Step 1 to Writing Your Novel. Why Your “Why” Matters: Unlocking the Heart of Your Story.

Why Your “Why” Matters: Unlocking the Heart of Your Story

When we sit down to write a story, we’re often drawn in by a spark of inspiration—an idea, a scene, a character. But what lies beneath that spark? Why is this spark of inspiration coming out in a story instead of the many other ways you could express yourself? Understanding your "why" can make the difference between a story that’s simply written and a story that feels truly alive. It makes the difference between a nice read and a book that changed your life. And yes, fiction can definitely change someone’s life.

Let’s dive into why your “why” is so crucial and how to use it to create a story that is as impactful for your audience as it is for you.

1. Why Your "Why" Is Important When You’re Writing a Story

When you understand why you're writing, it’s easier to stay motivated and focused. Writing a book is a journey, often filled with doubts, rewrites, unexpected challenges, and staring at the ceiling wondering why you became a writer. Having a clear "why" acts as a guiding star through those tougher days, helping you persevere and stay true to the core of your story and yourself. It’s what turns writing from a task into a mission.

Your "why" might be deeply personal or widely relatable. Maybe you want to explore a theme that resonates with you, like redemption, good vs evil, or finding one’s identity. Or perhaps your story is a way to shed light on a social issue or give voice to an underrepresented perspective like Rebecca Yarros in Fourth Wing with her representation with Violet Sorrengail who has a chronic illness. Whatever it is, identifying this purpose provides a steady anchor for the journey ahead.

2. How Your "Why" Influences Your Story

Your "why" doesn’t just keep you grounded—it directly influences the story you tell, shaping every aspect of your work. When you’re clear on why you’re writing, you naturally make choices that support that purpose.

For example:

• Plot Choices: Your “why” can help you shape the events of the story, guiding what conflicts your characters face and what resolutions are meaningful.

• Character Development: Knowing why you’re telling this story can inspire characters with deeper motivations and backgrounds that align with your purpose.

• Theme: If your why is about helping your child be courageous even in the face of fear that is going to show up in your theme, this theme will weave through your story organically, creating consistency and depth.

When your story choices align with your core purpose, readers feel it. They connect with a story that feels intentional and grounded, and they resonate more deeply with characters who feel purposeful and complex.

3. Your Why is Perfect for Building Trust with your Target Audience

 Your “why” isn’t just the heart of your story—it’s also the cornerstone of your book’s marketing strategy. Readers connect deeply with stories that feel intentional and authentic, and your “why” provides the emotional thread that ties your book to your audience. When you understand why you wrote your story, you can articulate its purpose in a way that resonates with readers, helping them see how your book aligns with their values, interests, or struggles. This starts a conversation instead of a sales pitch. This connection builds trust and excitement, turning casual browsers into loyal fans who not only read your book but recommend it to others. In short, your “why” transforms your marketing from selling a product to sharing a passion.

4. Why Asking Yourself “Why Are You the Best Person to Write This Story?” Is Important

A powerful question to ask yourself is, “Why am I the best person to write this story?” Answering this can take your understanding of your story to a new level.

This question invites you to consider what unique experiences, insights, or passions you bring to the table. Perhaps your personal experiences lend a certain authenticity to your characters, or your background provides an inside perspective on a setting, theme, or conflict. Knowing what you personally bring to the story gives it a special flavor and depth that no one else could recreate in quite the same way.

For example, Rebecca Yarros, author of Fourth Wing, shares the same genetic condition as her main character, Violet, giving her a unique insight into the physical and mental challenges Violet faces. This personal experience allows Yarros to portray Violet’s struggles with authenticity, adding depth and realism to the character.

4. How to Delve into Your "Why" and Take Your Story Deeper

Once you’ve identified your why, let’s explore how to use it to add depth to your storytelling. Here are some exercises to try:

• Journaling Through Your "Why": Write down why this story matters to you, then ask yourself why that answer is important. Keep questioning your responses until you reach the core reason. This deeper understanding can reveal insights that add new layers to your story.

Let’s go through this exercise.

I am writing this book because I want kids especially my granddaughter to be safe on boats.

Why? Because so many kids are riding on boats without their life jackets.

Why? Life jackets are uncomfortable and hot. Kids complain and parents give in. Kids and parents are not educated enough to know how vital life jackets are. We also don’t communicate to kids properly to give them choice and buy in.

Why is that so important to me? Because the way I was raised is that you do what the parent says or else there are bad repercussion. So I sat down, shut up, and resented my parents.  And as soon as I was out of their view, I was doing things my own way. It encouraged rebellion when I was out of their eyes. There was no room for curiosity.

I saw a different way of parenting from my son. He listens and validates my granddaughter’s big emotions. He educates and offers choice. And because I adopted that, my granddaughter has chosen to always wear her life vest when we are on the boat. I believe that if more parents were to communicate with their kids that way, the kids would be empowered to make safe boating choice themselves. 

Do you see how different this book will be now that they authors has looked deeper into her why? Instead of a story about boating safety this is now a story about empowering children to make their own good decisions.

• Imagining Your Story Through a Different Lens: Picture how another writer might handle your story. What would they miss that you uniquely understand? Identifying these differences can reinforce your sense of purpose, reminding you of the unique perspective and authenticity you bring.

It’s amazing how people don’t understand their strengths and uniqueness. Looking at your story through another person’s eyes, like a favorite author, best friend, or family member helps you to see why you are the best person to write this book.

My client above is the best person to write this book because she has been boating for a long time, she has experience of being parented and parenting her children in an authoritarian way. She has seen another way of communicating with kids and accepted it as the better way of communicating. She has the humility to admit when she is wrong. 

• Connecting With Your Audience’s "Why": Think about why your story matters to others. How might your "why" connect with their experiences, fears, hopes, or dreams? Knowing this connection can help you build in elements that resonate with your readers, deepening their connection with the story.

My client was able to connect with both the child and parent in this story, seeing from both their perspectives. The child who has the big emotions for having to something she doesn’t want to do and the empowering feeling of being given choice. She is also able to speak to the adults who want to keep their kids safe but don’t want the fight the entire day they are on the boat. 

So get to it. Get out a piece of paper. These things come out better when you put pen to paper. Journal through your why. Ask the questions

Why are you writing this story? Keep asking yourself why until you get to the core.

Why are you the best person to write this story?

How would your story look different if someone else wrote it?

Why does my audience want this story?

Share your why’s with me at elyse.j.seal@gmail.com or @elyse.j.seal on Instagram. I would love to hear the deeper meaning in your book.