Writing Excuses 20.27: The Lens of Why
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Jul 6, 2025 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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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.
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.
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.