What is Purpose in Writing?
Why you should pursue it
Introduction
I used to write about all kinds of things, I guess I didn't know what a niche was. But when I happened on my purpose, I found direction. A lot of writers say that they don't focus on purpose in their writing, they lean more towards passion. I suppose that works but what if you're passionate about a lot of things?
I'm passionate about chocolate but I couldn't see myself writing about it every day for the next 10 years. Chocolate cake, chocolate ice, chocolate milk,... maybe I can write about that for a while but how would that help you? Help you to be fat and happy, I guess.
Defining Purpose
Your purpose is your gift. It's that thing that you can't stop thinking about no matter what you do. You read about it, you watch videos about it, you live and breathe it. That thing for me is writing.
Having always loved talking to people about writing, the coaching part of my purpose was born. I'm interested in helping other writers find their purpose in writing.
Finding Your Writing Purpose
Sometimes you don't search for your purpose, it finds you. But if you want to find it before it finds you, just think about what you are good at. What do people always ask you about? My folks thought by me being a writer, I was good at writing anything. I've helped write letters, emails, term papers, wills, and business proposals, not to mention the countless resumes I've written over the years.
What do people ask you for? How can you teach what you know to other people?
Importance of Purpose in Writing
It's important to have a purpose in your writing. I thought that being a Jack of all trades was the best thing to be, but boy was I wrong. I mean it's good to know a lot but what's your focus? What do you want to be known for? What's the first thing that comes to mind when people hear or see your name?
Would you rather get a shade tree mechanic to fix your Mercedes or are you going to take it to the dealership. The people that specialize in your type of car.
Once you know your purpose, you know what direction to go in when it comes to your writing. It's easy to plan what you want to write about when you have only 2 or 3 content pillars. Which is basically the categories that you write under.
I write mostly about:
Purpose
Self-improvement
Motivation/Inspiration
That may sound limiting but it's not. It helps me pinpoint exactly how I will approach the ideas in my head.
Examples of Writing Purposes
I am an educator first and foremost, but I hate delivering boring lectures and I don't like writing boring content. Have you ever sat in a classroom or training class, trying your best not to put your head down on your desk? Well you know exactly what I'm talking about.
Knowing your purpose helps you bring life to your content. It's something that you are naturally excited about and you find ways to show that excitement in your material. If you can get a few chuckles here and there that's the icing on the chocolate cake.
Aligning Actions with Purpose
Over this past year, I've learned to make sure everything I write lines up with my overall purpose. Think about the lessons you've learned, the obstacles you've overcome. I bet you could fill 10 books with your thoughts and experiences.
The thing that helps me stay focused is thinking about where I was a year or two ago. That's what you have to do. When you write, write to the younger you. What advice will you give her? How can you help her not make the mistakes that you made?
Q&A Section
Did you find this content helpful? Are there any specific questions you'd like answered?
Resources and Tools
After watching a YouTube video about this note taking app, I decided to download it. The name of it is Floating Notes. It's an android app but there are a few iPhone sticky note apps available.
I decided to get this app because I used to have a sticky note addiction. I had sticky notes all over my cubicle at work, on the wall near my desk at home and in every book I had read. When I wanted to remember to make a call or stop at the store, putting sticky notes on my phone seemed to work better than an alert.
With this app, I wrote my reminder and it stays on the screen whether you're playing a game or making a call. You can change that in the settings but I didn't because I would end up forgetting to turn it back on.
If your memory isn't reliable, try this app.
Conclusion
Discovering your purpose in writing is transformative, shaping not just your content but your entire journey as a writer. Here's a summary to guide you:
Purpose Drives Passion: It's more than just loving what you do; it's about what you uniquely offer to your readers.
Focused Direction: Having a clear purpose narrows your focus, making planning and writing more efficient.
Meaningful Impact: Writing with purpose breathes life into your words, resonating deeply with your audience.
Continuous Alignment: Regularly aligning actions with your purpose ensures consistent growth and relevance.
Embrace Your Gift: Your purpose in writing is your gift to the world; embrace it fully for a fulfilling writing journey.
Until Next Time
Have a good day, good person and keep writing.
If you would like to see what I'm doing when I'm not here, you can always check me out on LinkedIn, X(Twitter), or my blog. I also post occasionally on Medium.