Writing - Themes

If you are serious about writing and intend to produce more than one story, you are allowing yourself to develop ongoing themes running throughout your work. 

 

 

The type of theme you decide upon determines in some degree the flavour of your work. In the Steele novels, one of my important themes was the link to Japan. This was important because it went towards the development of the hero's personality and skills. So the supporting details of the Yakuza and it's history is reiterated in parts across all of the Steele stories. 

The Japan connection is important, but there are other, less important but almost as continuous throughout the books. I have used other strands to establish relationships and to change the direction in which the story is moving. 

Early in Patrick Steele's adventures, I decided that a relationship with the local police could add a little spice to the progress of each adventure. On top of that, a personal relationship worms its way into the fabric of the tale while Steele is between Japanese girlfriends. There are also hints towards police dishonesty that flit around one of the stories. 

A final example is that of the mother figure for the hero. This is important due to Steele's unfortunate upbringing, but that introduces a level of stability in all of the stories. 

The examples given are a brief taste of what stories contain but they demonstrate the way Steele is structured. 

God Bless