ENGLISH ARTICLE
Hallo and welcome to this new lesson from Scrittissimo. Today I want to explain a little known topic but absolutely essential to make your Story works better, that is the Thematic Message.
But before starting this lesson there’s something I want to tell you. This article is the translation in English language of another article written by myself in Italian and titled: “Il Messaggio Tematico – cosa è e a cosa serve”.
So I do apologize in advance for any translation error, for any English grammar error and for any syntax error.
So, let’s go forward with this lesson! 🙂
What is the Thematic Message?
The Thematic Message is the teaching the Writer wants to transmit through his/her work. There is no limit to the typology of message that can be communicated to the Reader. It can be a suggestion, an idea, an advise, a proposal or a warning. And there is no limit to the Tone of this message. It can be universal, idealistic, ironic, bizarre, comic, severe, terrifying, controversial and so on.
Indeed, you could even insert two or even three of them, depending on the extension of the Story, the number of Narrative Lines present in it, the type of content and the general purposes of the Story!
However, there is only one limitation which concerns the freedom of expression of the Thematic Message! The only true rule that I advise you to observe is that it always has to be morally acceptable!
Therefore it has not to be violent, offensive or discriminatory towards people, things, animals, religions, associations, institutions, etc.
Now that you have discovered what is a Thematic Message, you are probably wondering:
is it really so essential to transmit to the Reader a thought or an idea? Wouldn’t be easier to write a good Story and that’s enough?
Well, probably it’s like that!
However, the history of fiction and literature suggests the opposite. The works remained stainless and memorable – despite the lapse of time – are those that have left in the Reader an unexpected emotional imprint, a new way to interprete and understand a certain topic, a reason to reflect on something never considered before.
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But the advantage the Thematic Message can bring with it doesn’t only consist to a long-term benefit for the Reader. It can become a huge technical advantage also in favor of the Writer!
If, for example, I want to communicate to my readers that “dogs are the best friends of human people” – I have already “written” a good part of my story!
That is, I have already established the contents of the Story, the characteristics of the Narrative Conflict, the typology of the characters and even how the events could take place in the Final Equilibrium!
So to plan roughly the content of the Thematic Message – since the writing of the First Draft – minimizes the possibility of going off topic and maintains the direction that the Story must respect!
That’s all for today.
See you soon on the next lesson on Scrittissimo.
Bye Bye
Simona
Author & Admin of SCRITTISSIMO: ideas, techniques and tips to write a Novel, a Tale, a Story.