Copy Cat, Part 2
Monday, August 16, 2010 Question of the day: I have a follow-up question to your post on self-plagiarism: Does this apply to themes as well? For instance, when I consider the books that you’ve written, they all seem to revolve around a women who is forced to consider the choices in her life. Is this a conscious choice that you’ve made as an author?
This is an excellent question, and one that I've wrestled with myself. The conclusion I've come to is several-fold:
1) I think that there are only so many themes to be explored in books. What I mean by that is that all authors are waxing poetic about, I don't know, maybe ten different universal themes/truths - death, acceptance, regret, happiness, etc, and what makes each book distinctive is how the specific author tackles it. I mean, read the descriptions of many of the newly released books by your favorite author. Most of them may revolve around themes that we've heard before, but it's the approach that sets the book apart. And this is true for me too. For example, it's not like the idea of "what ifs" hadn't previously been explored, but I tried to put my own stamp on it in Time Of My Life.
2) I think that there is some truth in the idea that you should write what you know, at least when it comes to my own writing. For me, creating three-dimensional characters comes from having a real understanding of their lives, and thus, yes, I suppose that I write about women who face various crossroads. That's my map on which to draw. NONE of my characters' actions or circumstances reflect my own, but there is still an emotional connection that I have with them - one that comes from being a woman who has faced crossroads of her own. And for me, that's critical. Which isn't to say that, I don't know, I couldn't write a murder mystery or whatnot, but I don't know if, without that important connection, the book would be as strong or really, if I'd be as interested in writing it in the first place.
3) This isn't to say that I wouldn't like to try something new. I've thought about writing from the male perspective or tackling an entire book in the third person, thus exploring a few different psyches. But as I get older and encounter different obstacles - or watch my friends encounter different obstacles - I'll always have new material. Growing children, divorce, remarriage, empty nest, all of the things that women in my peer group have to face. So I do feel like I'll always have new takes on the same themes, and as long as I'm challenged, I hope that my readers will be satisfied.
What say you, readers? How important is it to you to tackle new themes OR is it more important that you write great books while still examining the same issues?
Reader Comments (9)
I always joke that you write one book, you find out what you are interested in. You write two and you find out what you should be talking to a therapist about. My books tend to revolve around looking at what happens in the wake of loss (and somewhat connected, self-regeneration) and it's a question I find infinitely fascinating. As long as I'm saying something new and fresh with each book, and adding to my exploration of that concept (and of course exploring other themes as well), and continually challenging myself,I don't consider it self-plagiarism.
I think marketing has to play a role in it as well, whether you want it to or not. If you're a novelist who is writing a book a year, there's a certain expectation from you not only from your publisher but also the reader. As a reader, I tend to pick up books by certain authors because they tackle certain themes. Their treatment of the subject is key, of course, but it's the theme that gets the interest in the first place.
I don't think it's an either/or. I think different authors do different things in this regard, and as a reader, once I figure out what type an author is, I can plan my reading habits around that. Maybe I love Author X, but he always writes Happily Ever After romances. If I'm in that kind of a mood, great. If not, I will just intersperse his books with others.
Or maybe I love Author Y, who writes about different things (sex, drugs, rock 'n' roll, whatever) but her novels all have the same structure. I could probably read several of hers in a row and not get bored of the varied subject matter, but I might tire of the predictable formula.
These are just two sides of the spectrum; there lies all sorts of books/authors in the middle. And there are pros and cons to all of them. I think readers understand that. Furthermore, people (including authors) change over time, so the themes they address may change too.
I think I would tend toward a new theme with each book but as I'm just finishing my first I can't say for sure. The notes I've started making for my next book are mostly dissimilar but - now that you've got me thinking about it - there is a kind of a similar thread I hadn't noticed before. But for the most part I think the two stories would be considered largely different.
Hi Allison,
Thank you for answering my question! As a reader I like variety, which is why I naturally graze through fiction and non-fiction and several different authors. However, once I find an author I like I come back to them again and again even if they are tackling the same theme, simply because their books resonate at with me. So I guess readers are like authors in that way, we find ourselves drawn to certain themes. BTW, I can't wait to read your next book!
s.
For me, the theme doesn't matter so much as the author's voice. If I love their writing style, it doesn't really matter what the book is about. I just finished reading The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake. The book's plot is totally strange. I wouldn't jump to buy the book because of the subject matter. But the author's writing style and imagination and pacing made every page worthwhile. Loved it!
This statement in your post struck me: "I don't know if, without that important connection, the book would be as strong or really, if I'd be as interested in writing it in the first place." I think that idea applies not only to you as the author, but to your readers as well. The topics/issues/themes you explore resonate with you, so you're able to write about them with passion. Your characters are very real, and it's obvious you have a strong connection with them and a drive to tell their stories. That connection - both to the characters and to the problems they face - is basically the same thing that drives me, as a reader, to continue picking up your novels.
I read in a blog post recently (racking my brain, but can't remember where) that before an author can jump the track, basically, he has to have riders on the train (excuse the bad metaphor). Once you've gained the trust of your readership, your readers are more likely to follow if you diverge from what's expected. I imagine that's worked out both beautifully and terribly for authors over the years. (I remember where I read this now - Nathan Bransford's blog - it was about building an audience before trying to break all the rules.)
This is such a fascinating question! For writers, we live with the book for 365 days (give or take) before turning it in, so there's probably a natural inclination to try something different after a few books. But readers only spend a few days with our book, so I suspect having a similar theme isn't tiring for them... I think most commercial writers want to have some elements be the same - I guess voice is one that we can't change too much - but veering wildly from genre to genre would be a mistake. Just my thoughts.
I don't think it's an either/or, really. I do think every writer has a handful of themes they return to, but theme is such a broad thing - what aspect of death are you exploring? Even if it's the same aspect in two different books, maybe your approach is different. As you said, you'll never run out of material, and you'll never run out of angles, either.
That said, every book I write deals with identity and family, usually a parent-child relationship, but each book twists those in different ways. I don't think there's anything wrong with it; the execution is different. The topic is different. Theme is the most versatile when it comes to recycling because it imbues work. It's not the focus. If I write two different books about wizards, they'd better be in a series or it would get old. But theme isn't like that.