Pare Down Your Theme

OKay, I have been known to write complicated plots. We're supposed to only have ONE universal principle per story. So, I am studying a great article I found on QUERY TRACKER by Amy Deardon that teaches how to get it.
Examples:

Romeo and Juliet: Great Love Defies Death.
Forest Gump: Unconditional Love Redeems the Rebel.
Fellowship of the Ring: Willingness to Relinquish Power Leads to Preservation.
The Godfather: Family Ties Overcome Individual Virtue.
Rocky: Courage and Persistence Lead to Significance.
The Incredibles: Working Together Allows Each Individual to Shine.

She shows the four story pillars and much more. Check it out.

The Story Template