Keeping the Main Theme the Main Theme

I recently read a YA by an author whose name is widely known. I liked the voice, the writing itself was solid, but to be honest, when I finished the book, closed it and put it down beside me, I found myself thinking, "What was that story actually about?"

What I think is missing is the overall THEME. For example, the novel I reviewed last week is about an assassination attempt on King Arthur and Merlin's attempt to secure the support of the people for Arthur's rule through the sword in the stone. That's pretty much the gist of the whole story.

The other story I read couldn't so easily be summarized. I have no idea what to say about it from the standpoint of a theme.

So this made me stop and analyze my own work. I have one completed manuscript that I'd begun shopping to agents, but I realized that my story lacks a cohesive message. I know what I want that message to be, but so far it's not very apparent in the telling of the tale.

This is really another reason I think it's important to keep reading. Anything and everything. Break it down. Look at what works and why. Find what doesn't work. Why did it fail? What would you have done differently? Apply what you've learned to your own work. It's a great learning tool.