{"id":946,"date":"2016-09-21T19:22:19","date_gmt":"2016-09-21T23:22:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.shanafigueroa.com\/blog\/?p=946"},"modified":"2016-09-21T19:33:32","modified_gmt":"2016-09-21T23:33:32","slug":"my-core-theme-love-is-power","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.shanafigueroa.com\/blog\/my-core-theme-love-is-power\/","title":{"rendered":"My Core Theme: Love is Power"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Yup,<\/a>
Yup, it’s right in there!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

RWA\u2019s <\/a>monthly publication has been running a series of articles on core themes lately. A core theme is an idea that connects an artist\u2019s entire body of work, like a tagline. For instance, Shonda Rimes\u2019s core theme is \u201cYou are not alone.\u201d A core theme should arise organically from whatever a (in this case) writer likes to write about. Picking a core theme ahead of time is probably not a good idea \u2013 nobody wants to experience someone\u2019s painful shoe-horning of a Deep Meaning into their story, i.e. \u201cEvery scene has pink flowers, because they represent innocent love! Get it???\u201d<\/p>\n

After writing about a dozen short stories and four novels (two published so far), I\u2019ve realized what my core theme is: Love is Power. So, contextually, what does this mean?<\/p>\n

\""OMG<\/a>
“OMG WE ARE STILL YOUR BIGGEST FANS. IF ONLY YOU’D LET US INCREASE YOU SEO RANKINGS…”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Well, here\u2019s the thing \u2013 if you\u2019ve been keeping track of my stuff (the spambots sure have!) you probably think I\u2019m a cynical, snarky negative Nancy. And it\u2019s true that whenever I get my creative juices flowing, I almost always go dark; it\u2019s just more interesting. Dark is fun.<\/p>\n

However, big picture-wise, I\u2019m a big ol\u2019 optimist. I believe in the innate goodness of humanity, I believe the world is getting better (and there\u2019s actual evidence to support this), and I believe love is more powerful that hate. In fact, I believe love is one of the most powerful forces in the world. People do a lot of good \u2013 and bad \u2013 things for love. It doesn\u2019t actually conquer all, but, on the whole, it pushes in the direction of good.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve always been fascinated by the way human emotions profoundly and irrationally affect the decisions we make, even causing us to act in ways that aren\u2019t in our best interests. All of my stories include this element in some way; specifically, how love empowers people to embrace the greater good and make the right decisions, even if they suffer for it. This is also why I\u2019m drawn to the romance genre, which is all about the power of love!<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the Valentine Shepherd series, broken down into specific themes or taglines:<\/p>\n

\"love-is-power-theme-breakdown-v2\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Bottom line: If complicated love is your jam, then I\u2019m your woman!<\/p>\n

Hit it, Celine!<\/p>\n