I love this insight from Laura Oliver on the writing life, in a post called “Territory.” She discusses the themes that can permeate our writing, sometimes over a lifetime. (I’ve also heard this phenomenon called one’s “ultimate life concern.”)
Here’s a snippet:
Most writers have a territory they explore for a time—perhaps an entire career. It is the theme, subject, or question that predominates their work. It might be a belief they hold—love triumphs over all, everyone lies—and it might appear as a question, not an assertion. … This kind of revisiting makes possible a remarkable intensity of observation, which in turn can elevate work to a higher plane. What many writers find is that intense contemplation of a single theme gives a freshness and individuality to each story even when the subjects are similar.
Go read the full piece in the latest Glimmer Train bulletin. Or view the entire bulletin.
Jane Friedman has spent her entire career working in the publishing industry, with a focus on business reporting and author education. Established in 2015, her newsletter The Bottom Line provides nuanced market intelligence to thousands of authors and industry professionals; in 2023, she was named Publishing Commentator of the Year by Digital Book World.
Jane’s expertise regularly features in major media outlets such as The New York Times, The Atlantic, NPR, The Today Show, Wired, The Guardian, Fox News, and BBC. Her book, The Business of Being a Writer, Second Edition (The University of Chicago Press), is used as a classroom text by many writing and publishing degree programs. She reaches thousands through speaking engagements and workshops at diverse venues worldwide, including NYU’s Advanced Publishing Institute, Frankfurt Book Fair, and numerous MFA programs.
I’ve definitely found a territory to explore in my writing. It is both physical and thematic. For my Brands Crossing Series I’ve created a small town in north Texas and populated it with characters who will appear in all the books in the series. Thematically, I am dealing with family connections and the power they have over the characters behavior.
The most important thing I ever learned about setting (or physical environments) is that the best ones are as complex and intimate to the story as the characters.
Very interesting. The two screenplays that I am struggling to finish both have the same theme and it was not intentional. The third story I am thinking about is forming into that direction. I thought I might be doing something wrong by letting the same theme creep in. So glad that I read it isn´t so. Also I watched Peter Jackson’s interview where he said that he admired Stephen King for being brave to explore the dark side of the human mind. I guess I am in good company. So I have been inspired two times in 24 hours. I guess I need to finish the stories.
Let me offer further reassurance: Definitely not doing a thing wrong. 🙂
I am thrilled to have read this. I actually have two “territories”: sleepwalking through one’s life, and fear of being alone. I’m excited to think that, by focusing on them, I may bring “freshness and individuality” to them. Thanks for a motivating post.
Thanks, Lynne. Appreciate you sharing your territories with us. 🙂