Writing Entertaining Stories is Not Enough; They Need Purpose

Recently, I started writing stories about my dog. Seems natural since retiring. I spend more and more time with her, Dagney. Because of the bond we share, I notice her attention to detail, her enthusiasm for simple activities, her protective nature, and her humorous behaviors. So much pleasure comes from our interactions. Stories sharing the experiences formed in my mind and then took shape on the page. While rereading the tales, I laughed and at the end of many of the stories discovered lessons Dagney taught me about life.

Books truly can’t be judged by their covers, but if there is a dog on the cover, my curiosity is sparked. I would venture to say this is true for many readers. Dogs hold a special place in our hearts. They become members of our family who teach us responsibility and show us how to love. Most humans love dogs; they are woman’s best friends. A wealth of stories revolve around dogs: Sounder, Where the Red Fern Grows, A Dog’s Purpose, Lady and the Tramp, and who could forget Lassie. If you just read through the list of titles and memories triggered emotions, you understand.

However, what makes each of the above stories endearing and classics is they leave the reader with a lesson. Years after reading each, the characters remain in our memories but the lessons they teach are forever engraved on our hearts.

After writing several articles about dogs, I started noticing the ones that received the most attention left the reader with a message or approached a topic from a new angle. To understand the success of some narratives over others, I think I have stumbled onto a plausible idea. Below are five stories that have been published and enjoyed by readers.

Each one provides a lesson for me as a writer and may provide something to think about for writers wondering how to hook and engage readers.

Tell a story

She Believes She Can Fly

Often articles are expository, attempting to teach or explain. These can offer valuable information but also are bland and uninspiring. Begin the narrative with an anecdote to hook readers’ interests with descriptive settings, exciting events, and realistic characters. Then weave the lesson subtly into the story so it leaves the reader thinking. Take the approach of the fairy tales that capture the reader’s attention and then state the message, much more engaging.

Offer strategies to success

Put Your Needs First to Help Others

Suggestions are freely handed out by many authors but how to apply the suggestions is often not as clear. When sharing ideas, back them up with a strategy.

Change the point of view

Dagney's Thoughts on Pooping

Every page of the internet offers advice, and everybody thinks they are an expert. However, writers who want to try something new and have a little fun can change the point of view. Don’t pretend you have all the answers. Instead, allow the source to share the lesson. In this article, Dagney tells her own story and threads throughout it researched information to support her claims.

Make information relevant

If You Want Something, Speak Up

Readers want to connect to the characters in a story, even if the main character is an animal. In an age of self-help philosophies, articles that show to readers how to increase their mental health and happiness are popular. Link the activities in the story to the reader. Go beyond telling a story and reveal the relevancy to the reader.

Share visuals

Dagney Guided Cisco on His First Ocean Visit

Pictures get noticed. Don’t just tell in words but show images. When appropriate, add photos, graphs, or illustrations to the narrative. These hold a reader’s attention and keep them scrolling.

Writing stories is fun and entertaining, but stories that share a clear purpose seem to resonate with curators.