What themes, setting, motifs, scenes, or other elements do you find reoccurring in your work?
Interesting how almost all us writers "write what we know" even when we aren't trying to...or maybe, more accurately, we write what we "want", "need", are "emotionally attached to" or "think is important."
Admitting this up front, feel free to go all Freudian on the repeated motifs I've noticed in my four books:
Midwestern settings- (know and emotionally attached to)
Protags with some experience dating- (think it's important to avoid cliche of the beautiful protag who's self-conscious about her looks and/or a total innocent)
Dating Around- (think it's important and more realistic for teens to explore options instead of being overwhelmed by one "perfect" and "everlasting" love...though, in the end, my protag only has one strong emotional connection with one guy.)
Quiet, deep, starving artist type side character- (want-ed to date this guy, but never did)
Wild girl side character- (emotionally attached to all my wild friends who provide contrasting viewpoints to my own life and my protag's lives)
Plot/character arcs that are more exploratory than goal driven- (exposes my need to understand comercial fiction plots better :)
I'm sure there are more...things Freud would have a hayday with...but these are the ones that stick out to me most.
What about you? Any repetitions you see in your own work or others?
LOL, love the Freudian twist. :)
ReplyDelete"Plot/character arcs that are more exploratory than goal driven- (exposes my need to understand comercial fiction plots better..."
ReplyDeleteYES! This is so totally me too. And yes... we write what we know, sometimes whether we're trying to or not. :)
I love my wild girl side characters! They really are great for contrast. Great list!
ReplyDeleteI def. notice trends and themes in my writing. Mysteries, secrets, and lies. A char. struggling with some sort of family issue. And hard choices. That's what I like to read too.
ReplyDeleteAhh the starving artist boy... I love 'em! Your take on this was so fun!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm with you and Katy on that one---sometimes I think about my book and have to say, "Um. NOTHING happens." Gah.
"(think it's important to avoid cliche of the beautiful protag who's self-conscious about her looks and/or a total innocent)"
ReplyDeleteAmen, sister!
"Midwestern settings- (know and emotional attached to)" Same here! I manage to bring some part of every book back to the Midwest.
ReplyDeleteI totally have a few Freudians in my repertoire and just recently realized it. Sometimes it's about working through an issue too i think.
ReplyDelete"I think it's important and more realistic for teens to explore options instead of being overwhelmed by one "perfect" and "everlasting" love." I have to agree. I don't mind when a character has a crush as her one and only focus, but I like when she knows he won't be the last boy she'll ever date. Or they don't fall in love after a week. I think being realistic about expectations is a nice change.
ReplyDeleteI like your take on YA romance. Far too many novels focus on a fantasy love that you just know is going to fall apart, if it were real, that is. Relationships in YA need to be more realistic so teens don't expect fantasy romance in real life.
ReplyDeleteI've dated the starving artist guy. You can have him. That's one character that I'd prefer the fantasy!
ReplyDeleteWow, you're writing sounds awesome! You're attached to some good things. I especially love the quiet, deep, starving artist, and your twists on romance are so creative. :)
ReplyDeleteLove the wild girl side character! I have those to complement my MCs!
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