Mark Oshiro, a versatile author of YA and middle-grade literature, joins the conversation to explore the core question: "Why did you write this book?" He discusses the difference between theme and meaning, emphasizing how readers bring their own interpretations. The chat reveals how discovering a story’s true theme mid-draft can lead to transformative rewrites. Oshiro also shares personal experiences that highlight the emotional complexities writers face while revising their work. Tune in for insights on the dynamic between authors and their audiences!
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insights INSIGHT
Theme vs Meaning Distinction
Theme asks questions the author explores without necessarily answering them.
Meaning is what the reader personally brings and takes away from the story.
insights INSIGHT
Story as Liquid in Vessels
Stories are like pitchers of liquid poured into readers' vessels shaping their experience.
The reader’s vessel determines how they perceive theme and meaning, sometimes aligning, sometimes clashing.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Transracial Adoption Book Impact
Mark Oshiro wrote a book featuring a transracial adoptee to explore rarely seen adoption dynamics.
At a book event, an adoptive father found different meaning in the book, showing reader interpretations vary widely.
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We are joined by author Mark Oshiro, who primarily writes YA and middle grade books and was a guest teacher aboard our 2024 cruise! (Our 2025 cruise is over 50% sold out! Learn more and sign up here.) We ask the question, “Why did you write this book?” while focusing specifically on theme and meaning. We discuss how authors ask questions through their work while readers bring their own answers and interpretations. The hosts and Mark emphasize the value of leaving space for readers to engage and find their own meaning in your work.This conversation also highlights how discovering a story’s true theme mid-draft can lead to major rewrites that strengthen the narrative.
Homework: Take a popular book-to-film or book-to-TV adaptation and ask yourself if the film changed the meaning or themes of the book. Then, ask yourself in what ways it did it.
P.S. Our 2025 writing retreat (on a cruise! In Mexico!) is over 50% sold out! Learn more and sign up here.
Credits: Your hosts for this episode were Mary Robinette Kowal, Dan Wells, and Howard Tayler. Our guest was Mark Oshiro. It was produced by Emma Reynolds, recorded by Marshall Carr, Jr., and mastered by Alex Jackson.
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