Writing for Influence

Bill and Pam Farrel spend much of their time writing, speaking, and changing lives — they know what it means to write for influence.  By popular demand, I’m posting the notes of Bill’s dynamic and popular “Writing for Influence” workshop presented at the Ezra Center for Excellence. This was the sequel to ”The Servant Writer“  workshop (which inspired this website).  Both workshops emphasized that servant writers do not merely write for themselves; they write primarily because they have a calling to improve lives — their writing serves the needs of others. If you think you are called to be a “Servant Writer” and want to “Write for Influence,” here are some basic assumptions:

• You have an interest in writing
• You have honed your basic writing skills
• You are not afraid of criticism
• You think writing may be a part of God’s plan for your life

As you can imagine, this writing workshop got to the core of the issue.  Its purpose was to paint a panorama rather than to explore the small intricacies of the craft. Here are the key points:

Keys to Writing for Influence

1. Identify your message:

• What is the thought that causes you to lose sleep?
• What makes you mad?
• What is the obstacle in people’s lives?
• What does it take to change one’s legacy?
• How can we help others be the best they can be?

2. Learn to stir the heart:

• “Make them laugh, cry, or sit on the edge of their sits” (theme of Universal Studios).  Emotion breathes energy.
• Answer real questions.
• Tell stories. Work hard to build stories that touch people; tell stories of redemption and hope.
• Work towards a punch line. Provide illustrations, quotes from your research, etc.

3. Tell people how:

• We are very good at the what, but we need to provide the how — then it is up to them (your audience) to decide whether to go for it or not.
• People’s lives change when they decide to act on what they know. Start in the little things. Move them to where they are now.

“Emotion breathes energy; decisions follow emotions.”  Bill Farrel

Bill and Pam’s latest book, The Marriage Code will change marriages and lives.  Stay tuned for the upcoming interview.