Writing and Themes · 11:04am Oct 14th, 2017
So, this blog post started off with a random thought that led into some interesting directions. I was thinking about some movies and stories I really liked and compared them to ones I didn’t, and trying to work out exactly why that was. That’s when I struck upon a simple question/challenge:
Without describing the events of the plot or the actions of the characters, what is this story about?
As I dove into it, I realized that whenever I had a story with a strong answer to that question, I tended to like it a lot more than if I struggled to answer it. (I was also pleased to find that I could answer that question nicely for most of my favorite stories that I’ve written, though part of that might be my insider perspective on what went into them.)
So, let’s work with that. Take a movie, book, play, video game, or other piece of literature or story that you like (or hate) and see if you can answer the above question. Share your results and thoughts in the comments below, and let’s see what discussions we can start.
I would have to say my mlst well-received story on the site, Apprentice, seems to revolve around forgiveness and letting go of the past. If not in the older, original chapters, then certainly in the rewrite I've been doing, it's more deliberate.
It's probably cheating to use this one since it spells it out for you towards the end, but Fallout: Equestria is about personal sacrifice. Sometimes, for the greater good, you must sacrifice that which you most desire. It's important to note that this is self sacrifice, not the "for the greater good" sacrifice of others that villains usually tote out. To sacrifice the lives of others is cruel and something we have no right to do. But to give of ourselves, especially when our reward is naught but the welfare of others, that is the virtuous sacrifice of a hero, perhaps even a savior. (Yes, I did just imply that Littlepip is a type of Christ. Trust me, the comparison is there.)
Another good example is found in Past Sins, with themes of being more than what you were born as (family heritage, race, poverty, etc) and breaking away from what's expected of you to become who you want to be. Many people feel trapped in their lives, either born or shoehorned into a particular role. It is possible to escape that role, to break free and be yourself and what you want to bee. It will be difficult, and you may face a large amount of opposition from people telling you who you are "supposed" to be, but it's worth every ounce of effort.
Getting away from MLP, let's take a look at the book and musical: Wicked. The media lies.
In addition to that, just about any story can be told from another perspective or twisted to seem good or bad. Don't blindly trust what others tell you about what happens; find out the facts, research the events, and search for the truth. You may be surprised by what you find.
Blatantly done in Project Horizons...
Hmmm. Well, I've been playing Destiny 2 a lot, and to answer the question, the game's about revenge and reclamation.
Let's see... for "In the Service of the Princess" the messages are that war is cruel and friendship isn't always magic. "Forward" is about second chances and moving past your mistakes. Other than that, my other stories were written just for fun with no clear message in mind.
The More Things Change is about responding to and dealing with change.
...I am not known for subtly.
This story is about learning to trust, and to fend for oneself in a world where you are not welcome. To fight for your right to exist, and not be looked down upon, regardless of ones birth or blood. A story about fear and love. Both fearing to love, and fearing what might come of said love.
The story I'm talking about is the Dark Magician trilogy by Trudi Canavan.
Strong themes are were it's at, but there's a real danger with being too heavy handed. Seems to happen when theme is pushed over everything else.
Something I think most people forget is that a theme can be expressed outside of the moral of the story (children's cartoon show) or high concept character motives (love, revenge, etc), but in little things like which metaphor to use in a scene, the little actions and choices characters make that on the surface seem to not mean anything but actually tell everything.
Huh...
I'd have to say personally my favorite, aside from your stuff, would have to be Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey (to the point I've begun noodling a crossover with your verse.)
Pretty much, its an allegory about returning to civilian life or leaving prison to rejoin society, and how sometimes, realizing home is not where you left it when you do return