Welcome to Gaia! ::

Most of the themes I deal with are more personal, and often accidental. I might not go out and say "my book is about ___" but I think a very careful reader might guess. I think it's probably best when a theme isn't a message to others, though.

I like your take on the vampire myth; that sort of theme makes for fascinating reading. As opposed to the current YA trend (which is about what, anyway? snagging a vampire lover so you can be young and beautiful forever?)

Generally, a theme is not a moral. But most writers have certain ideas they're attracted to, or that they believe deeply in, that come through in their work.

Oh, yes--the trick being to show it rather than tell it. I have experienced that, too.

It does tend to come after the characters and plot are in order. But are you saying you never want to write a story because the story elements (plot, characters, world) all come together to mean something to you?

I cannot for the life of me remember where I found it, nor am I presently able to locate it, but I recall reading an article in which the author said Theme is a three-part concept. These may not be exactly right, but should be more or less along the correct lines:

1) The theme you think you're putting into your story.
2) The theme you think you're actually getting out of your story.
3) The theme your readers get out of your story.

Personally I agree with that. I wrote a short piece a while back with an intended theme of familial bonds. When I went to revise, yeah, there were elements there, but the story had shifted onto the idea of the selfishness of humans. My IJ read it and claimed she like the environmental theme, which blew my mind considering it never once crossed my mind that such a theme existed in that piece.

(I went back and looked. I can see how she got it.)

In general I'll just start writing until I see what I think is a viable theme forming. I don't really elaborate on it, though, at least until the first draft is complete, because I'll usually make note of three or four ideas I like. I'll choose the one that works best with the happenings in the story itself to really work on bringing out. Sometimes it'll change halfway through. Sometimes I won't like it after all and start over with a different theme, letting the first kind of fade into the background or utilize it as a subplot.

So I suppose I do a bit of both in regards to your last question. I let them develop on their own and then tweak them for my own purposes like the evil puppetmaster I love to be.

EDIT: Sorry, got distracted by a shiny object.

I like to think writers are jaded to the point where we feel like we need to smash our own thoughts and ideas into the faces of others. Difference being we do it in a more creative way that often gets misinterpreted and then forces us to rethink what we originally thought was right thus forcing us to grow as intellectuals. But that's just me. The more likely reality is we're really all just ax-crazy and write as a socially acceptable means of murdering, making out with, and fornicating with people. And as expressing our severely deranged natures.

By the way, I found that article.