What’s Your Signature?
Image by Cornell University Library via Flickr
I’m working on a new/old novella. I’ve titled it Servant of Dreams, but I’m not going to say why. I want y’all to buy it and figure that out for yourselves.
The story is one I had tucked away for about 20 years. I wrote a complete story, printed it out, shared it with some people, and even submitted it to…someplace…and got a complimentary rejection (“Lovely story, but not quite for us”). When I put all fiction writing aside, I shoved this story in a box and forgot about it.
Fast forward to 2011. I released Silver Thaw and Ravenmarked, and I realized that the best thing I can do for myself is get more titles online. Since it will be a while before book two of The Taurin Chronicles is ready, I decided that I’d rewrite that old story. After all, the themes and characters weren’t bad, and that rejection was even sort of complimentary. I picked it apart and started rewriting.
It was in picking apart and rewriting this story that I realized my authorial signature. I’m not talking about a writing tic (I have plenty of those–that’s for another post!) or certain phrases or symbols I repeat (I have those, too). I’m talking about the thing that seems to always emerge in my stories–the piece of me that always seeps into what I write.
For whatever reason, my signature seems to be equality. The stories in my head, the stories I’ve written, the stories I’ve enjoyed th most in my life have some sort of underlying theme of equality or egalitarianism. Whether it’s religious, social, racial, what have you, I seem to be deeply concerned with human rights, the violation of them, and the eventual recognition that all humans (or magical races) are created equal.
I find this intriguing. It’s like some sort of vestigial writer’s tail. Where does this come from? I’m a woman, but I’m white, Baptist, and pretty ordinary. I fly under most peoples’ radar. I’m not a crusader, really. I’ve never been a victim of severe prejudice. I’m not even entirely sure I have a right to write about things like racial equality. I don’t really know whereof I speak except that I think discrimination is pretty bad.
But when I write, that’s what comes through–a deep concern for human rights and equality. It was there 20 years ago in the first version of Servant of Dreams, and it’s there in Silver Thaw and Ravenmarked.
I’m not sure I can change this, and even if I could, I’m not sure I’d want to. It’s not like it’s hard to agree that discrimination is bad, right? I’m not writing something radically controversial. And maybe in that I’m not being daring enough–maybe this signature is something that needs a few loops and swirls. Maybe that will come, in time, as I get more confident and develop my craft and find more stories to write.
But maybe it won’t. Maybe this is just who and what I am–my signature. And for what it’s worth, I sort of like it.
What about you? What’s your signature? What themes and plots are you drawn to, either in the stories you write or the stories you read?
Oh, I love the idea a signature. There was an entry last week about the same idea, but she called it career themes. No, signatures is so much better, more subtle. Like Something in the subconscious.
In stories I read, I haven’t noticed a theme of any sort. But when I write, I definitely have this signature. I write about power, masculine v. feminine, family relations (usually father, mother, son, daughter). Also ever present are themes of chaos, deception, and destruction.
Yes, quite a cheery girl, lol.
That’s a good post, NM. Thanks for that link.
I think it is kind of subconscious for me, because even now that I think about the two novels that are stuck in my closet forever and ever (!), I realize that theme of eqality is woven through them, too. I really didn’t even realize it was there.
I think it does crop up for me in what I read, too, because I’m quite a fan of Jane Austen and Charles Dickens and the like. Stories that deal with social structure and outcasts and such really appeal to me. I’m always hoping people will see each other as equals in the end. But I will read almost anything; those are just the stories that resonate with me the most.
LOL on your cheerfulness…
Too funny. Hey, those are great themes. It’s about the human condition, isn’t it?
I like the idea of an author’s signature. Of course, you don’t have to stick tightly to one, but I seem to have done just that. I wasn’t aware of it when I was churning out my first batch of story ideas. They were coming so fast and furious there was no time to see the pattern. But it certainly is there. Injustice and the abuse of power have always been a central interest for me, and that’s come out in my work, which is always about slavery in one form or another. I’m just beginning to realize that I’m probably writing myself into a non-existent niche because stories about slavery are almost always erotica, which is not something I’m interested in, as a writer.
Inspiring post. Thank you.
I don’t think slavery has to equal erotica, Catana. I know what you mean, but I think you’re right–slavery is about power and abuse of power. That theme is sort of in my stories, too. It’s a big plot point in Ravenmarked, actually, without being erotica. And it will figure more prominently in book two, Bloodbonded.
I think you can definitely write about slavery in various forms without it turning into erotica.
Thanks for your comment!
Great question. I’ve noticed I am fascinated by duality, the good/bad internal conflict going on. The good girl who goes bad. The lost boy who was good once but gets corrupted, i.e Dorian Gray…
My two novels are set in the rock scene, a world I know well, from having been a musician once…
Duality is a good one. I think sometimes we explore themes we haven’t quite figured out yet through our writing.
