A.E. Albert: A Writer's Blog

How the Internet has Changed Writing
by A.E. Albert

How the Internet 

has Changed Writing

by A.E. Albert

I love old books, especially science fiction. They're usually vague about the technology used, as in The Time Machine by H.G. Wells. The author only describes the machine and what it can do, skipping how it was done. Or H.P Lovecraft's lack of description when attempting to describe different dimensions.  

Yet, this doesn't bother me in the least.  In fact, I think it only adds to their stories mystery. What I find fascinating are the concepts.  The idea that man can travel through time or to the moon long before mankind ever had an inkling that it was scientifically possible.

My novel, The Time Sphere, is a time travel story so I had to do hours of historical and scientific research.  As I completed this arduous task, a thought came to me.  How in the world did writer's do their research before the internet?  

I had all of this knowledge at my fingertips,

accessing it and receiving it within seconds.  Prior to the digital revolution, a writer had to travel to the library, searching for specific information through individual books.  Then there was writing everything down by hand or utilizing a type writer. I certainly gained a new respect for all authors of all genres who toiled so relentlessly.

It also made me wonder if ideas were more unique during this time.  I don't think there's anything wrong with being inspired by the work of others. In fact, I think you would hard pressed to find any creative work that isn't to some degree.  

But has this new age left no room for wonder and questioning when everything seems to have an answer?  Knowledge no longer possess the power it once had as it is now available at our fingertips.
Maybe this is why we live in the age of the re-boot.

The Bible says there is nothing new under the sun. I wonder if this thinking is just an unfortunate side effect of the information handed to people on a silver platter.  Perhaps this is a sign that we are the cusp of a renaissance.  After all, this isn't the first time in history that man has believed that we couldn't possible learn more than we already have.

Is there really nothing new under the sun? Personally, I think we are standing at the precipice of a new age.  

And there will always be someone to tell the story.


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