Motifs!

[Explaura]

deleted

 

[matriarch]

Ok, I am not sure if motif is the right vocabulary for what I am talking about, but I am noticing a lot, that I associate my charachters and plots to non-specifically-relevent imagery. For instance, I associate a charachter with the sky or the moon, and then I can mention a cloud passing over the moon, and I feel like it casts light on what is going on in the story, even though it seems like a background detail. Or I can equate developing a relationship to a charachter that makes things. And then, when I make him say that he is tired of screwing up his project through inattention, what I really mean is that the relationship is suffering through his distraction. But generally, I let these themes or motifs stay far back in the background. I feel like I do it almost unconciously, that is, make these paralells and associations, but then I can play with it. Do you guys do that? Do you read into that kind of thing when you are reading stories? Do you appreciate it?

I wish I could say 'yes', but I'm just not that deep.

I just write dirty stories.
When I read, I like a good plot, that may be complicated, providing its not too complicated for me to follow.
And the writing has to be good. I know that's a vague term, individually subjective and impossible to define, but I know it when I read it.

Sorry to be so vague.

 

[Weird Harold]

Ok, I am not sure if motif is the right vocabulary for what I am talking about, but I am noticing a lot, that I associate my characters and plots to non-specifically-relevent imagery. For instance, I associate a charachter with the sky or the moon, and then I can mention a cloud passing over the moon, and I feel like it casts light on what is going on in the story...

I don't know how much it "casts light on what is happening in the story" but I try to use consistent imagery to set a mood, or personality.

I think of it as using Earth, Air, Fire, or Water to establish a character.

For an earthy, practical, sort of character, I might describe him with "Salt of the Earth," "the patience of a stone," and other earthy metaphors.

For a flighty, air-headed, blonde, I would use images like Bubbly, Breezy, etc.

I think of it as just one trick in a whole box of tricks that I can use to shape the story into something beyond a mere factual narrative.

 

[flavortang]

I don't really use motifs in erotica, but I do when writing screenplays. George Lucas is a big fan of using motifs in his movies.

 

[BlackShanglan]

I think it's a good way to add depth and richness to a story without becoming too heavy-handed. I'd stick with it!

Shanglan