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Welcome Back readers! Make sure to check out J.J. Devine's thoughts on theme if you haven't yet.

This week our blog topic is from the talented Ronnie Allen, author of Gemini. She wants to know about theme today and asks us:

What is a theme in your novel or reoccurring throughout a series that sends a message about an issue in society? Was it developed intensionally, or did it evolve through the characters and plot?

Ronnie struck fear into my heart.

Theme is a difficult subject for me. I never sit down with an idea for a piece of writing with a particular theme in mind. I fear, if I did have a particular theme in mind, I would force the writing to that theme instead of allowing the story to tell itself naturally.

I'll start with my genre: romance, of course. A general theme in my writing by default is that love conquers all or that there is someone for everyone (at least in my stories there is someone for everyone) despite some huge obstacles, like being an alien for instance, or keeping a bunch of secrets. I feel love is an obvious theme for a romance novel! I'm not sure how this would relate to society except that we can all use a little more love in our lives even when (or especially when) we feel alienated from others.

Is there another theme in my writing?

My Sixxer world is focused on the hidden among us, namely aliens living among humans trying to survive. A huge theme in this world is: The Illusion of Control.

In the Sixxer world, whether humans or Sixxers, each believes they have the upper hand. It's all an illusion, and one that comes crashing down on the characters frequently. I didn't do this on purpose. I believe this theme evolved naturally as I discovered the world my characters live in. It's probably because of the underlying issue that I always think I have control of the situation and then my toddler throws his dinner on the floor or runs off with my shoe. I'm not sure how this affects society but it certainly affects me when my illusion shatters.

Next on the hope is Xio Axelrod, author of The Calum. I'm curious what theme(s) she's identified in her work.

See you next week!