After Plot, My Next Big Element To Pay Attention To Is Now Theme

Or maybe the two go hand in hand. I'll get back to you on that.

Check out Figuring Out Theme at Routines for Writers in which a writer/blogger struggles with theme.

For what it's worth, I've heard that some (many?) writers aren't aware of theme until after they finished a work. That is definitely the case with me and my early books. I think now that that's probaby a mistake, particularly for children's/YA writers. There are specific themes that help make a book a children's book rather than, say, an adult book that simply has a child main character. Therefore, I think those of us who are truly setting out to write children's books should be working with them.

NOTE: I am posting less because of your more positive family events--weddings and holiday weekends. Plus this year I'm reading a lot of Terry Pratchett's adult books, giving me less reading to post about. I have a little less material.