Writing for the Internet: Does Writing for the Internet Inhibit Creativity?

If writing for the Internet inhibits creativity, then the Internet is doomed, as it is a platform of expression for creative writers. Writing for the Internet does not inhibit creativity. In fact, just the opposite happens; it encourages ongoing creativity in writers.

This is not suggesting that the Internet does not pose some areas of concern for creative writers. For example, some writers may not feel comfortable with publishing on the Internet, particularly if this is a relatively new mode of publication for them.  The writer’s audience may appear to be far too vast, limited in scope or unknown.

The creative writer may feel threatened, thinking that his or her creative writing skills are not significant enough to compete with the work of other creative writers. Fear of intimidation by other writers, readers or other critics may enter into the picture.

One must argue that any true creative writer will not hesitate to use an updated mode of publication and communication which includes the Internet, particularly if this person is a professional writer. A person receiving financial remuneration for his or her creative writing is a professional writer, as opposed to an amateur writer, who writes and publishes his or her work, but does receive payment for it. Everyone starts out as an amateur writer with some degree of creativity that should continue to be developed.      

Creativity has more to do with the spirit of the writer.

Some writers are naturally more creative than others. Understanding what creativity means in terms of writing has a lot to do with how the writer views the publication of his or her work. Many writers seek creative modes of expression and publication in order to expand their writing horizons and advance their careers.

Readership on the Internet is continually expanding. Thus, writing for the Internet increases the demands made upon creative writers as a whole.

Part of the difficulty with publication on the Internet is the reality that websites come and go. In other words, a creative writer can publish his or her writing on a website, only to find out later that his or her work has disappeared. The website may be gone forever.

Will his or her creative writing be located in the Internet archives? Maybe that is possible, but maybe not.

The creative writer is a genius in some sense of the word, as he or she continues to draw from the well of creativity found deep within him or herself. There is no limit to creativity in writing.

Creative writing is an exciting form of artwork, an outward expression of the individual writer’s soul manifest in written words.

Understanding the creative writer’s need and desire to write, as well as to share his or her writing with others is important.

Every creative writer needs a platform on which to express and display his or her thoughts and feelings. The Internet provides such a platform. Perhaps it is only a platform in time and maybe it is destined to become obsolete. Eventually, the Internet may be replaced by a newer platform of some kind that is better and more appropriate for creative writing.

In the meantime, creative writers should continue to do creative writing and use whatever writing platform of expression is available to them. Instead of giving up, surrendering or submitting to the concerns and shortcomings of the Internet, creative writers should seek higher and better platforms from which to express their creativity.

Does writing for the Internet inhibit creativity? It is more likely to be instrumental in challenging, enhancing and expanding writers’ creative genius and creativity even further. 

Write on, creative writers.