We have gone over several ways and tips for writing effectively to get your work published and out to an audience of readers in previous articles. In writing fiction, you know it has to have some realism as a base so your reader can identify with and relate to your tale and/or short story/essay. And, we would add, it must have MEANING. How do you impart MEANING?
Here is our suggestion.
First, all good writers are avid readers. Think of a book, novella, essay that you have never forgotten in your reading lifetime. What was it that impressed you? Very often, the answer will be the way it “touched” you–mind and heart. It had MEANING to you, your life. Your writing can convey this, also.
The second thing and part of writing with meaning would entail simply writing daily. You can write in a notebook, on a scratch pad, or a composition book you can call a journal. You may scoff at this simplistic idea since you are working on the most stupendous and magnificent book ever written and feel you don’t have time to devote to a daily journal. It does sound kind of…well…almost juvenile. You may think of a pre-adolescent or hormone raging adolescent writing in a diary. But wait–have you ever perused those rough, unedited diaries? They often contain explicit details, emotions, thoughts, i.e. MEANING. These are the qualities anyone striving to write continually seeks. Searching for the right word to show and involve a reader. Every writer who is serious strives for this and languishes when it eludes them. But when you write in a journal–away from your manuscript–of your despair OR your elation, you are writing with meaning and integrity! You don’t edit, check grammar or spelling. You put raw, authentic feelings on the page. You write the details that caused either despair or joy. You freely write because after all, only you will ever see your entry. In the journal, there are no boundaries, rules, correct format to follow. YOU WRITE WITH UNBRIDLED FEELING LOADED WITH MEANING. That, writing friend, is the REAL you!
Now, go back and read what you wrote. This is the third step. Let’s say you’re writing a novel and both your protagonist and antagonist need to show meaning and significance to their actions. Skim your journal entries. Then let your characters convey what you feel and the meaning it has. Your reader will absorb this candor and authenticity and get the MEANING.
If you are putting out non-fiction, such as a memoir or a true story, again, refer to the raw and authentic journal entries.
Readers of all genres appreciate heartfelt meaning and honesty they can relate to and–they will remember what you wrote because it meant something to them.
We wish you every success in being a writer who dares to write with integrity and meaning. We have found this method to be successful and hope it will work for you.
Judy Kukuruza’s book “One Body, Many Souls” can be found on Amazon at https://amzn.to/2FuA241; Their website is at https://onebodymanysouls.com/. Their blog is at https://wolvescrowsandspirituality.home.blog.