In the 21st century, women writers have gained more respect, and acknowledgment, unlike the previous centuries where gender prejudice, hate, and disrespect were prevalent posing many hardships on the female writers.
Their role in shaping our society cannot be overestimated. Women writers have often been vivid voices and the first ones to sparkle debates that have shaped the way we think and even act today. But what exactly is different between women of the 21st century and those who came before them? Is it just a different era or there are tangible differences? Here are some significant points.
Women’s Liberation
Women writers of our century have freedom in many ways. They not only voice their views through their writing but also have public platformsand websites like WomenWriters, including political spaces where they speak out vehemently on various issues. This makes a whole lot of difference between them and their counterparts of earlier centuries.
Take women writers who struggle for feminist causes, for instance. They are political powerhouses who use their pendevotedly to advance the cause. Take for instance Gloria Steinem, one of the most vocal feminist writers of today.Over the years, writers like her have used various platforms to tell their stories in a different way.
Despite the challenge of being underappreciated in the past, women writers continue to liberate themselves through writing on issues about women rights and outdated notions of domesticity.
Lack of gender equality and persistent criticism from supporters of patriarchal tradition remain significant challenges for women writers in the 21st century. However, they continue to fight for their place in society. Renowned authors like Nora Roberts continue to redefine women roles in their stories as well as in real life.
Impact of Technology and the Internet
Being an accomplished writer yields recognition and respect in the society. This haven’t changed from previous generations, so the 21st-century writers continue to share this aspect with their predecessors.
However, advancement in technology and media has made a considerable difference in the way they achieve this recognition. Internet has provided writers with a fast and effective means of communication with their audiences all over the word.Today, through social media platforms, creative professionals are able to amass vast fan following. This form of communication often constitutes a central part of the writer’s life and can make or break one’s career overnight.
Technology and the internet have brought a significant change to the way writers work. Digital platforms make it possible to publish free content that is accessible for readers, thus spreading the ideas.
Women writers have been able to achieve higher productivity through peer writing groups. They offer each other peer support, opinions and reviews to ensure the quality of their work.
Prizes and Awards as a Motivating Factor
An element that has greatly changed in the 20th and 21st century is a monetary reimbursement and encouragement that writers – both male and female – are able to receive. Today, it is possible for writers to win a substantial sum of money that will support them for a long time and will enable them to advance their writing career.
Take, for instance, Elfriede Jelinek, the Australian playwright who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2004. She had an extraordinary zeal revealing her take on absurdity of the society clichés and their subjugating powers as well.
Despite the spiteful chauvinistic movements, women find power in the art of writing giving them a competitive ability. For many female writers, presenting good booksone after another has become in equal parts a deliberate moral commitmentand a good investment of their time and effort.
The variety of prizes that a writer can win has also changed the scene. Different organizations have come up to offer support and encouragement for female writers, LGBT writers, writers of color, and other representatives of the groups whose chances were diminished by the long history of oppression. There is an award to compete for in almost any field all year round.
Final Thoughts
Women writers of the 21st century benefit from the advancements made by their peers earlier. Ultimately, they are in a better position to develop their talent than those who came before them, thanks to constantly shifting political, social and economic dynamics.
Through writing,women have been able to carve up a space for themselves outside the confinement of domestic life. Through writing, they have been able to liberate themselves beyond the traditional feminine roles.Over the years, women rights have been secured by the law.It has been a progressive era, but still, women keep struggling to change the definition of womanhood.Writing started it all and it continues to empower women all over the world.
