Writers turn to social media platforms

Society Reporter

BUDDING creative writers are increasingly using online social media platforms to “publish” their half-baked and unedited works.

One such writer, who only identifies himself as “Rassie Farai”, has authored and posted two thrilling novels that have, without doubt, kept those that read them spell-bound.

Titled “Sergeant Linda”, this online novel has a gripping crime fiction storyline that is pregnant with unexpected twists and turns.

A detective story, the plot is about Linda, a policewoman who is determined and is successful in bringing to book feared criminal elements that were working hand in glove with a top political figure.

The writer displays imagination and creativity, often leaving the readers in suspense.

The anonymous author is clearly well-versed with how detectives conduct their investigations, a fact which might result in readers concluding that the writer was either a police officer or that he had done enough research on this subject.

With 28 chapters, “Detective Linda” has all the aspects of a thriller, and if polished by professional book editors, the work can find itself on shelves of major bookstores.

After posting a chapter, the author interacts with the readers, getting valuable tips for the next chapters.

To show his versatility, Rassie Farai is posting chapters from his new offering titled “Ruchiva Runourayisa” on a daily basis.

A contemporary Shona novel, the publication is rich in deep Shona idioms.

Unlike in “Detective Linda”, in which the author uses both English, Shona and street lingo, “Ruchiva Runourayisa” was written in Shona and is laden with complex idioms and traditional proverbs.

There is a clear distinction between the two novels.

But why would someone spend hours on end writing and posting short stories on social media?

Rassie Farai, just like the other online social media writers, does not want to share the reason. However, Fabian Choto, a prolific poet who has published the Shona poetry anthology “Wajaira” in 2016, and an English poetry anthology, aptly titled “Wisdom and Foolishness”, gave us an insight.

“The odds are clearly against writers. Firstly, it usually takes a very long time for a writer to have his/her work published; that is if it is accepted in the first place. Secondly, the costs of producing a book, for example, are way above the reach of many. These factors push writers to use the online media platforms,” Choto said.

Basing on the interactions with online readers, it is clear that online publications have become an in-thing, as few people now opt for printed books.