Two takes on messages in stories

Here's some help with theme and messaging in your fiction.

Writing coach C.S. Lakin shared six questions to get at the heart of your story on her Live Write Thrive blog.

That piece is more about the how of messaging — the other post we'll link to is more about the why of messaging.

Specifically, it addresses the uptick in what Nathan Bransford calls "manifesto fiction," or novels that have an overt political message.

Bransford isn't pushing for purely atypical fiction, but he does want to remind authors that they must still focus on the actual entertainment or engagement value of their tale.

Related posts 

• How and why to put big issues in your fiction 

• On tackling big issues in fiction while staying off soapboxes