How to Plot A Novel With A Central Theme and Story Problem

We must have a theme, a goal, a purpose in our lives. If you don’t know where you’re aiming, you don’t have a goal. ~ Mary Kay Ash

Substitute the word “books” for “lives” in the above quote. Without a clear theme a book wanders without purpose through its settings. It might entertain, but it won’t linger on in the reader’s memory or impart anything of lasting value. A good theme will resonate with readers as it drives your plot. First identify your story problem, and then draw out the greater question behind it. That question is your central theme.

A story problem consists of the following elements:

Desire: What does your main character want? This desire drives the plot toward a specific goal.
Problem: A shift or change in your protagonist’s life causes interference in obtaining the desired goal. To raise the stakes, have this shift drive your protagonist toward his or her greatest fear.
Cost or risk: What will the solution cost? What are the risks?
Solution: How will your story resolve? Will your main character realize his or her goal — or not?

Examples:

Story Problem: A grieving widow longs to find happiness again (desire). When a suitor presses her with his attentions (problem), she must let go of the past (cost or risk) in order to realize her goal (solution).
Theme: Is it possible to find happiness by letting go of the past?

Story Problem: A teenage boy whose father was murdered wants to make sense out of his father’s death (desire). When he discovers the identity of his father’s killer (problem), he must set aside his desire to seek revenge (cost or risk) in order to forgive (solution).
Theme: Does revenge make sense of murder?

Story Problem: A young girl who wants to fit in (desire) encounters a bully in a new school (problem). When she faces her fear and confronts the bully (cost or risk), she discovers the bully’s cowardace and gains the respect of her classmates (solution).
Theme: When facing our fears diminish them?

Action Step

Identify the burning message you want your story to convey. Once you do, it’s pretty easy to find your story problem. Give some thought to the greater question you will answer. State it, and you’ll have found your theme. As a bonus, you can use your story problem as the foundation for your pitch sentence.

What’s the story problem and theme of your current work(s)-in-progress?

Photo credit: Lisa Solonynko

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Lucy Morgan-Jones

Great post

My story problem and theme of your current work(s)-in-progress?

Problem: A young widow who was terribly abused hopes to find safety(desire) as a mail order bride. The man she marries has 3 other brothers-which does not help her fear of men.(problem). When her past catches up with her, she runs, only to be caught by her caring husband(cost or risk), she discovers that the center of God’s will is the safest place and she is free to enjoy her future with Beau. (solution).

Theme: A past of mistakes and/ abuse does not define who we are today. Women have worth and deserve to be treated with respect.
- http://janalynvoigt.com Janalyn Voigt
  
  Lucy, your novel sounds like a beautiful story about the power of love. If I may, I’d like to comment on your summary.
  
  I’m having a hard time accepting that an abused woman would seek safety in such a risky venture. You might consider giving her another motivation for becoming a mail-order bride like financial concerns or the need to escape from an abusive situation (perhaps from an employer). She can still have the hidden desire to find safety in the arms of love. I’m intrigued that her past catches up with her. If you draw your pitch sentence from this little exercise, consider adding a few more juicy details about that. While her husband catching up with her triggers her to take a risk or pay a cost, it isn’t the risk or cost itself. I believe her risk in your story is trusting in her husband’s and God’s love. That’s a huge risk for an abused woman. Another piece of the story might be her forgiving the abuser(s) in her past. Then you would have reconciliation to God’s love as your central theme and a secondary theme of forgiveness.
  
  Thanks for sharing about your work-in-progress.
http://janalynvoigt.com Janalyn Voigt

I’m glad to know that, Patricia. Much success in your plotting.
http://Patricia-Anne-McGoldrick.com Patricia

This is just what I needed! Thanks!