how your character(s) might answer or position themselves in support, opposition, or indifference towards these ideas. Thank you for your comments and for watching!

@jamisamess1270 11 ай бұрын

I'm so happy to have randomly found u while making illustrations for my manga! I just started my journey as a writer recently through a spontaneous random desire to make it big one day. I'll definitely listen to all ur videos so I can elevate my storytelling skills further. Thank u for this video and hopefully many more to come!

@wrestlingwithwords 11 ай бұрын

I really appreciate you saying so and am so happy you found me! Also, congrats on starting your own writing and storytelling journey. It will be long, exciting, and hopefully very rewarding. Please let me know in the future what you're working on and what you might need further insight on!

@Royalscriber5633 4 ай бұрын

For me the main focus is, atm, "There is good and bad in all and this conflict is eternal. Yet we cannot stop for if we do, all that we've lost will have been for nothing." Something along those lines is somewhat of a quote I actually want to be to place in my story at some point. It might be altered or written differently but it's the gist of the base of my story despite how vague it is.

@wrestlingwithwords 4 ай бұрын

It’s good that you have a clear vision of the tone and theme (it sounds like that is a major theme of yours). Thank you for sharing!

@jasonsomers8224 3 ай бұрын

When I think of motifs, I think of intertextuality. A shared symbol or archetype can be as useful as a shared word, and shared words are the basis of language. Using motifs can allow you to quickly communicate to your reader. Another intertextual thought: referencing a story outside your own can clue your reader into knowing the ideas your working with. It shows what stories you've read at the very least and if done with intentionality, it shows what themes you are dialoging with.

@wrestlingwithwords 3 ай бұрын

For sure! Thank you for the comment. I agree with you. Motifs are excellent tools to single to the audience and provide a deeper understanding of a character or story.

@cybersandoval 7 ай бұрын

It's paradoxical that there needs to be some ambiguity in "what's it about" for it resonate with individual interpretations. Is that some fine literary decon? Good job!

@BadNessie 2 ай бұрын

The value of leaving things open to interpretation of the reader or the audience, to my mind, is exactly the reason why some people get fed up with franchises and their spin-offs. Every last detail seems to get digged into, which leaves hardly any, maybe no room for interpretation. This is probably quite an appealing approach in times that are perceived as uncertain or even insecure. A lot of people thrive for ultimate clarity as a form of escapism in complicated times. And while I do understand the need for escapism, it also seems like our brains get used to always getting answers for everything, although that's unrealistic. And this might lead to a higher susceptibility to people who throw out easy answers in real life, where often there are not any. I won't put it in the responsibility of any author to remind people that we can impossibly know every last detail with certainty, and that there are often no easy answers. But I highly appreciate stories that leave me thinking about something, because I wasn't given all the ultimate answers. Funny enough, I think CSI (Las Vegas) got that right at some point many points. Season 1 / episode 9 'Unfriendly Skies' for example did a really good job on that end.

@jedielfqueen Жыл бұрын

This was brilliantly communicated and very helpful! I have seen Interstellar >10x and never caught that family/home/leaving juxtaposition of those two scenes with Mann and Murphy. Murphy's name is an obvious motif that is screamed at us effectively throughout the movie.

@wrestlingwithwords Жыл бұрын

Thank you for saying so! OH and yeah, I totally forgot about Murphy's name. that would have been another good one to include. (Murphy's law)

@colbyentzminger217 Жыл бұрын

I saw dune and KOTOR, so I clicked.

@wrestlingwithwords Жыл бұрын

That is super helpful to know. I’m still learning “the art” of thumbnails…. Thank you for commenting 😁.

@mageprometheus Жыл бұрын

Thanks. Another step forward in my understanding. Baby steps are always the best.

@wrestlingwithwords Жыл бұрын

Couldn't agree more!

@jayexcellence6898 29 күн бұрын

As for me, most of the time when I write, I don't have a point but only a story. It always amazes me how, along the story, the point builds itself to something even better. My mind has its own way of driving me into a mystery as I write along.

@garykotowski2622 3 ай бұрын

Hey, Cameron. This one pulled me out of some serious writers block. You straightened me out on a few things by hammering home some basic elements that I've forgotten. Thanks!

@wrestlingwithwords 3 ай бұрын

That is amazing! This is a series that I hope to revisit soon. I am so glad that I could help you.

@SUPPAcHERO Күн бұрын

One of my favorite theme is from spec ops: the line. Throughout the game, if you take your time, you realize how human the enemies are. I remember this one part where there are two guys talking, one asked for gum and how he likes to sits down in the middle of the night, listening to the wind, reminds him of peace. But these are the enemy and you can't progress without killing them. And throughout the game, your squadmate keeps telling you to stop, not the main character to stop, but you as a player to stop. These people you're killing would still be alive if you just stop. I never finished the game.

@Ang-gh3iy Жыл бұрын

Awesome video! Very helpful points. The Last of Us was so good.

@captainnolan5062 2 ай бұрын

Betrayal in Dune would be a theme, the motif would be the characters having their backs to the door (which recurs through the story).

@wrestlingwithwords 2 ай бұрын

Motifs are tricky.... Something can sometimes be both a motif and a theme. A motif is a feature or dominant idea in a story. Betrayal can be a reoccurring motif that echoes throughout a story, while not being a central theme that is explored. I don't think Dune is inherently about betrayal or profoundly explores betrayal. It's more of a literary feature of the story... thus being a motif. But how important are these terms? Ehhhh.... They can be if you are intentionally trying to use them or structure your story. But blending a motif with a theme, it's not the biggest deal haha. Either way, thank you for the comment and for watching :).

@MrinmayChakravarty-jf4nr Ай бұрын

Great job brother learn a lot about screenwriting

@scuffedchris 29 күн бұрын

theme is something most movies these days are missing lol

@15aia5 7 ай бұрын

Thank you and great video

@wrestlingwithwords 7 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

@thamashasamarasinghe3095 Жыл бұрын

Nice video and very good 👌

@wrestlingwithwords Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@angeldustASMR Жыл бұрын

nice video!

@wrestlingwithwords Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@captainnolan5062 2 ай бұрын

You should read "Story Genius: How to Use Brain Science to Go Beyond Outlining and Write a Riveting Novel (Before You Waste Three Years Writing 327 Pages That Go Nowhere)" - It tells you why we tell stories.

@wrestlingwithwords 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for the recommendation! I’ll check it out.

@MrinmayChakravarty-jf4nr Ай бұрын

Hello sir I want to ask were to get ideas for screenwriting

@wrestlingwithwords Ай бұрын

Read, watch films, play videos games, and practice telling stories! Do all of this from the perspective of a writer or a creator! Thank you for the question and for watching.