tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4864423579966406496.post7258413726848527350..comments2024-02-17T13:12:02.048-06:00Comments on Rockets and Dragons: Wasted Potential - Making the Most of a Workable IdeaStephanie Barrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17772217449161603561noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4864423579966406496.post-4061162873327735922011-05-28T08:13:22.153-05:002011-05-28T08:13:22.153-05:00You know, I think this is important enough I might...You know, I think this is important enough I might just write a side post about examples. I know a common theme that runs through all my novels is that who you are is much more important that what you are. But I have little things along the way, too. Tander learns things about responsibility along his way, including having something precious means you have something to lose. And turning your back on skills that can help you for pride is stupid. Layla learns sometimes she has to ask for help, etc. <br /><br />Every character that grows during the course of a novel has a story to tell and something to impart. Every relationship involves people who teach each other things (or the relationship isn't important and stagnates). <br /><br />An idea or premise of a story can set up a big thematic lesson, emphasize it or it can merely be a forum for messages to be built. I just think it helps to understand what the premise itself might suggest before you get started. <br /><br />And I also want to caution people. Sometimes, I think writers don't really appreciate the lessons they've unconsciously imparted with their work. If a writer wants to impart an intolerant or cynical message, there's nothing inherently wrong with that; I'm not sure that writers who do that even know they are. Like the rapist-embracing romance novelists, for instance.Stephanie Barrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17772217449161603561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4864423579966406496.post-59486008578096543822011-05-28T05:42:47.471-05:002011-05-28T05:42:47.471-05:00I think of it as a theme, not really a statement a...I think of it as a theme, not really a statement as much as a question. With my first novel--and with the novels which will be sequels to it, since I have a six-book series planned--I'm dealing with the ideas of destiny, belief, and knowledge. How can we know what we know? How can we be certain? Do we wait for absolute knowledge (if it even exists), or do we act even while we know we could be making a mistake? <br /><br />My current novel (#4) deals with speaking--is it a risk to speak, when even the act of speaking can do damage, or do we have to speak to truly live, even when what we communicate has the power to destroy? <br /><br />I find that my characters fall all along the spectrum of the question. And readers (and even I) do not have to agree with any of the characters, in the same way that very few readers would agree with Gulliver's behavior at the end of Gulliver's Travels. They might recognize their own tendencies, though, in the actions or words of a character or two. <br /><br />Fascinating post. Really got me thinking about my words and what I've been reading lately.Dr. Cheryl Carvajalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15323455180953109460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4864423579966406496.post-77098972806030680582011-05-27T16:17:31.665-05:002011-05-27T16:17:31.665-05:00Great read… really it was. You made me think a lot...Great read… really it was. You made me think a lot about what I am trying to say, your information was, and is, integral to my development as a writer.<br /><br />I appreciate your time and effort that you put into these “lessons” for lack of a better word; they do speak of issue all writers need to know.<br /><br />thxjeff kinghttp://authorsunion.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com