Themes/Morals - Importance?

[Chakra Wizard]

Yeah, basically, I'm asking how much significance a story's message has when you write it (this is directed to OF writers and aspiring authors, obviouslyxd). Like, everyone hears about how critics praise the themes of a book or a film or how they might call it "mindless" if its theme isn't very clear and it just looks like it's flying all over the place, so to speak. Personally, I don't really think about the message of a story until I've already made it halfway through developing it, but how about you guys?

 

[Narubro]

Pretty important. Without a theme, the protagonist has no purpose. As human beings searching for purpose, we tend to gravitate and enjoy hearing about/seeing/reading about characters who have their purpose (not only a purpose but a badass purpose). It helps connect with the audience.

 

[Germanicus]

Subject matter is the highest measure of importance, period. There's a reason the classics are considered classics. 1984, Crime and Punishment, etc.

A story with simple themes can be entertaining at best, something that holds people's attention for a few years then gets tossed aside. A work with a comprehensive subject matter becomes eternal.

Message is the first and last guideline I force myself to adhere to when writing.

 

[Vilvake]

If you have a strong storyline, I think a theme would naturally develop.

For example: Pretend you decided to write about a guy who trekked through the depths of hell, fighting demons and conquering fields of fire the whole way, in order to save someone's soul. The theme "never give up, no matter how insurmountable the odds may be" would likely come across.

As long as your characters have clear motives and your plot has strong conflict, themes will develop. So, I'm not sure how important it is to have one in mind as you write. Unless, of course, you have a specific theme you want to share with the reader; then, you would likely craft your plot in a way that highlights it.

If you wrote a book that has no themes, then that isn't your biggest problem. Your biggest problem is that your story is sh*t.

 

[Chakra Wizard]

If you have a strong storyline, I think a theme would naturally develop.

For example: Pretend you decided to write about a guy who trekked through the depths of hell, fighting demons and conquering fields of fire the whole way, in order to save someone's soul. The theme "never give up, no matter how insurmountable the odds may be" would likely come across.

As long as your characters have clear motives and your plot has strong conflict, themes will develop. So, I'm not sure how important it is to have one in mind as you write. Unless, of course, you have a specific theme you want to share with the reader; then, you would likely craft your plot in a way that highlights it.

If you wrote a book that has no themes, then that isn't your biggest problem. Your biggest problem is that your story is sh*t.

Hmmm, ...why do I get the feeling you've been reading my Hellhound OF recently? XD

 

[Vilvake]

Hmmm, ...why do I get the feeling you've been reading my Hellhound OF recently? XD

To be honest, I'd never even heard of it. Can anybody in your story come back to life after they die? If so, I may have to scrap a story idea I have lol

 

[Chakra Wizard]

To be honest, I'd never even heard of it. Can anybody in your story come back to life after they die? If so, I may have to scrap a story idea I have lol

Nope, you're in the clear=D XD