 Drama: April 27, 2022 Issue [#11317] |
This week: Linking Characters to Theme Edited by: Joy  
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“People evolve first and systems later.”
Sukant Ratnakar, Quantraz
“Rule 1: Each scene must advance the plot and the characters, but more importantly, the plot and characters must advance the theme.
Rule 2: Do not be obvious about rule 1.”
Ken Goudsward
“For me, not knowing your theme until your finished is like using a scalpel to turn a kangaroo into Miss Universe – there will be a lot of deep cuts, and there’s a high chance it won’t work.”
David G. Allen
“But my philosophy is that plot advancement is not what the experience of reading fiction is about. If all we care about is advancing the plot, why read novels? We can just read Cliffs Notes.”
George R.R. Martin
Hello, I am Joy , this week's drama editor. This issue is aboutconnecting your characters to your story's theme.
Thank you for reading our newsletters and for supplying the editors with feedback and encouragement.
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Welcome to the Drama newsletter
After characterization, the three most important elements of a story are the theme, plot, and conflict. As we all know, the theme is the common idea or maybe moral that runs and lurks repeatedly throughout the story; conflict, internal or external, is the struggle between two opposing forces or characters; and plot is narrative organizations of interrelated actions.
Connecting all the elements well and believably takes some doing and most of the work falls on the shoulders of the characters and, to a degree, you the writer. As a general rule, evolving your characters throughout the story usually links them successfully to the other elements
Then, finding the plot points in your story (check "Drama Newsletter (March 2, 2022)" ) and linking your characters’ evolution, especially that of the main character, to those plot points will insure a good story. This is a very popular method of plotting screenplays, by the way.
In this editorial, however, I’d like to concentrate more on the connection of characters and theme.
When it comes to linking characters to the theme, your story will succeed better if the theme is unstated but is shown. This is because a strong theme makes itself known through the characters’ struggles, and accordingly, inside the plot itself. In other words, most strong themes show up spontaneously or subconsciously from the characters’ actions and reactions.
Next is making the characters’ relationships ebb and flow throughout the process of plotting. While some relationships can be more or less fixed, the changing and rechanging of primary relationships need that ebb and flow.
In addition, consider the underlying theme when a serious change takes place. This, again, has to do with linking the theme to the character’s arc. The question to ask here is, “Is this change timely?” Plus, in any genre, don’t instantly develop and write the first thing that should be the last.
For example, in the romance genre, the characters instantly falling in love with each other from the start doesn’t leave room for curiosity and narrative tension. At the same time, it does away with the proper introduction and development of the characters.
Think of Heathcliff and Catherine’s relationship in Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights. Heathcliff--found on the streets and taken in by Catherine’s father--is a rough but sensitive person. Catherine and Heathcliff share, after a few clashes, a powerful and passionate relationship until Catherine is made to marry another man, in step with the societal or familial structures of the era.
In any genre, it might be useful to ask what the main character’s internal conflict is right at the beginning. This is because, if you don’t know the theme exactly at the story’s conception, you’ll find it inside authentic characters who react in authentic ways to their trials and tribulations; and they usually act and react in accordance with their internal conflicts. Thus, when you know your characters thoroughly, you’ll find the theme.
In short, strong character development and progression is the key to a powerful theme. Starting with the inciting incident and possibly ending with the climax, the changes the character goes will define the theme. Then, keeping that flow between plot points as natural as you can will again insure a convincing connection between your characters and your theme.
May all your themes be rock-solid and your characterization captivating and powerful…
Until next time! 
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 This Issue's Tip: The most powerful scene in a story can be the one where the main character gains understanding of where he's been and toward where he's headed. This is a good place to show other unknown sides of the character.
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In Addition
Please, note that there are no rules in writing, but there are methods that work for most of us most of the time.
The ideas and suggestions in my articles and editorials have to do with those methods. You are always free to find your own way and/or alter the methods to your liking.
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