Why Write-A-Thon: We need to hear your story!
We are counting down to the launch of my new book, Write-A-Thon: Write Your Book in 26 Days (And Live to Tell About It). Why write-a-thon? Because we need to hear your story.
A few weeks ago, there was a picture making it’s way around Facebook. In it, a woman was hugging the words on a piece of paper. It reminded me of how I feel about so many of the books I’ve read. Books are often more than interesting stories. Books have the power to heal, encourage, give hope, teach, and inspire. Imagine that.
The writing that works (inspires, entertains, or educates a reader) often serves a purpose. Sometimes it serves a greater purpose. According to the authors of The Power of Full Engagement, purpose “fuels focus, direction, passion, and perseverance.” These authors define healthy purpose as something that is a challenge, internally motivated, and serves a greater purpose.
Writing that serves a purpose supports the reader in some way. It might be writing that entertains, informs, helps, humors, inspires, consoles, connects, gives hope, provides direction, or engages! Writing that serves a greater purpose does something to better a life, a family, or the world. This writing might raise money for a cause, raise awareness for an important political or cultural issue, or educate readers about a danger or an opportunity.
Whatever topic you are writing about, having a purpose will help you gather the energy you need to finish a writing marathon. You might be willing to give up television, regular meals, and date night for something that matters to you. You won’t be able to give up anything if the project is a piece of fluff that does not matter to anyone—you included. So choose something that matters—at least to you.
Writers, remember: the story you tell might just be the story we need to hear.
Last January, at the urging of my wife, I wrote an editorial piece for our local newspaper. The die was cast and I was hooked, writing several more editorials, ranging from gay rights to terrorism. Each of these editorials was published, including one by the New York Times.
The support and feedback I have received has been phenomenal. One reader recently thanked me in an e-mail by stating, “your efforts to enlighten your community about the problems of harassment and sexuality in local schools…certainly have influenced local youth and brightened their path…I only wish you were there when I was growing up.”
Hoping to reach a greater audience, I started a blog, the PURPOSE of which is to to join a larger conversation—one that enlightens, provokes, and at times challenges the status quo.
Through discovering my purpose in writing, I have also discovered my passion for writing.
Wow, Frank–what a great story! I hope you will consider becoming one of our guest bloggers for NaNoWriMo. Thanks for stopping by and sharing this story. It brings all of us hope that our work will reach a larger audience!