While many mourn the closure of their favourite book shops and many lament that the young are not reading books anymore, they may not be right in suggesting that story telling is a dying art. Instagram, YouTube and WordPress have ensured that story telling has been modified to the modern digital age.
On the other hand, the digital formats have created a seamless experience where a struggling writer can find the right audience. They have found a ready platform that gives voice to their expression, without the hassles of publication houses. They do not have to face rejections like the classical writers, who would send their manuscripts and then wait into the void for a reply.
Now the responses are instant in the comments section. And if you are good, any major brand could contact you for your content. For instance, Bhuvan Bam who became an overnight YouTube sensation with his videos. Even Tyler Knott Gregson, amassed 2,59,000 poetry-loving followers on Tumblr and 3,52,000 on Instagram. His ‘Typewriter’ series was picked up by Perigee, a division of Penguin Random House and published as a book of poems titled ‘Chasers of the Light’ in 2014.
Many young voices are finding an expression on platform like Terribly Tiny Tales and other microblogging sites. Rahul Kaushik, with his poignant lines on the millennial’s everyday experiences, also became a Facebook sensation when his page became famous. Rupi Kaur’s first book, ‘Milk and Honey’, saw the light of day via Amazon’s CreateSpace Platform. Only later was it picked up by Andrews McMeel Publishing for a second print.
Image Credit: wikimedia
The power of these platforms draws a larger audience and bigger rewards every day. Kaur, who became popular first as an Instapoet, now has two best-selling books of poems behind her, and commands a following of 2.6 million on Instagram.
So, Instagram, microblogging sites and other platforms have given an opportunity of exposure to many storytellers among us. Quite the contrary to the cynical view, Story telling is acquiring new forms and new audiences.
Read Also: Want To Become A Poet? Visit These Places That Inspired The Giants Of Poetry
