I'm so glad you found this post helpful. I think the terms theme and premise can be used interchangeably.
I think some writers have a theme in mind when they begin writing. They know what they want to say about how their story connects to the large and small aspects of the human condition. But some writers find that overwhelming at the start. I wouldn't want to shy anyone away from beginning to write a short story or novel because they didn't have the theme nailed down.
Your theme idea is so interesting: justice forbids consideration of wealth and rejects prejudice! Ideally, you'd want your main plot as well as the subplots to have some commentary on that theme, though the subplots can touch on it in a small way. Some writers like to use a subplot to show how ignoring the theme can have negative effects or impact people in an adverse way.
Hello, Jackie,
Thank you so much for such an excellent explanation.
I never connected the theme to the protagonist's inner arc.
And it confirmed what I thought my theme was.
However, I read (or misread?) somewhere that one should always use the theme while writing the novel.
How can it be if my theme is Justice forbids consideration of wealth and rejects prejudices? Especially when there are several threads and subplots?
Moreover, wouldn't the premise better answer what the novel is about?
In advance, thank you.
All the best,
Claude
Hi Claude,
I'm so glad you found this post helpful. I think the terms theme and premise can be used interchangeably.
I think some writers have a theme in mind when they begin writing. They know what they want to say about how their story connects to the large and small aspects of the human condition. But some writers find that overwhelming at the start. I wouldn't want to shy anyone away from beginning to write a short story or novel because they didn't have the theme nailed down.
Your theme idea is so interesting: justice forbids consideration of wealth and rejects prejudice! Ideally, you'd want your main plot as well as the subplots to have some commentary on that theme, though the subplots can touch on it in a small way. Some writers like to use a subplot to show how ignoring the theme can have negative effects or impact people in an adverse way.
Hello Jackie,
Fabulous.
Thank you so much for your answer.
As always, it is crystal clear and practical.
The subplot is a romance, so it doesn't address my theme.
However, each of my novel's two threads deals with each part of the theme.
If you allow me, you can explain the most complex notion(s) in an understandable, simple, and useable way.
I am delighted.
Have a wonderful week.
Claude