Getting a Message Through to Readers (Without Preaching)
- Kayjah Taylor
- Jul 19
- 2 min read
Great stories carry great messages.
One of my favorite things about fiction is the ability it gives authors to explore and touch on important messages. The message can be about love, grief, hope, mental health, justice, identity, and so much more.
The only thing authors may struggle with is how to convey those ideas without it sounding like a college lecture.
Start your story with STORY, not with a statement.
Although the message of your story is important, it is secondary to the plot. Your readers pick up the book for the characters. They want to immerse themselves in realistic characters, emotional scenes, and tension. Your message is meant to aid the story, not ot drive it forward. The example below paints a picture of what mindset you should start your story with.
Instead of writing about "a story about grief."
Write about "a woman who chases her home after it washes away with all her memories in a storm."
Let different character beliefs drive the message forward.
Your characters are meant to struggle, with their environment and with each other. Giving your characters different angles and points of view will help you explore your message. Disagreements and doubts will happen. They are meant to happen, and the way your characters change as a result will show your message.
This will also help your readers to experience the message rather than to receive it through dictation, which brings us to the next point.
Your readers are smart.
Too many sources will tell you, give as much detail as possible. This is one instance where you should trust your readers and their level of intelligence.
You don't want to give everything away. Utilize writing strategies such as metaphors. Leave space for your readers to interpret what will happen.
You can make your readers feel the message without quite telling them.
Last but not least, don't preach.
A story that explains everything is no fun. Some of my favorite books left an impact on me that I may never recover from. The subtlety of the message makes it hit harder. It leaves room for the reader to assume, and I LOVE to assume, or draw my conclusions.
As always, thank you all for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful Saturday! Write on, lovelies <3
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