Why Write? Finding Meaning Through Fiction and Getting Motivation to Write

Inspiration and motivation are imperative for writing. We all know this. That doesn't need saying now, does it? But where do we find that well of inspiration and motivation? And does it matter what well you drink from?

I would answer the last question with a resounding yes.

We largely live in a sea of meaninglessness, and now more than ever, fiction writers who are able to provide some precious meaning to their readers are going to be cherished in comparison to those who only provide shallow entertainment.

But people will always love to be entertained, so why not provide both! Meaning, wrapped up in an exciting and unique story.

Today, I want to help writer's discover their purpose. Why write?

• Why is a Purpose Important?

• What is a Goal?

• What is a Purpose?

• Benefits of Finding Your Purpose

• Motivation to Write

• A Clear Direction

• Tap into a Deeper Level of Emotion

• Connect to Your Audience

• Help Heal the Industry of Its Deep-Rooted Narcissism

• Conclusion - Discovering Your Meaning

What is the importance of discovering your purpose for Writing Fiction?

Quick digression—The Last Kingdom was the best show on television.

The Last Kingdom - Netflix TV series

Why? Because the show addressed something that is so severely lacking in modern society. And its loss has nearly everyone in the West walking around in what psychoanalyst Viktor E. Frankl called the 'existential vacuum.'

That theme, that missing piece, is purpose.

The whole show centered around Destiny—A man's purpose and the meaning he can find in it. How tying himself to the purposes of others punishes him through the entire series, until he is able to finally say no to outside pressures and find contentment in his own drive toward building a legacy.

"Destiny is all!"

This is relevant to everyone from the writer to the bricklayer. A lot of research has been done on what having a clear purpose can do for a person to greatly improve their lives.

In the article, "The Power of Purpose," from Psychology Today, the author writes:

"...having a strong sense of purpose can have a powerful positive effect. When you have a sense of purpose, you never get up in the morning wondering what you’re going to do with yourself. When you’re ‘in purpose’ — that is, engaged with and working towards your purpose — life becomes easier, less complicated, and stressful. You become more mono-focussed, like an arrow flying towards its target, and your mind feels somehow taut and strong, with less space for negativity to seep in."

This is no different for writing fiction. What writer wouldn't want to become supercharged toward their goals and less vulnerable to writers block or burn out?

But hold on.

It can't be that easy, can it? And the answer is of course it is not. A person can't just decide one day that their life has some meaning and then become happy and productive. If it were that simple, we all would have done it already. Everyone would have finished that book or become a bestselling author.

Alas, that is not how the world works. Anything worth doing is hard and that is just a fact of life. Now, I don't want you confusing a purpose with goals. They are not the same thing.

So what's the difference between a purpose that brings meaning to your life and a regular goal?

There are a few key things to remember here: