tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081149243355306964.post608837932395589233..comments2024-01-27T10:33:42.985-08:00Comments on Pen and Prose: DISCOVERING A BOOK'S THEMEShannon Hitchcock ~ Children's Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17700790987811297412noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081149243355306964.post-87062683611177536682013-07-11T13:03:42.762-07:002013-07-11T13:03:42.762-07:00Thanks, Lynn. I usually start with a rough outline...Thanks, Lynn. I usually start with a rough outline that has major plot points, but I always discover theme during the revision process. There are probably as many different ways to write a novel as there are novelists!Shannon Hitchcockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17995777154718933415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081149243355306964.post-64501459699375819982013-07-11T13:01:28.382-07:002013-07-11T13:01:28.382-07:00Mirka, I agree with you that young readers are loo...Mirka, I agree with you that young readers are looking for plot points, but the editor I was chatting with was looking for more and at the time of the conversation theme hadn't gelled for me yet.Shannon Hitchcockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17995777154718933415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081149243355306964.post-73899663348685409322013-07-11T12:56:28.587-07:002013-07-11T12:56:28.587-07:00I think readers are always surprised when they fin...I think readers are always surprised when they find out that writers don't always know what direction their book is going or what the underlying theme is, when they start the book. That's one of the things I love about writing...it's true even for my nonfiction. Sometimes what comes out surprises even me. Can't wait to hear more about Carolina Girls. Love the line about courage.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02800009403433955216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081149243355306964.post-29254095851080873382013-07-11T09:16:43.185-07:002013-07-11T09:16:43.185-07:00Saying Jessie Pearl is about Tuberculosis is like ...Saying Jessie Pearl is about Tuberculosis is like saying my MG is about war. Books are about a hero's journey, and TB or war are vehicles or mile posts.<br />However, young readers, when asking what a book is about, are in fact asking about plot elements and not themes. Mirka Breenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00653086859905415156noreply@blogger.com