The Moral Premise
I heard about this on the Seekerville blog. Agent Natasha Kern posted on this fascinating subject.
Honestly, I hadn't considered the moral premise of my stories. Theme, yes. Values, yes. But not the moral premise.
This post is worth reading, though a little long. Also, The Moral Premise blog looks like an interesting place.
How do you treat morality in your stories? Is the moral fiber of your MC the driving force behind the character's decisions, and thus their story? Do you think theme and moral premise are the same? (Susan did an interesting post on this, though I couldn't find it in her archives. Maybe she can tell us.)
Honestly, I hadn't considered the moral premise of my stories. Theme, yes. Values, yes. But not the moral premise.
This post is worth reading, though a little long. Also, The Moral Premise blog looks like an interesting place.
How do you treat morality in your stories? Is the moral fiber of your MC the driving force behind the character's decisions, and thus their story? Do you think theme and moral premise are the same? (Susan did an interesting post on this, though I couldn't find it in her archives. Maybe she can tell us.)
Comments
THere is the universal conscious that unites us -- there is the human condition that provides for themes and premises in our own lives- and thus links us...there also the situational in our own personal lives that will make us say "that's my life .... I get this...I've lived it...." and for each person who reads one particular work, each one may "get" something else from it that is their universal consc.
I think Tender Graces has a morality story, but not because I consciously put it there. But, most all things have a "morality story" - because we see our world in that way....we want a Just world....a world that makes sense.
Dang, I need to shut up - who knew I'd write all that *laugh* I probably didn't even answer the question!
First, I don't think themes top the NY bestseller list, do they? LOL The only one I think I've read on that list is Nora Roberts, and she's def. character driven. :-)
But I agree completely with everything you said. I don't like books that are all about some theme or moral, but I do think after we write our stories we can look back and maybe fine tune what's already there. :-)
Great comment! I loved it. Write as much as you want, any time. :-)
Kids movies are good. Great example!
I love your new pic! Very nice. :-)
Thanks for the link. Can you give me a hint on the content of my post? I'm drawing a blank. With over 200 posts, it's difficult to recall a specific one without a bit of help. :)
Natasha's post provided a lot of insight into the structure of a novel. I realize I need to plug some serious gaps in my knowledge of the craft.
Blessings,
Susan
As for setting up a moral premise, I think that's much easier for expressly Christian authors because a great deal of our market already know the premise. We don't have to set it up so much. But still, one of the most difficult things for me in writing religious fantasy is balancing what the reader should already know and what I need to tell them!
Natasha's post was incredible! So much to learn. I need to go reread it.
As for the post, I'll hop over to your place. :-)
Oh yeah, I'm taking it! I love the concept and think she (or whoever came up with it) is really onto something as to what makes a novel awesome.
I couldn't imagine writing Christian Fantasy, just because of all the world-building! *shudder*
:-) I like to see how characters deal with morality also. It def. adds conflict to the story.
Thanks for stopping by. :-)
Yeah, preachy is really tricky. I'd imagine even more so for YA. LOL Have fun with that!
So I just found your blog post in my dashboard, but it's the first time I saw it! The blogger ghost is still hiding things from me!
I like the idea of moral premise. I always try to summarize the theme of my book in one sentence and I suppose that's a similar idea to the moral premise. Maybe?
I'm all for sharing! :-) Who are you going to?
You both love Picoult, don't you? She definitely gets to the heart of moral dilemmas. A great writer. :-)
Morals even played a part in my vampire fantasy. :-)
Now I'm writing a story about a courtesan and a recovering laudanum addict who are both trying to find the good in themselves--to feel worthy of happiness. So I guess morals and theme are bound to be entwined in such a premise. We'll see how it all plays out!
Terresa, no worries. I think most of this comes through subconsciously. :-)