If Your Theme Doesn’t Scare You A Little, It’s Not Deep Enough.

If your theme doesn’t scare you a little, it’s not deep enough.

Look, surface-level themes are cute and all “love conquers all,” “good always wins,” “believe in yourself”...but they don’t hit the jugular. The best themes crack you open. They dig into the uncomfortable, unresolved questions you’ve been avoiding. 

Why do we stay loyal to people who hurt us?

Is forgiveness selfish or selfless?

What does it mean to feel safe in your own skin?

If you’re writing something that makes you squirm a little, like something you wouldn’t casually bring up at brunch—that’s probably the real story you need to tell. And that’s also the story your readers need to hear. Vulnerability isn't a weakness; it's the damn foundation.