Edited by Clarissa Schmieg

Writing in the Modern Age: 

OK, let's talk about it: how we write has significantly changed in today's fast-paced digital world. With the rise of technology and the widespread use of the internet, writers have an array of tools at their disposal to help improve their writing and connect with a broader audience. With concerns about writer authenticity, it's essential to recognize these advancements' positive impact and learn how to utilize them to our benefit. 

Let's explore how writers can embrace these modern advancements to hone their skills and make an impact in writing in today's era.

Embracing Online Communities for Writers 

Online platforms have opened up opportunities for writers of all genres. From personal blogs to social media platforms, writers can now easily share their thoughts and stories with a bigger audience. Through these platforms, we can get other opinions from others and get creative ideas. Websites like Reddit, Scribophile, and Critique Circle are websites you can go to for feedback on any ideas that you have and want to share.

• Reddit is a social news forum and discussion website. Users can submit content, such as text posts or direct links, to categories called "subreddits." These subreddits cover a wide range of topics, including writing. Writers often use Reddit to share their work for feedback, discuss writing techniques, and connect with other writers.

• Scribophile is an online writing community where writers can submit their work to receive critiques from other members. It operates on a "karma" system, where users earn points by critiquing the work of others. They can then use these points to post their writing for feedback. Scribophile offers a platform for writers to improve through constructive criticism and interaction.

• Critique Circle is another online writing community focused on providing input and support to writers. It operates on a critique system, where members earn credits by critiquing the work of others, which they can then use to receive critiques on their writing. Critique Circle offers features such as forums, writing exercises, and workshops to help writers practice their skills.

• The Write Practice and Catapult help with creativity and inspiration. The Write Practice is an online platform designed to help writers improve their craft through regular practice and feedback. Catapult is a literary website and publishing platform that offers writing classes, workshops, and resources for aspiring and emerging writers. It also hosts online courses taught by experienced writers and publishing professionals.

As someone falling back in love with the craft of writing, these are great tools to utilize if you're away from like-minded individuals who you can feed off of in person. Having a sense of community is a beautiful feeling, which can help you stay motivated on your writing journey. So, please look at some of these sites and see how they help you get your creative juices flowing.

Technology 

In the last 20 years, the scope of technology has significantly changed, from the introduction of the iPhone to the rise of smart homes, changing not only how we live but how we communicate. So, with all of this technology that has evolved naturally, writing has to adapt to this as well. With tech such as tablets, laptops, and even voice recording we can easily write and save our writings at the touch of a button. This was a different reality in the past when writers had to use paper and pencil or the typewriter, could you imagine the frustration of getting a hand cramp from writing so long, or the annoyance of misspelling a word on your typewriter and having to get a fresh new sheet of paper. Yikes. Now, you can type as the thoughts hit your head and then organize them later, and if you mess up no problem just hit backspace. With writing software that is automatically on our computers and tablets software like Google Docs, Microsoft Word offers features like cloud storage, collaboration tools, and advanced formatting options. These tools make writing more efficient and allow writers to work from anywhere and on any device. Take for example, you have a crazy busy day going on and you don't have any paper or pencil, you can whip out your phone, go to notes, hit the little microphone and it can type the words out for you. Mind blown. Integrating tech into your writing journey will only help enhance your experience and help you along as the world moves faster, allowing you to keep up. 

Social Media 

We know that social media has become a huge part of people’s daily routines. Even many businesses utilize social media to bring more awareness and traffic to them. Writers can use platforms like X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok to reach a wider audience, promote work, and create buzz about any projects being worked on. We can also share little sections of our personal lives that might give some insight into what we write and how we write, it gives our audience a chance to connect with us in a personal way. Just look at it like you’re on a writing journey and you’re allowing your audience a glimpse into what that looks like. This can also help people find their particular niche, if you’re looking for an exact read you can find different writers on different platforms. Social media’s influence extends beyond personal connections; it has also revolutionized journalism. 

Journalism in social media is ever-changing. Typical news outlets and social media users come together to share and discuss news stories in real-time. Social media platforms serve as both sources and distribution channels for news content, allowing journalists to reach many audiences at the same time. News organizations use social media to share breaking news updates, engage with audiences, and drive traffic to their websites. Social media enables citizen journalists and eyewitnesses to report firsthand accounts of events, contributing to the democratization of news coverage. However, misinformation and disinformation cause challenges, as false or misleading information can spread quickly on social media platforms. Journalists need to verify their sources and fact-check information to ensure their work is credible. Despite these challenges, social media has changed journalism and has changed the way we consume news in the digital age.

