The internet has given the writing community more exposure. In the past, not many people have utilized the internet because it was far more expensive. As high-speed internet becomes more affordable, many people are making the transition to those connections from basic dial-up. The internet’s effect on the writing community has definitely gone a long way in only half a decade.
Before websites such as Helium, Associated Content, Ground Report, and so forth, everything was mainly a bunch of contests. There were plenty of websites where you can post your works of writing, but you didn’t make money that way. The internet made a lot of impact but it wasn’t big enough until two or three years ago. I usually submitted my works of poetry in various contests. During that time, you had to have a physical manuscript of your works.
With internet access being more available, it’s given just about anybody a voice. In terms of writing, you’re getting your voice out. From there, you get more exposure with your writing.
I remember submitting stories for this website called "Fanfiction.Net" in the past. I’m still a member of that website and have been for over five years. I had stumbled across the site back in 2002. It was a way to get exposure for my fan-based works of fiction in various genres such as anime and videogames. The website didn’t pay anything but it was a great way to gain exposure.
Then they created "Fiction Press" where you got to post your original works of fiction. Those two online writing communities are still running strong for awhile. Though, there is still a lot left to be desired.
Around 2002, there was "Project Greenlight" created by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. It was a yearly screenplay competition where entrants would post their works on the website. That was a good way for screenwriters to get the exposure they needed asides from entering other contests. Project Greenlight was one of the first screenwriter communities. The internet has greatly affected the screenwriting community.
However, Project Greenlight is pretty dead as it seems. After 2004, there wasn’t another Project Greenlight competition since.
But, another community created by Kevin Spacey popped up called "Trigger Street." This wasn’t focused on competitions like Project Greenlight. However, this proved to be more of a true screenwriting community. It encouraged cooperative participation. Of course using Trigger Street is a great way to get exposure; but, you have to read and review assigned screenplays in order get "tokens" which can be used for the ability to upload your screenplays.
There’s another community called "MyCreativeCommunity" that’s under construction. That’s another way for writers to network and gain exposure.
Recently, a web community called "Story Link" was launched. You don’t post your works of writing on the website; but, you can network with directors, screenwriters, novelists, and other people. If the internet didn’t have a big affect on the writing community, these online communities wouldn’t have been created.
With all sorts of blogs, writers could promote themselves without having to front up any money. There are many people that use blogs to post their poetry and short stories. In short, the internet has kept the writing community very active and fresh.
In short, the internet has enabled established writers and newcomers a good way to get increased exposure. For the writing community, the internet has become an invaluable tool to getting their voices out.
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