Letters and Imagination: Mastering the Art of Writing

Message

Understanding the message of a book is essential for writers, as it forms the core of their narrative and adds depth and purpose to their work. The message of a book captures the central theme or moral lesson that the author intends to convey to the reader. It serves as the literary compass guiding the plot, characters, and overall direction of the story. Without a clear message, a book risks becoming a disjointed collection of events and characters lacking structure.

Identifying the message of a book is similar to uncovering its soul. It is the underlying philosophy or commentary on human nature, society, or the human condition that the author wishes to share. This message can take various forms, such as a call for social change, a reflection on the consequences of certain actions, or an exploration of timeless questions about life and existence. For instance, in my book Home, the message is that all children deserve and must have a home.

Knowing the message of their book is vital because it provides you with a clear purpose and direction. It helps you craft well-defined characters, intricate plots, and meaningful dialogue that serve to reinforce and convey the message. Furthermore, a clear message allows authors to engage with their readers on a profound level, sparking intellectual and emotional connections. Most readers are drawn to books that resonate with their own beliefs, challenge their perspectives, or offer insights into the human experience.

The presence and clarity of a message in a book can vary widely depending on the author's intent, genre, and style of writing. Some books are explicitly written to convey a specific message or moral lesson. Other books do not have a clear, overt message, but they often contain themes or underlying ideas that may not be explicitly stated. They often delve into complex themes like human nature, love, or the human condition without presenting a straightforward message. Authors have diverse motivations, and not all of them set out to convey a message. Some may write to explore their own emotions, tell a compelling story, or simply entertain readers, but their books still contain a specific theme or a set of them.

Not enough emphasis can be placed on the importance of a writer keeping their book's theme(s) in mind while writing. Themes provide a unifying thread that ties together various elements of a story, including characters, plot, and settings. When an author maintains a clear awareness of the theme, it helps ensure that the story remains cohesive and focused. Themes influence characters' motivations, beliefs, and actions. By keeping the theme in mind, writers can ensure that characters' development takes place in their story.

Themes guide the plot's direction and progression. They help authors make choices about which events and conflicts to include or exclude, ensuring that each element of the story serves a purpose related to the theme. Authors who are conscious of their book's theme can craft a narrative that effectively conveys their intended message or commentary on various subjects. This clarity ensures that readers can grasp the underlying ideas without confusion. So, open your notebook and write a list of themes for your book. Also, don't be shocked when another theme appears as you write – add it to the list.

I like to categorise themes into two categories: Main themes and hidden themes. The main theme(s) is the core subject or principle around which the plot, characters, and narrative elements revolve. Most readers can identify the main theme(s) of a book after reading. A hidden theme, also called a subtheme, refers to a secondary or underlying theme that is subtle and may not be immediately apparent on the surface. Most readers do not notice these and would be pleasantly surprised if these themes are pointed out to them. As an example, I added a list of the main and hidden themes of my book Baby Steps in the Outro chapter.

The message(s) or theme(s) of a book can also be subjective and open to interpretation. What one reader takes away from a book may differ from another reader's perspective. The meaning readers find in a book can be influenced by their own experiences, beliefs, and values. The meaning and interpretation a reader extracts from a book can also differ from what the author expected them to. Therefore, it's important that authors be open-minded and accept that they can't control their readers' minds. If a reader does not see the message of your book, you wanted them to see then you have got to accept it.

In conclusion, understanding the message of a book is not just a matter of literary analysis but a profound aspect of the art of writing. So, as you embark on your writing journey, remember to keep your book's message(s) or theme(s) in mind, both the main and the hidden ones. Writers who grasp the significance of their book's message(s) or/and theme(s) can craft stories that not only entertain but also enlighten and provoke thought and emotions, leaving a lasting impression on their readers.