Points to Ponder - Writing with Themes

Writing usually contains themes. Writing sometimes contains themes. Writing only contains themes because a reader places them there. Writers intend to put themes in their writing. Writers unintentionally put themes in their writing because they come through via human psyche.

Many of the above statements get tossed around the room repeatedly whenever writers or English majors congregate. As to which one is most correct, I cannot say.

The idea for this article is really just to try them all out. Try writing with a theme in mind; actively pursue to include the theme in your work. Try just writing about something and letting your mind do the theme-including for you.

You can never really know if writers intends to include a theme in their work unless you ask them, but in my experience there really isn't one way that's better than the rest.

Keep Writing. Never Stop

I just finished writing and editing my novel. Despite its not being yet published, I have already begun writing Book 2 for the series. I still have to pass around my manuscript to my editor friends and my writer friends for comment (the ones who offered, that is). I still have to contact a publisher or agent, but I've already started on book 2. If I take a hiatus who knows when I'll get back to it.

Keep writing. Set a goal for yourself and achieve it no matter what. My goal is to write three pieces, or pages, a week. I usually wind up writing way more, but if I skip it, I sometimes don't make up for it and I may go a month.

Luckily for me, I have writer friends who make sure I stay on track, and get me to keep them on track.

So far I'm happy with the progress.

Unstereotyping

Write down a list of some character archetypes. For example:

cheerleader
jock
kindergarten teacher
priest
fashion designer

Take these archetypes and make a list of some stereotypical characteristics of each one. If more than one general stereotype exists, pick one (e.g. mean Cheerleader vs. bubbly cheerleader). Next, list some places where each character might be found.

Cheerleader
Bubbly
Friendly
Naive
Promiscuous

School
Sports event
Party
Sorority

Once you've down this with each character pick two of them and place them both in one of their expected places. Begin writing the story with each character following their stereotype to the letter. Create an exception for one character; create an exception for the other, and wrap up the story.

Get Angry

Everyone rants about something. You might be mad because the line you were just in took so long or you might be filled with righteous anger over a cause you hold dear, but everyone gets angry about something.

Get angry. Rile yourself up over all the details and get really mad.

Then, just open up your ink-filled veins and write about it.

Rhyming Help

This may seem obvious to some, but if you want to rhyme - for whatever reason - get a rhyming dictionary or go to a rhyming dictionary website. Word of warning though, don't rely too heavily on this because it can be the poetic equivalent of writing an essay with a thesaurus at the ready. Rather than taking the time to reorganize thoughts, and rewrite, rewrite and then rewrite again, you may find yourself slipping into the rhyming dictionary all too often.

A rhyming dictionary can also be a great source of inspiration. Pick a word or two and compile a list of words. Then write a poem using as many of those words as possible. I used to do this all the time out of laziness and boredom. I rarely ended up with something I actually liked, but sometimes it spurred other ideas.

Here is one resulting poems I found surprisingly intriguing:

Beds
By: Devin PL Edwards

Still stuck in bed
In the morning with a dread
Of the coming day
Because the sun’s already fled
And left me in the dark instead
Of the light I was promised
For every shred of my soul I sold
To buy bread and even though I’m well-read
I’m pushed like a thoroughbred
That’s neck and neck for last place
I try to get ahead
But the disgrace I face
Has left my educated head in a difficult space
You know, the one between a rock and a hard place
But that overwhelming dread gracing the whole flock
Stems from widespread – growing but unsaid – intelligence
Of just how interbred, and crowded, is the marriage bed
Between the media and the ministry
The merchants and the military
The police and the policy
And
Just
How
Far
Away
All
The
People
Are


From all of it.

Poetry Review - Gangson

A few weeks ago, I was asked to review a poetry book written by a former professor of mine, Andy Weaver. Weaver is a Canadian Poet and a tremendous talent in literary culture. The published review of his book Gangson can be read on Excalibur's Site and despite a misleading headline -- which I did not write -- and some editing issues, the article is vaguely in line with my high opinion of his work. Weaver's publisher, NeWest Press, sells Gangson online. You can also find the book on Amazon, and a number of other online book stores.

Prism Magazine also reviewed Gangson a few days before I did. If you don't believe me, read the high praise all over again.

Make nice with friends, writers

Despite what movies show us about writers as lone wolves struggling with their genius and isolation, writers should be social animals. While some recent studies by York University have suggested that reading fiction can enhance social skills I believe the reverse is also true: enhancing personal skills can help you create better fiction. You can use your own interpersonal relationships as kindling for a creative flame. Just, for the sake of your friendships, don't turn your writing into gossip about your friends.

Also, if you have other friends into writing or creative projects try to group together to create. You can feed off each others creative juices.