My challenge to you as you write is to find the love in what you are trying to accomplish. What do you love so much that could inspire you, motivate you, and drive you to complete this project? If love was the motivating factor behind your writing, think about how powerful that would be:
1. LOVE connects you with your passion- it adds energy and excitement to what you are doing.
2. LOVE will cause you to be real, authentic, transparent, and honest even if it doesn’t feel good because you know it will benefit the people or cause that you love.
3. LOVE will cause you to seek out the truth and research the important information that your readers need to know on a particular subject.
4. LOVE will push you to completion because you know that someone needs to read your message, your story, or your life-saving information.
5. LOVE will supply the “why” when you are frustrated and start wondering why you are even putting yourself through the process.
6. LOVE will drive you to complete every element of your project in excellence because you wouldn’t present someone you love with anything less than your best.
What is the LOVE factor behind your writing? Is it the love of God, your children, your spouse, your family, the community you are trying to help, the readers of the world, or the professionals of your industry? Is it the love of being able to create something that brings income and other resources? What you love is personal and effective in being a driving force behind your writing.
Authenticity
Merriam-Webster defines authenticity as, “real or genuine: not copied or false; true and accurate.” Allow this to be an internal check as you write, especially since you are being motivated by love. Is the information you are presenting true or fabricated? Are you simply making statements because they sound good and may get a rise out of some people or are you writing something that could have a profound, lasting effect? Are your statements based on fact or speculation? Anyone can write about something they overheard or a rumor that has been circulating. That doesn’t require any extra thought or work. However, love causes you to be diligent in making sure that what you present is honest.
It may seem that these statements would only apply to works of nonfiction, however, how many times have you read something or watched a program that was completely unoriginal, tired, and ‘played out?’ You feel cheated when you give your time and energy to something when it becomes obvious that the creator didn’t think enough of their audience to truly create something new rather than present a cheap copy. It could be tempting to use popular scenarios, phrases, and clichés but what will your reader be left with when they put your book down if that is all you offered?
Brokenness
I like the word ‘brokenness’ because it sounds like a really super-deep or spiritual way of saying humility. When you want someone to understand a particular message because you realize how important it has been to your own life that you received that message, you are getting in touch with your own brokenness. This is not a place of, “I have it all together and I know what I am talking about so you need to pay attention to whatever I’m writing.” This is a place of, “I love you. I care about those who have dealt with this particular issue. I understand how it feels; I have been there. I want to share with you how I dealt with that because I know how frustrating/confusing/painful/etc. that can be. I want to help you.”
Take a moment and think about how you can apply this principle of brokenness to your project. What connects you with your readers? What have you felt that is probably similar to what they are feeling? What information do you have that can help them?
Compassion
Brokenness and compassion go hand in hand. It is hard to be judgmental of someone when you are in touch with the fact that you were once in the very same predicament they are now in. You were once facing the same challenges that they now face. You were once just as clueless and had the same millions of questions that they have. Be honest with your readers, give them the information they need, but be compassionate while doing so. Understand that the truth often hurts, especially when someone may not be ready to fully accept it. They may not want to admit that the way they have been doing things is wrong; they may not want to learn new skills; they may not want the real answer. Part of them may not want the truth, but part of them does, and that is why they are reading your book.
Application
As you write, keep a mental check on yourself to always be genuine and honest, original, humble and compassionate.
Questions to Consider
1. What is the love behind your purpose for writing?
2. With every sentence, are you being authentic?
3. If you are using research or statements made by someone else, have you given them credit within your project?
4. Have you brought your own creativity and originality to the subject?
5. Are you empathizing with your readers and writing from a place of humility and a real desire to help?
