„Purpose“ can be defined as the intention to achieve a long-term goal that makes an impact on the world and gives some meaning to your life. Purpose should motivate you and give you a good reason to get up in the morning. Unfortunately, what is often called the “third age” of your life (typically characterized by end of career, end of parenting, or both) can be brutally void of purpose and we may now decide to fill the void and create a new version of ourselves through writing.
My question is this. If I decide to give myself a purpose in life by writing, what purpose does my writing actually serve? Should all writers, regardless of their age, be asking themselves this very question and concern themselves with instilling a purpose of some kind in their efforts or is it enough to say that the story’s only purpose is simply to exist? Let me put the question another way. Should all fiction writing have to have some message or purpose to be worthy of existence? For example, should writers concern themselves with educating or enlightening readers?
For me, it is enough if my books make readers think. Yes, most writers create novels to entertain and/or to inspire and there is no question that I write them with the purpose of touching others or of challenging their perspectives.
Apparently, research indicates that having purpose (and inspired by something bigger than yourself) allows you to be persistent and resilient when you experience setbacks. When you see that your writing contributes to others, in a unique way, you might appreciate the value of what you do and this will be the foundation for your passion to write at whatever age you find yourself.
Thoughts and Words 