I'm so glad you mentioned theme and symbolism, I've been going on a tear learning about theme and all, and I honestly think it's a the most important aspect of story, after meeting the bar of being entertaining.
Hard to disagree! What I love about theme is that so many authors will admit to never even thinking about theme. That it kind of just happens over the course of telling the story. At the same time, I've never heard of a writer beginning a story with a theme in mind, or setting out to impart a theme. It's almost like it's the subconscious of the story, working its way in from the subconscious of the author.
I'm so glad you mentioned theme and symbolism, I've been going on a tear learning about theme and all, and I honestly think it's a the most important aspect of story, after meeting the bar of being entertaining.
Hard to disagree! What I love about theme is that so many authors will admit to never even thinking about theme. That it kind of just happens over the course of telling the story. At the same time, I've never heard of a writer beginning a story with a theme in mind, or setting out to impart a theme. It's almost like it's the subconscious of the story, working its way in from the subconscious of the author.