Dear Writers! Things are Changing

Navigating Through the Ongoing Shifts and Obstacles for a Modern Writer

Change is the only constant in life. This saying is very applicable to the dynamic landscape of the writing industry.

We’ve undoubtedly entered an entirely new era in the last 18 months, marked not only by technological advancements like AI but also by evolving reader preferences and a rapidly transforming publishing landscape.

Modern writers like us are faced with a multitude of challenges and opportunities daily.

In this post, I’d like to explore the ongoing and upcoming shifts and obstacles that we, modern writers, are facing and discuss the possible strategies that could help us navigate these changes effectively.

“You can make anything by writing.” — C.S. Lewis

A brief stroll through thousands of years of the literacy landscape

To understand the trajectory of writing, we should briefly travel back in time and explore the history of literature. Britannica says that the first book, the Epic of Gilgamesh, originated 4000 years ago from ancient Mesopotamia. According to literacy experts, people have yet to learn who wrote it, why, or what readership or audience it was intended for.

A lot has changed since the creation of this four-thousand-year-old epic poem. From the way we write to how we write and how our words are distributed to reach our desired audience — the writing industry has undergone unrecognisable changes.

The arrival of the Renaissance in the 14th century began the improvement of classical learning, inspiring writers like William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes. Their timeless works, such as “Romeo and Juliet” and “Don Quixote,” laid the groundwork for exploring human complexities and the power of storytelling.

Like Voltaire and Jonathan Swift, enlightenment thinkers of the 17th century challenged societal norms through satire and philosophical dialogues. Swift’s “Gulliver’s Travels” and Voltaire’s “Candide” embodied the era’s intellectual ferment, questioning established authorities and championing reason.

Looking back at the 19th century, we witness the emergence of the Romantic movement. Poets like William Wordsworth and Emily Brontë embrace emotion, nature, and individualism. Meanwhile, novelists like Charles Dickens and Jane Austen delved into societal critiques through masterpieces like “Great Expectations” and “Pride and Prejudice.”

The 20th century brought us Ernest Hemingway, a literary trailblazer. Hemingway not only left a prominent mark with works like “The Old Man and the Sea” but also shaped the modernist movement. His extraordinary talent and experimental storytelling continue to influence us writers today. But the writers’ journey, much like Hemingway’s, has seen many transformations across centuries.

The Digital Era: Human vs. Machine - A Complex Intersection

The digital era and the rise of AI have brought unprecedented opportunities and challenges for us writers. Artificial intelligence has taken jobs away from tens of thousands of writers in the past 18 months. On the other hand, tens of thousands of ‘pretend’ writers have made millions from self-publishing on platforms like Amazon KDP.

But could machine learning be a blessing in disguise and aid writers like you and me in editing and content generation? Could AI mimic our human touch, creativity, and the ability to capture nuanced emotions in writing?

We can agree that these human values remain irreplaceable. But as a copywriter and ghostwriter, I see something strange happen every day — the requirement to translate the language of Artificial Intelligence into the language of humans.

Does this provoke some undesired emotions in me as an adaptable writer? It used to, but it does not worry me anymore.

I don’t fear AI. If a client asks me to run an article through an AI tool to enhance its chances of ranking higher in search results, I am happy to do that. However, such an act always comes with a warning.

Your readers can sense BS from miles away. Unless you are writing listicles, I think you’re better off googling synonyms to come up with fancy words than letting AI materialize your thoughts into amusing pieces.

Does AI help me, a writer whose first language is not English, the only tongue I have ever written in and has helped me earn more than just a living? No, it does not. But I have seen the exact opposite in fellow writers, both native and bilingual. Tools like Wordtune and Grammarly often come to the rescue and help build the foundational blocks for confidence.

And a lot of confidence is what you need as a modern writer — swiftly followed by trust. The ability to trust your instinct that you are good enough and no robot can ever replace you.

Striking a balance between leveraging technology and preserving the authenticity of human expression is a challenge for modern writers, businesses, and clients who hire us to help them bring their visions to life.

Becoming the Future Writer: From Surviving to Thriving

To transition from surviving to thriving, we must be proactive. Adapting to technological advancements, understanding our readers’ preferences, and embracing diverse publishing models are needed. We must become more versatile and learn to navigate a multifaceted terrain that includes social media, self-publishing platforms, and collaborations.

Surviving in the modern writing world requires us to be well-equipped. We can still leverage writing softwares like Grammarly for efficient content creation and editing while keeping our unique voices.

We can make the most of social media platforms that provide avenues for self-promotion and audience engagement. Joining online writing communities can offer us support as well as constructive feedback.

Embracing these tools can help us enhance our productivity and foster a sense of community, which is crucial for a writer’s journey.

Relying solely on one form of income may not be sustainable in the near future. We must explore additional income streams, such as teaching writing workshops or offering more diverse freelance services. Broadening our revenue streams can provide stability and financial security while allowing us to focus on our craft.

Stay Resilient in the face of adversity: Choose your mental health above all.

Staying resilient is easier said than done. As we notice more and more fellow writers abandoning their crafts in order to find jobs that can help pay the bills, we must not let this get to us. Yes, writing can be full of challenges, from rejection to writer’s block, but with a plan, a bit of research and strategy, we can get through this.

Nevertheless, you must remember to take good care of yourself. If it feels like it’s getting too much; perhaps it’s time to retreat and allow things to just happen.

Like the famous quote says:

“Everything works out in the end. If it hasn’t worked out yet, then it’s not the end.” — Tracy McMillan

Thank you for reading.

Much love,

Deni Sahaya

P.S Don’t forget to share your thoughts. How are you navigating through these dynamic times?

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