Comments on: How to Deepen Your Story With Motifs

By: J. H. Tabbott

J. H. Tabbott — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 23:07:10 +0000

Good article. Motif is one of those things most of us know about, but rarely think about or remember when working on our stories. Yet they are wonderful devices. The closest I've come to using any, myself is a phrase (we are formidable) that's repeated a few times in my first two books. I've never thought about it before, but they at least marginally qualify, because the purpose of the phrase morphs a bit each time it's used... from trying to be hopeful, to gaining some confidence, to actually believing it may be true. Still, I could have done so much better with motifs, had I paid as much attention as I have to foreshadowing. Thank you for the keen reminder!!

By: Rebekah Robinson

Rebekah Robinson — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 07:34:43 +0000

In reply to Rebekah Robinson. Oh, and it’s bonsai, representing inhibited growth!

By: Rebekah Robinson

Rebekah Robinson — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 07:33:42 +0000

The skellytum tree in A Civil Campaign by Lois McMaster Bujold. It keeps on keeping on, despite transplants & setbacks.

By: Jennifer Tooker

Jennifer Tooker — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 13:22:52 +0000

In reply to Sally M. Chetwynd. Definitely in my toolkit. :-)

By: Lucy Kubash

Lucy Kubash — Sat, 08 Nov 2025 05:10:26 +0000

A favorite book I read as a teenager was A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, where the tree that grows up between the cracks in the sidewalk represents the immigrants who, in spite of their struggles, remain determined and steadfast.

By: Lisa Norman

Lisa Norman — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 04:27:13 +0000

Great post, Diana! I used a motif of Light and Dark in Dominion of Darkness. Had a lot of fun weaving that in to different scenes.

By: Llewella Forgie

Llewella Forgie — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 00:19:35 +0000

Most writing classes don't talk about this important topic. Do you have a class or book on it?

By: Diana Stout

Diana Stout — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 14:10:25 +0000

In reply to denise. That's awesome! Thanks for sharing. :)

By: denise

denise — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 05:21:17 +0000

I think I may have subconsciously used it.

By: Diana Stout

Diana Stout — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 17:21:20 +0000

In reply to Ellen Buikema. You're welcome. :) I had three books published and had written several screenplays before I learned about motifs. Ever since then, using motifs is part of my planning/outlining process. It's so much fun watching the story's depth appear almost magically because of them. Thanks for commenting!