Ultimately, your theme will find you. You don't have to go looking for it.

When I look back over my novels what I find is that when I think I'm finished with a theme, I'm generally not. And usually themes will recur from novel to novel in odd, new guises.

I'll tell you one thing, though. It's a terrible thing to be a disappointment to a good woman.

To his surprise, she leaned over and kissed him on the forehead, a kiss so full of affection that it dispelled the awkwardness, even as it caused Miles' heart to plummet, because all kisses are calibrated, and this one revealed the great chasm between affection and love.

They stayed, many of them, because staying was easier and less scary than leaving.

Ultimately, your theme will find you. You don't have to go looking for it.

I'm delighted by how Nobody's Fool turned out. It was a rare movie.