Writing with a purpose: How to find your book’s deeper 'why'

When writers talk about their novels, they often lead with plot.

• “It’s about a girl who discovers she has powers…”

• “It’s a story of revenge in a small town…”

• “It’s a love triangle between a vampire, a werewolf, and an emotionally exhausted barista…”

  
  

We know what’s happening. We know who it’s about. But what is the story really about?

That’s where your deeper ‘why’ comes in.

At ThrillerFest this year, I sat in on a session that left me thinking about just that. One of the speakers said, “If you don’t know why you’re writing the story, your readers won’t either.”

It was a reminder—even for those of us who work with story structure and character arcs every day—that purpose is the secret ingredient. Not just for your readers, but for you, the writer.

what is your story’s “why”?

Your why isn’t your plot, your theme, or even your character’s goal.

It’s the emotional truth behind the story.It’s the reason the story matters.It’s the thing you’re wrestling with or trying to say through the book—whether you realize it or not.

Some writers call this the story’s “heart.” Others call it the “thesis,” “core truth,” or “central message.”I like calling it the deeper why—because it always answers this question:

Why are you really telling this story?

examples of stories with a clear “why”

Let’s look at a few examples from popular books and movies:

• The Hunger Games isn’t just about survival—it’s about resistance, sacrifice, and the human cost of power.

• Legally Blonde isn’t just a rom-com about law school—it’s about reclaiming your worth when others underestimate you.

• The Midnight Library isn’t just about exploring alternate lives—it’s about embracing this life and finding meaning even in regret.

• Encanto isn’t just about magic powers—it’s about the pressure of family expectations, the cost of being overlooked, and the courage to break inherited patterns.

These stories stick with us not just because they’re clever, but because they speak to something we feel.

why knowing your “why” helps your writing

When you uncover your story’s deeper “why,” you’ll notice some powerful shifts:

• Your plot becomes more focused

• Your character arcs feel more authentic

• Your themes emerge naturally

• Your revisions become purposeful

• Your readers connect emotionally

And maybe most importantly—you stay more connected to your own motivation. Writing gets harder when you lose sight of why you cared in the first place.

how to find your deeper “why”

If you’re not sure what your story is really about beneath the surface, try these prompts:

• What do you want your reader to feel at the end of your story?

• What personal experience, belief, or question inspired this idea?

• What transformation does your protagonist go through—and what does it mean

• What fear, wound, or truth are you exploring through your characters?

One of my favourite quick exercises is this:

“This story matters to me because…”

“By the end of this book, I want my readers to…”

Write those two sentences without editing yourself. Then sit with what you’ve uncovered.

writing with heart, not just plot

It’s easy to get caught up in beats, outlines, word count goals, and revision checklists.

But underneath it all, great stories begin with meaning.With something you care enough about to spend months—or years—bringing to life.

So ask yourself: What’s your book really about? And why does it matter to you?

When you write from that place, you’ll write something that matters to others too.