Purposefulness in Writing

Today, we're talking about something I think we all dread, even if it's only a little bit… being purposeful. 

A lot of writers fear this word because it can feel like an accusation. It feels like you're being told you failed to create something good. And maybe if you've become hardened, you might even think the act of being purposeful is against the nature of an artist and that writing should be free of overanalyzation. 

However, neither of these mindsets are helpful, and if you find yourself falling into these traps, or perhaps creating your unique mixture of poisonous thoughts, please keep reading.

Writing and storytelling are not only a medium of expression and artistry, they are a practice that invites you to hone your skills. Being purposeful while writing is hard and requires an intense attention to detail. But like all tools, purpose can be exercised, and this blog post will serve as a guide on how to start working those muscles.  

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Defining

Purpose, the noun, is an intention to achieve or acquire.

Purposeful, the adjective, means that something has meaning and, more importantly, that meaning indicates or provides support for the larger plan or design.

To be purposeful while writing means that an author pays astute attention to not only what they are applying meaning to, but why they are applying meaning to it, and how that meaning aims to accomplish the overall themes of the narrative. 

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How This Applies to Literature 

By defining these words, you have an explanation AND an example. Every element of a literary work can carry meaning; your choice of words is no exception. The level of intentionality you apply to your work is up to you! Consider it a challenge to find ways to insert meaning even within the smallest of spaces. 

Writers often take the Core Concept of description as instruction to describe everything. However, when thinking purposefully, how does mentioning every detail give meaning to a story? It doesn't, and doing so overshadows all the work you put into the information that matters. Because of the lack of purpose in choosing what to describe and when, this common mistake washes your goals into a sea of words. Instead, think of how details can move the story forward.

Example questions to ask yourself:

• Does this connect to the larger narrative, or is this a throwaway comment?

• How can I connect this to the story?

• What information does this description provide?

• Will this detail matter in the future?

• What does it say about a character to notice this detail? 

No matter which Core Concept or literary element you're using, some form of these questions can be helpful in creating purpose. The example questions ask you to explain how your decisions will affect that larger picture and, in turn, reveal purpose. Asking yourself questions, free of your own judgment, is ultimately how you become a better writer. When you question your writing, don't be afraid to find holes or blind spots: that's how you grow! 

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Visualization

Although questions help authors find out more about their stories, that method may not be everyone's favorite. Another way to think about purpose is to visualize it in some type of metaphor. I like to think about my writing as a mystery or an escape room. And when I'm really confused about the aim of my story, you can imagine I look like that meme of Charlie from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, in front of a bulletin board with pictures and the strings. 

Yeah, on a bad day, this is me. 

However, this helps me imagine what purpose means to me and how I will apply it. In my vision, all stories, regardless of genre, are like mysteries and puzzles that were carefully crafted. This visual metaphor allows me to break down my own writing in a way that separates the rules and judgment into something fun and challenging.

You could also put this method on paper. Sometimes for visualizers, it's not enough to think about things. Don't be afraid to physically create a map of ideas—the less like Charlie, the better! Creating purpose can be exciting and you don't have to apply rigid questions or follow some type of rubric to do so. This isn't school, it's your journey as a writer. 

Final Thoughts

Purpose is about thinking and following through. Take a deep breath, allow for the string of connections to form within your story, and don't be shocked that this skill isn't perfect overnight. It takes many stories, wins, and failures to develop an eye for purpose. But you've got this.

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About the author: My name is Devyn Daniele, a junior at Smith College. I received my associate degree in English Literature from Naugatuck Valley Community College and plan to complete my BA in English and Film Studies from Smith College. I currently have a total of ten poems published in two separate editions of the Fresh Ink magazine, and I am working on submitting my screenplays to different film festivals.