Writing for Change: How Motivational Writing is Different (guest post)

C.C. King
Jan 13
5 min read

Some stories entertain. Some help us escape. And some—quietly or boldly—ask us to change.

Woman with long hair smiles subtly, wearing a denim jacket, standing against a light wooden background. Calm and relaxed mood. — Author Nina Amir

As a writer, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about intention: what we hope our words will do once they leave our hands. Whether we’re writing fiction or nonfiction, many of us are driven by a desire to connect, to resonate, and—sometimes—to move readers toward a new way of seeing the world.

That’s why I’m so pleased to welcome Nina Amir, author of Change the World One Book at a Time, to the blog today.

In her guest post, Nina explores what makes writing for change fundamentally different from other kinds of writing—and why motivation, intention, and an understanding of how people actually change matter so much on the page.

If you’re curious about how stories can spark transformation, how characters model change for readers, or how your own writing might create a ripple effect beyond the final page, this post offers plenty to think about.

Without further ado, here's Nina!

—CC

What Makes Writing for Change Different?

by Nina Amir

You’ve decided you want to write a book that inspires and motivates your readers to change personally or participate in some sort of cause, mission, or movement. That’s great. However, you can’t write and publish a book—or even an essay, blog post, or article—and assume your words will move your readers to action. Writing for change requires an intentional approach.

Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, if you want your book to create change in lives, communities, organizations, countries, or the world, you must first understand what makes people change. Then, you can apply that knowledge as you write.

Know Where Your Readers Are in the Change Process

Change is a process, and your readers are at different stages of that process. However, you want your readers to do something different. For that to happen, you have to know where they are in the process.

Cycle diagram of "Stages of Change" with six segments: Precontemplation, Contemplation, Preparation, Action, Maintenance, Termination.

Renowned psychologists James O. Prochaska and Carlo C. DiClemente developed the Stages of Change Model, a framework explaining how people make lasting behavioral changes. This model outlines five key stages people move through when changing behavior:

Precontemplation
Contemplation
Preparation
Action
Maintenance

Let’s say your readers are in the precontemplation stage; they are getting ready to be ready to change. You can’t write a book that asks them to take a large leap into change, like beginning an exercise routine or changing their leadership style. First, your book must help readers get to the contemplation and preparation stages. Only when they are at the preparation stage will they be likely to take action.

Does that mean you need to write more than one book to move readers in the direction of change? Maybe. Or your book has to move them from one stage to another, chapter by chapter.

If you write fiction or memoir, your story must demonstrate how the protagonist, and possibly other characters, move from stage to stage until they act and transform. This illustration of how change can happen allows them to see it’s possible for themselves. This is especially true if they see themselves in the main character.

Know How and Why People Change

To write for change, you also need to understand what makes people become someone different, develop new habits and mindsets, and take new actions. How do your readers change, or how can you move your readers toward change? Why do they want to change, and why would they change?

A hand points at colorful wooden signs on a trail. Nearby, blue sneakers, an open book, iced drink, and burger on the ground. Warm sunset glow.

It’s not always a life-threatening situation that makes a person stop smoking, give up red meat, or try Dry January. Sometimes, that circumstance makes no difference to them.

They may know they “need” or “should” change, but they still don’t want to.

As a writer, you must find ways to change their perspective and make them desire change... even commit to being someone or doing something different. You must move them along the change process.

Sometimes people become motivated to change out of necessity, but they can know they need to change and still not want to. You have to drive up their desire for change.

To Write for Change, You Must be Different

To write for change, you can’t be any ol’ writer. Become a change agent. Be a writer who authors change.

For that to happen, become intimately acquainted with change. First, explore how you change…or don’t change. This understanding helps you understand your readers’ feelings towards change.

Research how people change and what makes them more likely to change. Read books about habits, mindset, and transformation. Study the best coaches and the strategies they use to move people to new action. Learn about influence, persuasion, and neurolinguistic programming (NLP).

Then employ this knowledge in your writing craft. Intentionally write in a manner that motivates people to change.

Hands hold an open book over a glowing water surface at sunset, with floating orbs showing people in various joyful interactions.

Worth Every Word

Writing for change may seem difficult, but the effort is worth every word written. After all, if you become someone who successfully writes for change—an “Author of Change,” your words will make a positive and meaningful difference in your readers' lives. Additionally, you can write books that impact family, communities, organizations, political systems, and the world.

Start writing for change with one reader in mind. Know who they are, why they might pick up a book about change, and what it will take to move them to action. Then, apply your newfound expertise in the change process to your work.

Pursue your mission, cause, or movement by writing for change. Write and publish in a manner that is intentionally meant to spark change. Then, watch as your books create a ripple effect of transformation.

Are you prepared to write for change? Tell me in a comment below.

—Nina

About the Guest Blogger

Nina Amir, the Inspiration to Creation Coach, is an Amazon bestselling hybrid author. She supports writers on the journey to successful authorship as an Author Coach, nonfiction developmental editor, Transformational Coach, and Certified High Performance Coach (CHPC®)—the only one working with writers.

Open book emitting light on a purple background. Text reads: Change the World One Book at a Time. Author: Nina Amir. Mood: Inspirational.

Nina’s most recent book, Change the World One Book at a Time: Make a Positive and Meaningful Difference with Your Words, was released on January 6, 2026, by Books that Save Lives. Find it on sale at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Bookshop. You can also add this title to your GoodReads reading list.

Previously, Nina wrote three traditionally published books for aspiring authors—How to Blog a Book, The Author Training Manual, and Creative Visualization for Writers. Additionally, she has self-published a host of books and ebooks, including the Write Nonfiction NOW! series of guides. She has had 19 books on the Amazon Top 100 List and as many as six books on the Authorship bestseller list at the same time.

Nina also coordinates the San Francisco Writers Conference Personal Growth for Writers track and the Writing for Change Summit. She also offers a conference scholarship for nonfiction writers writing for change.