What do we mean when we talk about a story’s ‘theme’?

And why is understanding theme so important when writing a story?

Nearly everything I’ve ever read on the subject of ‘theme’ in relation to writing has felt either confusing or impractical.

What does theme mean? How should we understand it? How can we use it in our writing?

The ironic thing is theme is incredibly important:

• Important in helping us find the focus of our story.
• Important in mining the story’s emotional and psychological depth.
• Important in elevating the impact of the events that transpire in our story.

That is why I created Core VII: Theme. And starting today, I will be teaching this unique one-week online screenwriting class.

The course, one of eight Core writing theory courses I have created, consists of six lectures I wrote, 24/7 message board discussions, insider tips, and an optional writing exercise to workshop one of your stories. All of those you can do on your own time, everything from downloading and reading lectures to posting comments.

Day 1: What is Theme?
Day 2: Theme as Expansion
Day 3: Theme as Focus
Day 4: Talismans
Day 5: Motifs
Day 6: Moments

There is also a 90-minute teleconference between class participants and myself where we discuss the course content and anything writing related.

In this course:

• You will learn a coherent take on theme, how it relates to the overall story, and tips on how to weave thematic material into your scripts.
• You can put to use what you have learned by workshopping one of your own stories.

Scripts we will study in the class: The King’s Speech, The Silence of the Lambs, Tootsie, The Shawshank Redemption, Bull Durham, As Good As It Gets, The Dark Knight, The Social Network among others.

When I introduced this class, the response from participants was hugely favorable, the major sentiment that this approach to theme not only clears up a confusing subject, but also provides practical tools a writer can use to work with themes in their own stories. Like this testimonial:

Your “Theme” class for writers is not just helpful, it is essential. From the personal attention to the numerous “A-Ha!” moments throughout the class, I was thrilled to simply KEEP LEARNING. How many teachers can boast about that with their students?

— Heather Thompson

So sign up now for the class which begins today, November 30!

I look forward to the opportunity to work with you!