This guest post is by Meghan Tschanz. Meghan is a writer, finishing up her first book about the women around the world who changed her life, and an advocate of social justice, changing the world with her writing. Click here to download her free report, 11 Things Wikipedia Won't Tell You About the Sex Trade. You can follow her on her blog, Painted Orange, and on Facebook.

Why are we here? I mean, have you really ever thought about it? Not in a passing way, like what you are going to get at the grocery store tonight, but in a deep, earth-shattering way?

I have been thinking about this question for a long time. I have this feeling that we aren’t hapless creations put on the earth to eat, talk, and die. I feel like we were put here for a purpose, to make it better. We are here to change the world.

5 Ways to Change the World with Your Writing

We Want to Change the World

Most people can agree with this is one way or another. We try to be good people and want to contribute something to this earth that goes far beyond us; something that lasts longer than the amount of breaths we take.

I think you get it, and that is why you're here at The Write Practice. You want to leave something that adds value to the world, something that lasts.

The Struggle to Create Something of Value

But you’re struggling because sometimes it feels like the world doesn't want what you have to offer. You feel like no one cares what you write, so what’s the point?

I get it, I’ve been there. I have been frustrated by people’s apathy and my own inability to communicate the importance of something that matters to me.

But what I have also learned, with resounding hope, is that my writing does make a difference.

Your Writing Does Change the World

Every once in a while, in between the blog posts with no comments or shares, I get an email from one of my readers telling me that I inspired them; that because of something I had written they did something bold, adventurous, and good.

I’ve had readers get involved in the fight against sex-trafficking, readers reconcile lost relationships. Shoot, I’ve even had readers pack up their bags and move to foreign countries to help the poor.

All because I wrote.

When I was a little girl I thought I could change the world with my writing. Now that I am a woman I know that I can. (Share that on Twitter?)

And I believe you can, too.

How to Change the World With Your Writing

Here are five tips I've found inspire the most world change:

1. Write about what matters.

The world has enough gossip, enough chatter about temporary things. Does it really matter what Kim Kardashian wore (or didn’t wear) yesterday? How is that contributing to society as a whole? What does it show us that we value as a culture?

It is time that we start reading and writing things that matter. Let’s fill our time and thoughts with things that make the world a better place.

2. Write with passion.

Not everything is going to get your blood pumping, not every cause is one that you need to champion. Ask yourself what cause you are really passionate about.

Is it the plight of the orphan or the widow?

Is it global warming?

Find out what you really care about and write with conviction. When you do, people can tell, and they may just get on board with your cause.

3. Speak the language of your readers.

I may be really passionate about seeing the sex-trade come to an end, but if I use terms that no one understands, or if I write with anger, nobody is going to want to get behind the cause. Sometimes I am tempted to deliver a few choice words to those who purchase sex, informing them of what exactly their purchase is doing.

But you can’t change hearts with hate, only love can do that. I’ve found that my most powerful blogs identify with both the victim and the perpetrator. If we really want to see change, we have to persuade people to open their minds. We must be gentle and firm and the same time.

Be sure to say things in a way that people need to hear them, not necessarily in the way that you want to say them.

4. Make Your Choices Count

I have this theory, that everyone, everywhere is constantly changing the world.

With what you say and how you say it, with what you do and how you do it. You are changing the world as we speak, are you making it better or worse?

5. Give Actionable steps.

Encourage your reader with actionable steps. Now that you have them fired up about the cause you're passionate about, they're left asking, Now what? What do I do with my new found passion?

This is where you give your reader actionable steps.

Tell them to research the cause themselves and provide them with links to get them started. Show them ways they can get involved by traveling to certain region or donating to a cause. Give examples of how you inspired change. Tell heartfelt stories of how your passion has affected the world for the better.

If you did it they can too!

What are you passionate about? How are you going to change the world with your writing? Let us know in the comments section below.

PRACTICE

Think about something that recently moved you to emotion. Write about what made you feel that way. Why does this subject matter? How does it make you feel? Write with passion about things that matter while speaking your audience’s language. Remind them that they have the power to change the world.

Write for fifteen minutes. When you're finished, post your practice in the comments section. And if you post, be sure to give feedback to your fellow writers.

This article is by a guest blogger. Would you like to write for The Write Practice? Check out our guest post guidelines.

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