Where technology meets story telling

Thiruvananthapuram: It has always been a much debated question whether technology has helped or harmed the creative process of writing. The session on the subject at the Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters gave way to some interesting insights and observations as panelists and writers K Rekha, Shahina Rafeeq and Sonia Rafeeq revealed their own experiences. It is definitely easier to publish now with the advent of technology, as one doesn’t need to go after publishers or their approval for people to read their works, observed Rekha, recalling her growing up years in a small village in Thrissur where they didn’t have buses till she was in Class 7. 

Shahina recalled the words of writer Ashita. She used to say that paper was rationed for her by her father and so she actually had to shorten her stories owing to a lack of paper.

While discussing the process of creativity, Shahina said that she likes to view the world from a teenager’s point of view, she often asks her 15-year-old son what he thinks about something and then processes it with her maturity.

The panelists were asked whether it is possible for writing to be as deep as before in the age of technology, to which they replied that writing can only reflect the age. Even relationships are not as strong as before and it is only natural that they are reflected in writing, said Rekha. However, Sonia added that only the medium has changed and that the process of creation hasn’t really changed.