The Key to Compelling Content: Interiority

In writing circles, there's a concept called “interiority.” It refers to a character or narrator revealing their inner world — their feelings, thoughts, and struggles.

I would’ve assumed I wouldn’t be able to do this because I’ve always felt like a guy who doesn't have access to his emotions. When someone asks how I'm doing or how I'm feeling, my default is, “I don't know. I'm fine.” It's tough for me to pinpoint my feelings as I go about my day.

But a friend of mine, a talented writer helping me with my work, pointed out that I do this well in my writing. We were discussing a popular memoir, where the author highlighted the importance of interiority. My friend noted that many coaches, consultants, and entrepreneurs lack this depth, making their content boring.

When I work with clients, one of the most valuable things I do is listen for those moments that hint at a deeper reaction or emotional state. During conversations, when we are generating ideas for content, stories, or emails, a client will say something that makes me stop them and dig deeper. It’s an intuitive process for me now, but I’ve been trying to figure out how to help others do this for themselves.

What I’ve realized is that interiority is key. When you capture the inner struggles and emotions, it makes your content more interesting and engaging. I’ve been closely observing content on Instagram since I reactivated my account a few weeks ago, and the boring stuff lacks this depth. There's no insight into what’s going on inside the creator as they think about their topic.

Of course, you can’t always dive deep into your inner world in every piece you write. But to keep people interested and engaged, you need to use interiority. It’s what makes popular characters in fiction more compelling and complex. It’s what could make you more compelling and complex.

I’ll keep exploring this and share more insights as I have them. For now, give it a shot. Let your audience see a bit more of your inner world and watch your influence grow.