Writing for Enrichment

Writing is a two-way flow.  It provides ideas, inspiration and awareness to readers and it provides growth and opportunity for writers.  Writing enriches both readers and writers by challenging us to explore our world.  The best writing provides the best enrichment much like the best diet provides the best nutrition.  As a writer, your duty is to enrich the lives of your readers - a task not to be taken lightly.  You have tremendous power and influence as a writer and using that impact effectively can be a daunting task.  There are several things you can do to make sure that your writing maximally enriches the lives of your readers.

• Know your audience.  Writers often hear this vague advice, but don't have any guidance on how to accomplish it.  Being an avid reader yourself is the first step in understanding what readers need and want.  This means that you read widely and well in the genre you want to write in.  If you're writing historical fiction, for example, read historical fiction extensively. Understand what readers want and expect in this genre by understanding what you want and expect when you read it.  Secondly, read advice and instruction on how to write in that genre to understand what skills you need and what elements you need to incorporate into your writing. If the genre you're writing in requires a factual base that is driven by plot more than character development, for example, make sure you are aware of that and know how to execute it. Be a student of your craft.

• Write with emotion.  This doesn't mean peppering your language with blubbery, affected language.  It means getting to the heart of your message or story so that readers get the point and see things from a new perspective.  If you're writing about a particular event, for example, write from the perspective of a participant readers don't usually hear or know about.  Give readers a different lens from which to view a common situation.  Try to change readers' attitudes by offering them alternative viewpoints.  Use strong, direct language to get readers' attention and challenge them to think or feel a different way.  If you write with emotion, readers will feel that emotion and respond to it.

• Make it real.  No matter what genre or type of writing you're attempting, research is critical. You have to know what you're writing about to make it realistic and believable for readers. Your credibility as a writer is critical to your ability to impact your readers. Whether you're writing fiction, non-fiction or poetry, readers need to feel that you know your subject matter and have a realistic sense of what any particular scene, event or character is about.  Without this credibility, readers will miss your message entirely.  They will be too disappointed to care about your message because your presentation of it isn't plausible.  Do your research and be prepared to deliver your story or message in the most realistic, knowledgeable way possible.

• Have a clear message.  Know your purpose for writing a particular piece.  Is it to enlighten readers, to educate them, to change them or inspire them?  Know exactly what you want to accomplish with your writing and then select those specific elements to include in your writing. For example, if your purpose is to help readers understand the stress of a particular event you're writing about, then choose specific descriptors and details that will communicate that stress. Target your writing to directly accomplish your message and eliminate anything that does not contribute to that message.  This means keeping your purpose at the forefront of your composition process and referring to it frequently as you compose and edit.  If your message is confusing, your readers will be confused.  If it's vague, your readers won't get it.  Be clear, be direct, and always be mindful of your purpose as you write.

Writing for enrichment will make the process more enjoyable and meaningful for both you and your readers.  Taking the time to understand who you're writing to, what your purpose is, and how best to accomplish that purpose will mean the difference between weak, ineffective writing and strong, creative, influential writing.  Writing is more than an exercise in expression.  It is, at its best, a life-changing experience.