Writing the Message

The message is the muscle in writing. While form and style are important logistically and even artistically, they only create the skeleton around which the muscle wraps itself. It's the message, executed perfectly with honesty and skill, that provides the power in a piece of writing. A writer is well-served to pay attention to structural issues because they're important. But they aren't everything. And a well delivered message that ignores traditions of form and style will still resonate with readers. Conversely, a structurally, technically perfect piece of writing can fall flat if the message isn't there. Message, in writing, is everything. Readers are faintly aware of form and style as they read an essay, novel, short story or poem. But that's not what carries them through the piece. That's not what engages them and makes them want to keep reading, makes them wish the piece would never end. It's the message that does all that. A message that gets to the heart of the issues gets to the heart of readers. It packs a powerful punch and it, above all else, determines whether a piece of writing is memorable or forgettable. So keep your message always at the forefront of your writing. Pay attention to form and style and tradition, but not so much that you forget your message. Say what you need to say. Say it as well as you can in the way that feels right to say it, and forget about all the rest. If you write from the heart, the structure will take care of itself.