I’m glad you’re back, Alannah–I missed your comments!
I’m an expert on duality after writing so much about my boy
Not fully back yet, just have access to internet this weekend, but hoping to be back as I used to be soon. Only have time to view a few blogs and yours is always one of my chosen ones
Aw, thanks! Well, I’m glad you made time for me! Good to see you again!
Oh, yes! My stories are my way of working out my thinking about important topics. I think it was Alice in Alice in Wonderland who said “How do I know what I think until I see what I say?”
That’s a great quote, Catana. I’d forgotten that one. Thanks!
A fascinating idea! I’ve just started playing with an idea for my fourth book and your blog reawakened something I’ve thought about off and on. Why does guilt seem to plague my central characters? Not a very pleasant signature. In my first published book, Wrenn, Egypt House, the heroine is plagued by the death of her sister and baby brother; in Volunteer for Glory, due to be published in March, Rachel feels guilty over loving both her husband and another man; in Scattered Pieces (unpublished) Katie is haunted by the loss of her little brother at a train station; and the newest prospect, deals with another guilt. What am I guilty of? Yikes!
LOL, Alice–time for some soul-searching, perhaps??
Sounds like you have a similar experience to me–that you write this without knowing why it’s so important to you! I keep thinking, “I’ve never been a slave. No one has ever abused me because of my race or gender, really. I’ve voted since I was 18. Why is this such a big deal?” But then, Dickens wrote a lot about the same sorts of things… There are just some themes and ideas tha resonate with us.
Thanks for your comment!
Anything I write has to do with outsiders. They’re awkward, don’t quite fit in and seem like losers in some cases. Of course there’s gigantimous greatness in them just waiting to come out. Hopefully that will the fun of reading anything by me.
Okay, now I will be looking for ways to use “gigantimous” in a sentence. You’ve just made reading your comment fun.
Outsiders are a great signature–I love it!
Aren’t ALL my comments fun? You how much time and editing goes into these gems? I’ll spare you the details.
I wish I could take credit for “gigantimous”, but it’s a Whedon word mash-up. Oh how I’d love a few drops of that talent.
Oh, forgive me! I did not mean to imply that any of your comments are less than gem-like!
Yes, all of your comments are fun. I’m always glad when you comment on my posts!
I think I must be just old enough that I missed the whole Whedon thing. I never really got into all that stuff. Don’t know why… “30 Rock” is more my style, I guess…. But then, I just don’t watch much of anything. I’m too busy writing!
You’re never too old for Whedon. Give in. Come on . . . everyone’s doing it.
*snort* You have so much to learn about me… I was never cool… I just put the cool kids in a book.
To thine own self be true.
Interesting thought, about a signature. Your blog is SOO thought-provoking!
Thanks, Roxie–what a nice compliment! And yes, always, to thine own self be true.
I love this concept of “signature. ” Definitely more poetic than “theme,” like your first commenter said.
My signature has to do with the struggle between helplessness and inaction.
That is, we all feel powerless at times, but is that enough of a reason to do nothing?
Of course being fantasy my characters discover the start was the most important thing they can do.
And the second major signature is the importance of relationship.
Love it, Amy Jane.
Those are great signatures. I think a couple of my things emphasize that relationship thing, but I struggle with being an “island” myself, so I think it’s sometimes hard for me to write in a way that emphasizes how valuable relationships are. But then, Connor Mac Niall is a man who was an island, but by the end of Ravenmarked, he’s pretty committed to sharing his life with other people… I guess he grows enough to realize that relationships are important. 
Thank you for commenting!
Like everyone else, I love this ‘writer’s signature’ idea.
I’ve realised lately that I write a lot about ‘belonging’ – finding somewhere where you feel accepted and a part of things; and of course, it turns out to be more about the people than the place.
I also like to write about strong women who can stand on their own, and another recurring theme is quiet, unflashy heroes who have inner strength.
Strong women–yes! Not really enough of those in literature, in my opinion. I think it’s important to have strong women who have different kinds of strength, too. And, I love strong villain women, like Cersei Lannister of the Song of Ice and Fire books. Well, I hate her, but I love to hate her…
Thanks for your comment!
I’ve thought about this before, but not using the term “signature.” My books are about family. Not the one you’re born with, but the one you chose. They’re about the love and healing that takes place when a neglected kid finds a community that cares about him or her.
I love that signature. Very cool!
I have a total soft spot for the family signature. I am now ready to read anything you’re working on.
Thanks, Andrew. If you follow Amy’s blog, you’ll certainly know when my books are available.
Sounds good, Lisa.