When I began writing The Adventures of Zelda, I had no theme in mind. I knew I had a story to tell, but I didn’t know where the story would go or what readers could learn from a pug named Zelda. As the first book came to life, themes and messages began seeping through the pages. Zelda’s first book is a story of a new beginning- a second chance. In the background of Zelda’s adventures and humorous endeavors is a story of love, family, and friendship.
As an example, let’s take Zelda’s encounter with Vacuum in chapter three of The Adventures of Zelda: A Pug Tale. In the chapter, Zelda perceives Vacuum as a threat to her home and to Hannah. Zelda knows she has to take action and so she manages to rip off Vacuum’s arm and hide it in the basement. Zelda’s love for her family drives her to take action against Vacuum.
When I started writing the vacuum chapter, I had no idea this sort of message would seep through the words. I just wanted to tell a funny story about a pug and a vacuum. A good story can become great when a writer manages to insert themes and messages behind the story (intentionally or unintentionally).
I think most writers are like me. (But I could be completely off base). We write a story and as the story comes to fruition, themes begin to infiltrate the pages. The story takes a turn and forgiveness becomes important in the novel even though it was never in the outline.
For the writers out there, do you write with theme in mind?
For the readers, what themes do you see often in the books you read?
What theme spoke to you when you read the Adventures of Zelda?
