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Writers' output frequently contributes to the cultural content of
a society, and that society may value its writerly corpus -- or
literature -- as an art much like the visual arts (see: painting,
sculpture, photography), music, craft and performance art (see:
drama, theatre, opera, musical).
In the British Royal Navy, Writer is the trade designation for an
administrative clerk.
Internet Writers
The popularity of the Internet has opened the door of opportunity
to many established and aspiring writers alike. This medium of communication
has also given rise to the question of writing quality in the Internet
age. Writers’ advocates believe the Internet has led to a
lower level of writing standards.
While
new modes of communication through the Internet are constantly advancing
and changing, the issue of writing quality questions the very definition
of writing in the Internet age. Whether writers are devoted to the
craft or not, they are expected to be able to write well both offline
as well as online, or at least recognize the difference between
the two.
When
writing for the Web, it is the content that matters. “Writing
for the Web is very different from writing for print. Print today
remains superior to the Web when it comes to visible space, image
and type quality, and speed.”
Web
visitors are quickly scrolling through sites seeking specific information
and will not always take the time to read every word. Traditional
writing techniques and standards are less of a priority, as multiple
headings, bullets and lists are needed to aid scanning readers.
Although reputable writers compose much of this writing, the quality
can appear less than professional. Also, with the increase of tech
people writing for the Web, the rules of grammer need to be put
into effect.
Writers not writing for a living often find enjoyment and small
payouts from Web sites seeking material to raise their sites higher
in the search engine rankings. Although this is a legitimate philosophy,
the writing being published on the Web can often be less than professional.
This lack of professionalism distorts the line between qualified
and amateur writers. Writing standards are often not the highest
priority as Web sites seek to drive traffic to gain advertising
exposure. It seems as if readers are not as concerned about the
writing quality, as long as they feel they are reading a relevant
account on a particular topic.
Blog Writers
Amateur writers are often attributed as bloggers. Blogs are avenues
by which to get information or opinions out into the Web for exposure.
Bloggers have taken on a new wave of communication seeking to benefit
all Internet users. Anyone with Internet access and a computer can
set up a Web site or blog wherein to publish his/her writing.[6]
The difference between writing on a blog versus a Web site is the
amount of readers, along with the credibility each receives. Though
blogs are generally informal and written by individuals, although
marketers and advertisers have recently taken to them and use them
as a tool to promote companies and receive feedback from consumers.[7]
Blogs are easy to create in the 21st Century due to the availability
of templates offered on free blog Web sites. With blogs being easy
to access and editable for both blog authors and readers, the contributions
are virtually limitless.
Blogs and blog writing are taking on more meaning than just idle
gossip between users and contributors. Educators are seeing the
benefits of maintaing blogs in the classrooms as an educational
tool. Teachers are able to keep an easy-to-maintain line of communication
open with parents and other educators. Blogs also stimulate students
to compose reflective responses to issues within an open forum.
An Honorific
In some circles, "Writer" has become a term of station
and significance beyond its original meaning. Like the Platonic
"Philosopher," modernists edged the Writer (along with
the "Artist") beyond a mere occupation to a state of being,
a prophetic and exilic stance from which to observe and critique
mainstream society. Americans like Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein,
and Henry Miller found that they could become Writers only by leaving
home and settling in expatriate communities abroad, especially in
Paris. Writing thus became a transcendent act, a means to objective
knowledge beyond the specific mores of particular societies and
the point of departure for future movements and possibilities. For
them, often, Writers are born and not made; as such, their whole
being is taken to be infused with sacred purpose.
Arguably, the modernists' Writer is no longer possible in the postmodern
condition. Recognizing that no particular viewpoint offers objective
knowledge, postmodernism makes the transcendent observer and critic
seem less plausible. In addition, the rise of media technologies
that is part and parcel of postmodernist experience places the modernist
Writer's printed word in competition with electronic media like
television, film, video games, and the internet.
In this context, literary artists have tended to recognize the commercialism
and commodity built into their work. Rather than a transcendent
purpose in itself, writing again becomes a means to an end. Dave
Eggers, for instance, has used his success as an author for political
purposes and to support other aspiring writers. While having learned
from the modernists' suggestion that writing can be an agent for
change and a definite vocation, postmodernists reject the objective
stance and wonder what the particular perspectives of writers can
contribute.
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