WHAT MAKES 21

ST

CENTURY LITERATURE
DIFFERENT FROM THE
LITERATURE FROM THE
EARLY PERIODS?
The use of 21st century technology in
producing literature

Electronic and Graphic Literatures proliferated in this time

because of the availability of the internet and the different digital
devices like desktop computers, laptops, and smartphones.
The availability of these digital devices is the reason why
paperless production of literature emerged in this period. Many
writers produce their literary works by coming up with their own
websites sponsored for free by internet platforms (e.g ., Wattpad,
Blogger.com, Facebook, Twitter, and many more).

As literary works are readily available on the virtual space, readers

can post their reactions in the form of comments and may even
share these works.
There Birth of New genres

Since this is the era of embracing rapid social changes

and emphasizing individualities, new genres entered
the people’s consciousness which many readers readily
received and appreciated. Speculative Fiction and even
LGBT-themed literature are just some of these genres.
Speculative Fiction is the kind of literature that
deals with supernatural phenomena like folklore and
fantasy ,which the elders originally told through
tradition.

Another example under the Speculative Fiction is the

science fiction, which Filipino writers explore in this
period.
Another emerging gerne that is a little controversial is
the LGBT-themed literature. These are stories written
to represent the struggles of an individual to be
accepted in the current social strata and also the
authenticity of love that deals beyond the bounds of
gender norms.
Self-publishing as a means of introducing
creative works
The world of self-publishing is being introduced and the writers
today are given the opportunity to fulfill their dreams to have their
works be read by broader public.

Before, a writer had to go through a rigorous and difficult process

in order for their work to be published and known to the rest of
the world. Many aspiring writers tried, but after numerous
rejections, they gave up and forgot about their dream of becoming
successful.
Luckily in the 21st Century, there are ways to become an
accomplished author through self-publishing. This new trend
can be done for free - by using free online platforms (like
Wattpad) which are created to produce different kinds of
literature.

This kind of online writing has become a hit in the Philippines,

where many popular Wattpad novels have been adapted into
movies and even television series.
Aside from publishing one's work through Wattpad, a
writer can also enroll in a mentoring program like
PaperKat Books owned by Kath Eustaquio-Derla. In this
kind of mentoring program, the mentor will accept
budding writers to help them produce both paperback
and e-format literature. In this kind of program also, the
writers are taught different marketing strategies to sell
their books easier.
Accessibility of different literature from
every part of the world

Although dubbing continues to exist in the twenty-first

century, many television modern viewers would prefer to
subtitles while watching foreign television shows and
movies. Many Filipinos nowadays would rather read
subtitles than watch a tagalized (dubbed in Filipino) series
or movie.
Classic Literatures’ preservation and survival
through seminal production.
Some of today's literature are based on classic plots, such as
William Shakespeare's timeless plays and stories. Taylor
Swift’s song Love Story which is based on the classic Romeo
and Juliet, is an example. This classic story of two star-crossed
lovers has also been adapted into live-action or animated films
(for example, Gnomeo and Juliet (2011), produced by Blaker
Bloodworth, Steve Hamilton Shaw, and David Furnish).
The influence of the classic cannot be removed and is
still present in the 21st Century. Truthfully, these
timeless stories are the foundation of some of the
great works created in the21st Century. Thus, prove
the saying that the classic literature can surpass the
test of time and still be relevant to those who will
appreciate it.
The existence of 21st Century Literature speaks about what we
have in our days .- the ever-developing technologies. Before,
writing was so simple that it only required a pen and paper, or
if we go a little further back, they used stones and walls to
carve and record important things.

What more can a writer produce in the

future?