If I have something that fits a theme, I will submit it. I never think about a theme while writing. If a theme appears, it has come from the process, not from an intention. Anthologies with a theme often turn out quite well.
I think themes are like anything else. Sometimes they lead to inspiration, flip some switch, sometimes not. When they do, it's a bonus. And sometimes they indicate a possible home
for something already written, that didn't know it might fit a theme. Sometimes the thought of a theme just stops my mind, like trying to think of a caption for those New Yorker cartoons at the back of the issue, but I try to keep my mind open. I do think themes arise inevitably and organically; whether I can respond depends on where they intersect with me in the moment.
Good point on the "organic" issue. Feels central to my thoughts -- is it often **too** inorganic to gear work towards a theme. Writing "on the subject" vs. "writing off the subject".
For maybe twenty years, my writing practice has been based on timed prompts. So writing "on" doesn't bother me. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. My bigger issue is that some lit mags introduce themes for which I need a dictionary look-up.
I'm a big fan of themes for a couple of reasons: (1) there's less competition to submit to them; (2) it's easier for me to find poems I can use as writing workshop prompts; and (3) as an editor of a regional lit mag, I think each issue has inherent themes. I admit, some themes I don't understand.
When I receive the weekly Duotrope newsletter, I always scan the themes section. From this week's newsletter, I have three on my "to submit" list now, mainly because I already have pieces that fit the theme. Only for one would I need to write something new, but it's on a topic I want to write about anyway.
Good thoughts, Barbara! I appreciate all of your points. I expect that is true about competition. Also true about prompts. Themes can spark writers to write on the subject.
One that comes to mind is I used to enjoy Press 53's monthly contest -- it's a good challenge given the constraints
I love a good theme. I rarely write new work towards a theme. More often themes help me see new possibilities for my poems. I might remember one I’ve not sent out in a while or I’ll edit an old poem in a completely new direction.
I will add that season-prompts are my least favourite, partly because the standard 4-season cycle is not my experience.
Catherine and Barbara make great points about themes, and there's little I can add. I do like that themes can bring acceptable subject matter into greater focus, and potentially remove some of the randomness from the crap shoot we call publishing <g>.
I run a literary magazine called The Rebis (www.therebis.com) where every issue is themed as a different Major Arcana tarot card. This structure showcases the breadth and depth of a singular archetype: we've done Wheel of Fortune, The Chariot, The Star, and our forthcoming anthology this year is The Devil. It's been fascinating to see the range of creative expression around each tarot card and I think our community really enjoys it!
Great idea for a niche theme! In this case, your choices make sense for your audience so it seems unquestionably authentic. It's also nice that it's an ongoing project so it's not a one-off theme. I can easily see your community rallying around this.
I don't know about themes. I guess it's like a prompt. For something to be published. Maybe it's a good exercise or something you have on hand. Maybe it inspires you. Also, since it is for publication, it depends on how much time you have until the deadline. If it's a month away, you have time to write and revise. Otherwise it might be hurried and subpar. I'm not a huge fan but it might be great for some.
You mention “wiggle room for self-discovery,” Mark. Themes don’t take into account self-discovery. That could be argued, but themes can limit rather than liberate. On a practical level, I have submitted poems that I feel fit a theme. But mostly, I like the open-ended approach of One Art.
If I have something that fits a theme, I will submit it. I never think about a theme while writing. If a theme appears, it has come from the process, not from an intention. Anthologies with a theme often turn out quite well.
100% agree with you about anthologies.
I think themes are like anything else. Sometimes they lead to inspiration, flip some switch, sometimes not. When they do, it's a bonus. And sometimes they indicate a possible home
for something already written, that didn't know it might fit a theme. Sometimes the thought of a theme just stops my mind, like trying to think of a caption for those New Yorker cartoons at the back of the issue, but I try to keep my mind open. I do think themes arise inevitably and organically; whether I can respond depends on where they intersect with me in the moment.
Good point on the "organic" issue. Feels central to my thoughts -- is it often **too** inorganic to gear work towards a theme. Writing "on the subject" vs. "writing off the subject".
Yes, trying to write “on” doesn’t work. There must be a certain backing off it it’s to work.
For maybe twenty years, my writing practice has been based on timed prompts. So writing "on" doesn't bother me. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. My bigger issue is that some lit mags introduce themes for which I need a dictionary look-up.
Ha, I hear you on the dictionary situation. I have a sense those come from word-of-the-day lists that pique editors' interests.
I'm a big fan of themes for a couple of reasons: (1) there's less competition to submit to them; (2) it's easier for me to find poems I can use as writing workshop prompts; and (3) as an editor of a regional lit mag, I think each issue has inherent themes. I admit, some themes I don't understand.
When I receive the weekly Duotrope newsletter, I always scan the themes section. From this week's newsletter, I have three on my "to submit" list now, mainly because I already have pieces that fit the theme. Only for one would I need to write something new, but it's on a topic I want to write about anyway.
Good thoughts, Barbara! I appreciate all of your points. I expect that is true about competition. Also true about prompts. Themes can spark writers to write on the subject.
One that comes to mind is I used to enjoy Press 53's monthly contest -- it's a good challenge given the constraints
https://www.press53.com/53word-story-contest
I love a good theme. I rarely write new work towards a theme. More often themes help me see new possibilities for my poems. I might remember one I’ve not sent out in a while or I’ll edit an old poem in a completely new direction.
I will add that season-prompts are my least favourite, partly because the standard 4-season cycle is not my experience.
Good point about seeing possibilities, Kathryn.
Sometimes we need some outside stimuli to nudge us.
For themes, in the past, I've used the search function to search keywords in my poems to see if they might align with a theme.
Catherine and Barbara make great points about themes, and there's little I can add. I do like that themes can bring acceptable subject matter into greater focus, and potentially remove some of the randomness from the crap shoot we call publishing <g>.
With 7,000+ lit mags there is certainly a paradox of choice when it comes to submissions. So, yeah, I definitely get that themes offer targets.
I run a literary magazine called The Rebis (www.therebis.com) where every issue is themed as a different Major Arcana tarot card. This structure showcases the breadth and depth of a singular archetype: we've done Wheel of Fortune, The Chariot, The Star, and our forthcoming anthology this year is The Devil. It's been fascinating to see the range of creative expression around each tarot card and I think our community really enjoys it!
Great idea for a niche theme! In this case, your choices make sense for your audience so it seems unquestionably authentic. It's also nice that it's an ongoing project so it's not a one-off theme. I can easily see your community rallying around this.
I don't know about themes. I guess it's like a prompt. For something to be published. Maybe it's a good exercise or something you have on hand. Maybe it inspires you. Also, since it is for publication, it depends on how much time you have until the deadline. If it's a month away, you have time to write and revise. Otherwise it might be hurried and subpar. I'm not a huge fan but it might be great for some.
A theme can definitely be taken as a prompt/challenge.
Agreed, themes can be a good exercise and source of inspiration.
Robert Lee Brewer's prompts for National Poetry Month and NaPoWriMo are often just a few words so very similar in that they are open-ended.
https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-poetry
RLB used to maintain his Poetic Asides blog
https://www.writersdigest.com/poetic-asides
> I do have concerns about readership in some instances.
Me too. If nothing else, I myself don’t consistently read any magazines with only themed issues.
I do appreciate timing the publication of poems though.
You mention “wiggle room for self-discovery,” Mark. Themes don’t take into account self-discovery. That could be argued, but themes can limit rather than liberate. On a practical level, I have submitted poems that I feel fit a theme. But mostly, I like the open-ended approach of One Art.