Emirati Writers Discuss the Importance of Social Media in Connecting with an Audience

Social media outlets were now doubling up as a platform for aspiring writers to present their works and get feedback and interaction from the public, according to Emirati writer Salha Obaid.

This came during a panel discussion titled ‘Living Examples’ that was organised as part of Sharjah’s programme as ‘Guest City’ at Moscow International Book Fair 2019 (MIBF). Emirati writer Omar Al Hammadi also shared his views on technological advancement and its impact on creativity and literature at the discussion that was moderated by poet Shaikha Al Mutairi at the emirate’s pavilion, in the presence of a host of Emirati and Russian litterateurs.

Speaking on the value of literature, Obaid said: “The awe-inspiring moments when reading rich and valuable content will always be the main reason that such content will continue to exist despite technological advancement and change of perceptions around the world. Artificial intelligence can never experience those feelings; humanity will only cease when the awe-inspiring moments stop.”

For his part, Omar Al Hammadi spoke about the ethics of expressing opinions, writing and literary criticism on social media platforms. He noted that while social media had become a means of communication between the writer and the reader, it was also being used for negative criticism.

In response to a question about the relationship between writing and doctors and engineers, he explained that writing was a talent, while engineering and medicine were sciences that require to be studied.  He said: "You could be a doctor who also writes creative content. However, it is impossible to wake up one morning and decide you are a doctor or an engineer.”

He pointed out that throughout history there had been many doctors who were also prolific writers, such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, Anton Chekhov, Alaa Al Aswani, Mustafa Mahmoud, among many others.