: Re: How to write a story that argues an idea I apologize for the wording of my question; it's probably not very clear. I've got this idea for a book that explores a sort of philosophical theory.

@Bryan361

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The previous two answers have clearly described the effect that a theme can have on a plot and the effects which it can have on potential book sales. Let me instead investigate the relationship of philosophical ideas to the media which best carry their propaganda. The two examples from your question are perfect examples of the extremes on this issue.

"Don't Smoke" is a simple statement and is part of a larger health-conscious philosophy which favors longevity over enjoyment, and conformity over freedom. The principle weapons for its propaganda are the possible negative consequences of smoking. There are no weak points in the don't smoke arsenal and its strongest points can be delivered in still images of bed-bound respirator patients and sound bites from tracheotomy patients. The directness of its propaganda make it a poor fit for lengthy literature, movie or screen-plays, because with so little to say, the author is forced to restate the obvious, over and over again. Because of its endless repetition of the No Smoking ideology's one-note song, anything longer than a one page flyer or a 30-second commercial, automatically sounds "preachy" because that is what it is.

Objectivism, which is the philosophy underlying most of Ayn Rand's writings, is a much better candidate for use as the underlying theme of a lengthy literary work. It favors individual-rights over social-responsibility and panders the virtues of hard working business owners and their untainted right to be fruits of their labor. It is a complex idea with many strong supportive arguments and it conflicts with many well established and equally well supported opposing philosophies. Objectivism can't be sold with a two word slogan, nor can it defend itself from counter-argument with simple still images or sound bytes.

A still image of a silk suited tycoon emerging from a rolls-royce onto a street full of starving homeless people, would be horrible propoganda for the objectivist's cause. Nothing that a successful businessman could say in 30-seconds would ever sell the objectivist point of view. This 18-minute speech by Francisco D'Anconia (a charcter from Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged) however, is one of the best ideological sales pitches that I have ever encountered as a reader. It hits all of the ideology's strong points and attacks many of the oppositions arguments, succinctly and thoroughly, but it takes 18 minutes to deliver in audio, and several pages on paper.

What makes these two philosophical messages so different, in terms of their suitability for use as a narrative theme? I believe that their opposition is what distinguishes them for the role. No one is out there waving the pro-smoking flag, but plenty of people have serious and well-thought out objections to Objectivism. Those objections are the harbingers of the most powerful word in fiction writing...

Conflict!

Fiction thrives on conflict. Conflict not only fuels reader' engagement, it threatens and thereby conceals the story's finale. It generates tension and keeps the pages turning. The higher you stoke that tension, the more likely each reader is, to read on to your story's conclusion, to hear completely your argument for the "rightness" of your point of view.

If you are going to use a theme in your books, make sure that it is controversial. Make sure that there are strong arguments against what you are trying to say. Then give each of those arguments a clear and competent voice within your writing. Create a strong and passionate speaker to defend each opposing idea, then address and debate each of those world-views through interactions with character who represent your point of view. Illuminate the entire spectrum of these ideas through the choices, actions and consequences of characters from both sides; then resolve the conflict in a manner which strongly supports your personal point of view.

If you are up for a real writing challenge, walk with your point of view character from their origin in one of the opposing camps to the conclusion which you want your readers to make. Invite your readers to grow towards you, by showing them your most loved character as she travels that painful path.

Choosing a theme should be a carefully considered choice. With a poorly chosen, unopposed theme, good writing can become preachy or even worse, pointless. With the right theme steering the journey, writing can transcend mere entertainment and become a medium for illuminating ideas and teaching wisdom.

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