How many writers out there have skipped over theme due to lack of understanding? Here is a basic level understanding to help you include theme within every story you write to help you write a story people will want to read.

Define Theme



The central idea of the story is conveyed through its theme. When we define theme, keep in mind that it differs from the story’s plot, which is the series of events under which the story unfolds. Theme is also different from the moral, which is the lesson the main character learns from the story. However, the plot illustrates the theme and the moral relates to the story theme element.



One or Multiple Themes

Typically, short stories have one theme and novels have multiple themes. The story theme element is woven all the way through the story, and the characters’ actions, interactions, and motivations all reflect the story’s theme. When you write a story, you should carefully consider what your element is.

Develop Your Theme



One method you can use when you write a story theme element from the beginning is to ask yourself what you are trying to convey through your characters, events, and lessons within your story.

If you have already written a story without considering the story theme element, review your pages and determine if there might be a common thread. If there is a marginal theme, adjust the rest of your story around the newfound theme. When you define theme at the onset, it could be the difference between your writing work submission ending up in the round file or on a literary agent’s desk.


- lesley jackson

its when the guy james bond talking talking to is behind a desk holding a gun and you see flashes of (in black and white) of james bond beating up some one in a bath room.Its near the beginning. And there talking about how he killed the other man. This is before james becomes a double o. Help i need to know the name of actor who played him or the characters name.
- D A

This was a story in a book I read as a young teen. It was a book of short ghost stories by various authors, maybe a Scholastic paperback. In the story, someone finds an old letter in a secret compartment of an old desk. They go to the address on the letter, but it isn’t there anymore. They go to the post office to try to find out more. I don’t know what ends up happening, but I was wondering if anyone knows the story, author, or a place where I could find out. Thanks!
- moonbather1971

Before I attempted to write this issue, I was sitting at my desk at work board out of my skull. I sat there with a notebook in front of me pen at the ready. You see, we had no work to do. Normally when that happens I whip out my journal and attempt an article before the work comes in. So, I am sitting at my desk flipping the pen through my fingers trying to engage my brain eyes glazed over and nothing happens. Then the lines in my notebook began to blur. I am sitting there in a silent panic screaming in my head. OMG I CAN’T THINK OF WHAT TO WRITE!

What did I do?

I got up and headed to the common area. I needed to jump start my brain cells. It doesn’t look good to the boss if your head hits the monitor. So, I’m on a mission for coffee. I needed the caffeine to ignite the currents moving in my head. As I make the coffee, I am running off a check list in my mind.

1.       Classifieds? Check.

2.       Guest Articles? Check.

3.       Tip of the week?

4.       Sponsor ads? Check.

5.       Research? Check.

6.       Off Beat Section? Check.

Now, what about the tip of the week? I really had no idea how I was going to write the article. Quite frankly I didn’t know if I even want to write it. So, I am sitting there waiting for the coffee to finish brewing and still no epiphany. Even though I am listening to my co-workers banter good-naturedly, still nothing zip zilch. It’s not break time yet but I stay in the common area (Kitchen) to get my coffee.

Well, Steph; you say. What else? What in the world did you do? Well, I decided to map out this current issue. I know it doesn’t sound very dynamic but that’s what I did. To start with, anything having to do with a newsletter you always plan the issue first. I wanted to get everything else in order. Hence, the little check list in my head. I found a few things that needed attention. After that I drank my coffee at my desk, I went outside for break time. I said to myself, self you need a good brisk walk. I took a walk and went trolling around the drug stores. I needed a snack. Discounts are your friend.

Next, I sat at my desk and started the first sentence of the Tip of the Week. You see, even though I had the material I still couldn’t formulate the proper phrasing. I couldn’t call to mind what where and why of the article. Also, there were so many concerns I had. Am I offending anyone? Am I getting my point across with out going off on tangents- that sort of thing? So when lunch came around I found that I needed another walk and I decided to troll around the Music store. That was a real treat. I then realized I needed to do an outline of what I was writing. As I tooled around the music store, I said to myself, self what is so special about link Referral? Why should people; my fellow business people start using their services? What are the benefits? Where can they find further information? Why can I say that this method is the best course of action?

After that little self interrogation, I then wrote down the answers to the questions. Then I decided to listen to my co-workers banter back and forth again. Then it hit me. The reason why I wasn’t able to prepare for the tip of the week was that I didn’t listen to the atmosphere around me. I didn’t pay attention to everything else. What do I mean? Well, I needed to have some coffee. So I went to the common area right? Right. I listened to my co-workers. Sometimes I have found that most of your epiphanies come from what a person said in another conversation or in an email. Sometimes keywords just jump out at you.

Also, recall that I went out for break time to tool around the drug store for low price snacks. Why? I needed to feed my brain. When I am hungry I cannot formulate an intelligent thought even if it hit me in the face. So I had crackers with peanut butter. That is very good with coffee. That is how I was able to start the first sentence of the Article I was writing. At lunch time however, I had a little patty called an empanada. It had chicken in it with potato and some spices. Anyway, I was in the music store trolling around. That is how I came to interrogate myself on how the Tip of The Week should be written.

I did my research as well. I decided to tool around the Link Referral website one more time. I also checked to see if I put the snippet of HTML code on my site. Research is very essential to a person’s arsenal of knowledge. It reinforces your awareness to what is going on. What is the Point of this Off Beat Article? How I overcame writer’s block. A few things to consider:

1. Have a good Breakfast. Feed your Brain.

2. Coffee or tea is a good start to jump your brain cells.

3. Go outside and get some air. A good brisk walk makes the difference.

4. Take a look at the things happening around you. You might be surprised at how non committal things can help you write your true article. People are especially helpful even if they don’t know what you do. People are far more entertaining and interesting than anything else.

5. Eat a good lunch. Feed your brain with food and you find you can think beyond one sentence.

6. Do research before you attempt to write about anything of significance? I am still doing my best to practice the same thing.


- Stephanie Fulcher