Like a Circle Going in a Circle

[cathschaffstump]

Tiffany Trent wrote a great journal entry about the ideas she keeps returning to as a writer. The idea fascinated me, so in the great tradition of ripping off another writer, I decided I might also elaborate on this theme.

I've written quite a few stories and some books over the years. Yes, many of them are staying hidden where they belong, but these are the things I find myself returning to over and over.

1. The abused kid who makes good. This young hero or heroine starts life in less than auspicious circumstances, perserveres, and comes through as a worthwhile person, if a little broken. Gee, I wonder where this theme comes from? In addition to trying to work out my own demons from a rotten childhood, I've read waaaayyyy too much Dickens, who was trying to do the same.

2. The character whose origins are not what they seem. More melodramatic action from Chuck Dickens coupled with my hope as a child that I was an abandoned alien or one of those Witch Mountain Kids.

3. The character reversal. I love it when characters have surprising depth, and they take off in a direction I didn't expect. It raises them above simplistic morality and makes them complicated.

4. The complimentary stalwart. If I can work a gentle big guy or a really decent sort into stories, I will. The story I'm working on sort of has one as the main character, even.

5. Witches and/or faerie godmothers. Much more interesting to me than princesses, I tend to tinker with themes of wisdom and age.

6. Folklore variations. I love doing research and learning about the myths and folklore of other cultures. This can be a good thing or a bad thing, because I have a tendency to insert knowledge to show off, rather than when it relates to the story.

7. Spunky YA and MG leads. You can almost always count on a funny, spunky kid heading up the cast in these kinds of books.

8. Literary reference. Read a lot. It's bound to happen.

What do you think you continue to write about and revisit? Why do you think you return to certain ideas and things?

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In closing, here's another wonderful, tongue in cheek muse reference from Sandy Ackers.

Catherine

Mirrored from Writer Tamago.