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Hey, Reader,

A good story is more than words and action.

It’s also what the story is trying to say about the subject. That’s known as THEME. It's also about the GENRE you choose as the House for your story. Or sometimes, as your story chooses for itself.

Let’s take this in two parts.

Many consider the THEME to be a story's basic moral or message. It’s often the writer’s point of view or the subject they choose to explore.

Either way, you use the characters and circumstances to demonstrate or examine a belief or way of life.

Some of the most common themes are …

Love

Redemption

Coming of age

Revenge

Death

Then there’s the Genre.

The most familiar ones in literature and entertainment are …

Mystery

Romance

Sci-fi

Horror

Action-Adventure

You could choose to explore or examine themes like: What do we believe in? Or man's inhumanity to man. Or the nature of relations between parents and children.

How you choose to examine those themes or tell the story falls into the genre chalice, and there will be certain subtle or dramatic differences depending on which you choose.

The elements you use to explore faith and trust in a romance or a drama differ if you explore those same themes in a supernatural tale.

Knowing what you’re trying to say with your story (Theme) can help you fine-tune and focus on the conflict, action, dialog, etc.

Knowing your Genre can help set the mood, tone, or storytelling style.

Sometimes, you’ll discover these things before you write the script; sometimes, you’ll discover them after you finish your first draft.

Either way, look for them and use them to better your storytelling ability.

If you do, you’ll find it easier to set the pacing for your suspense, dramatic twists, mood, and the more authentic decisions your character will have to make.

If you don't, you risk creating redundant or predictable plots, lackluster dialog, and stereotypical characters.

Here’s another tip. Check out my podcast Tell The Damn Story. Episode 312 provides great insight into exploring and choosing genres and character names.

In some other episodes, co-host Chris Ryan and I often discuss these topics with writers from different backgrounds and genres. And, of course, we share creative tips and techniques from our over 30 years in the business.

We’re on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and six other stations.

Give a listen and leave any questions you may have in the comments section.

Speaking of questions, if you have any about how to plot and pull off a mystery story, join my WRITE THE CRIME CHALLENGE: DEAD AT DAWN!

It’s a five-part master class on how to plot crooks, crime, and clues. Coming June 1st.

​Click here to join the gang uh … challenge.
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A Bonus Simmons Says Tips -

Be kind to your Mind. Being afraid to write the first line, chapter, or scene can place a huge amount of pressure on creatives. That pressure can prevent you from coming up with the text you want. So give yourself permission to write it sloppy, messy, and awkward --- to start. Give yourself permission to PLAY creatively.

Best,

Alex Simmons

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