Writing Literary Fiction for an Internet Audience

The Department of English and Cultural Studies, in collaboration with the Editorial Circle under the Christ Language & Arts Network (CLAN) and the Office of Alumni Engagement, organised an insightful session for the students of the MA English with Digital Humanities programme. The session featured Ms. Andrea Rodrigues, Scientific Editor, author of Mizu City, and an alumna of the Department of English and Cultural Studies. The event aimed to provide students with practical insights into contemporary writing practices, digital storytelling, and publishing in the evolving literary landscape, while also aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education.

Ms. Rodrigues began the session with a general introduction to writing stories online and highlighted how digital spaces have transformed the way stories are created, shared, and consumed. She discussed the importance of understanding one’s target audience before beginning the writing process and explained how writers can effectively use digital platforms such as WordPress to showcase their work. She also elaborated on the process of “writing a character into existence,” encouraging students to develop characters with depth, relatability, and emotional complexity.

The session explored the practical aspects of publishing and literary networking. Ms. Rodrigues shared her experiences with cold emailing publishers and explained how aspiring writers can professionally approach publishers and editors to seek opportunities for publication. This provided students with valuable industry-oriented guidance and demystified the process of entering the publishing world.

One of the highlights of the session was the demonstration of a book adapted into a graphic novel format online. Through this example, Ms. Rodrigues illustrated how literary narratives can be reimagined using visual and interactive elements in digital spaces. She introduced students to her own work, Mizu City, discussing its creative process, themes, and digital presentation. The presentation offered students a deeper understanding of how storytelling can transcend traditional print formats.

Ms. Rodrigues also spoke candidly about the challenges involved in writing, including creative blocks, self-doubt, and the importance of receiving and responding to audience feedback. She encouraged students to view feedback as a constructive part of the creative process and emphasised the value of revising and refining one’s work over time. Her experiences as both an editor and author helped students gain a realistic perspective on the discipline and perseverance required in creative writing.

Another significant aspect of the session was the discussion on using webpages as a “sandbox” for experimentation and interactivity. Ms. Rodrigues demonstrated how digital platforms can be used not only to publish content but also to create immersive and visually engaging reader experiences. She stressed the importance of mastering literary fiction while simultaneously cultivating visual curiosity to appeal to modern readers in a digital age.

Overall, the session proved to be highly enriching and interactive, offering students both creative inspiration and practical knowledge. By bridging literature, technology, and publishing practices, the event successfully encouraged students to think critically about the future of storytelling and digital humanities. The session inspired students to explore innovative forms of creative expression in their own academic and literary pursuits.