Blogging 

Blogging has become a major way for writers to hone their skills and express themselves on a vast array of topics. This is also a great way to write if writing a book isn’t the direction you would like to go in. Blogging gives a writer creative freedom to explore a wide variety of subjects.  Whether it’s a personal journal, a particular topic, or professional advice, blogs allow writers to publish their work instantly and receive feedback. This is also an excellent way to help refine your writing skills, you can create a connection with your audience, which will bring more traffic to your blog and help you build your community. Writing your thoughts on a platform that is your own is one of the best ways to express yourself and talk about the things that make you the writer you are. And let us not forget that the more eyes that your blogs get the higher the chances are for publishers to view your writing. Think of it as your resume that anyone can read. Overall, blogging gives writers plenty of options and opportunities to explore their craft without the confines of any particular subject and a chance to showcase their writing talents, while also leaving their mark in the writing world. 

Digital Publishing and The Environmental Benefits of E-Books

E-books and self-publishing have changed the game in the publishing industry, giving writers more control over their work and eliminating the usual barriers. Writers can now self-publish their books through platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing and reach a global audience without needing a literary agent or publishing deal. Now while this is a great option we must discuss the challenges of marketing and editing without the backing of a traditional publisher. On the marketing side, it may be difficult for writers to get visibility, reach their target audience, and get access to mainstream media for publicity. And then the lack of editing support can also pose challenges because while there are editing tools you’ll be missing out on feedback that can overall harm the quality of your work. While self-publishing is an amazing way to be independent, consider taking your work to a professional to ensure you’re heading in the right direction. E-books offer readers the convenience of accessing a vast library of books on their digital devices, and writers can capitalize on this trend by creating and marketing their e-books. Additionally, audiobooks have gained popularity, providing another avenue for writers to show their work and cater to audiences who prefer listening over reading. 

AI

Now we will talk about the use of AI, a very controversial topic, but there are some things we must discuss before I let you go. AI gives writers many valuable tools and resources to enhance their writing and streamline their workflow. From helping with creative ideas to helping with grammar and style, AI-powered writing assistants provide support throughout the writing process. These tools assist with tasks such as brainstorming topics which can help overcome writer’s block by presenting a variety of suggestions and spark creativity, conducting research that enhances the process by giving streamlined resources, and generating outlines can help with the foundation of what you can build upon, and suggesting improvements. AI content optimization tools can help writers mold their work towards specific audiences.  AI-powered language models can inspire creativity by generating prompts and dialogue. Using AI technologies, writers can boost productivity, improve quality, and unlock new ideas in their writing endeavors. It is something to be embraced if used the right way. 

Utilizing AI-powered tools can assist with an idea for inspiration or general outlines. But, let us not forget that as we use these tools, we use them as tools, not weapons. There are a few key things on why using AI solely isn’t a good idea; AI algorithms are biased based on the data that is in their software so if you’re using a program that is outdated the results you might get would be based on that and the facts might not be updated. So it is important for you to always do your research. Also, it is important to remember that AI is artificial intelligence which means that it cannot produce human emotion and you risk losing the entire tone of your writing. An example of this would be if you wanted to write about the grief you feel from a loved one passing, while AI would be a great tool to give you a general outline, it can’t tell you what to experience as a person or give you those descriptors that help a reader connect to the writer. Maintaining integrity as a writer is essential in this modern era because fake is becoming normal and writers can be the key to taking people to other worlds through their authentic imagination.

With a vast array of digital tools at our disposal, the possibilities for writers are endless. It's our responsibility to wield these tools ethically and creatively, ensuring that the written word continues to transport readers, challenge perspectives, and ignite imaginations. We take the tools we have been given to navigate the writing world in the digital age and write. Over the past few decades, we've been fortunate to have advancements that enhance us as writers. While we continue to embrace these advancements, we must also find the balance between using these resources and our natural creativity. As we move into the next age of writing, we will continue to push the boundaries of what it means to write. At the end of the day, there is nothing to say about the limits of a writer or what one can do with it. So grab your paper, your typewriter, or your computer and write.