Let’s talk about writing goals.

I’m not referring to how many words you’ll write in a day or how many months you’ll allow yourself for writing that next great literary masterpiece.

Let’s consider the question: “Why do you write?” in the first place.

Some say it frees inner anxieties and helps work out problems, in much the same way as journaling.

Others may see it as a future money maker. Hum…

Still others view writing as a way of sharing information or the story of their journey through difficult times in an effort to help others facing similar circumstances.

Let’s go with the idea of helping others.

The next decision would be whether that would be best accomplished through fiction or non-fiction.

If one can share from real life experience, that would be the most powerful.

If not, can the same message be conveyed via fiction?

I believe it can—and I believe, if well-written, it can be just as powerful.

That means doing a little research on the subject at hand, and perhaps reading a couple of non-fiction books on the subject. You can then use the facts to weave a meaningful story with realistic characters.

I am currently writing a fiction book about bullying. As a former counselor, I know some of the facts. I can even recall situations that were shared with me. But, I still found it necessary to do some further research on the internet and interview a few people so that I could create characters and circumstances that would be believable—and that readers will connect with.

Finally, each time I write, I need to get in what I call the “emotional zone” so that I can write from the perspective of the person being bullied.

My writing goal?

To use my character’s emotional journey to help others vicariously experience the pain bullying causes and then join the effort to erase it from our culture.