SUBURBAN SYNTAX

In a world inundated with social media platforms vying for our attention, it’s natural to question whether Twitter (now X) is still the go-to for authors in 2024. While some may argue that the 280-character limit stifles literary expression and the platform’s landscape is rife with trolls and drama, Twitter is genuinely a valuable tool for authors versus other options. I returned to the social media platform after a nearly two year long hiatus, and these are my thoughts on its current state.

Firstly, the character limit. It’s been argued (even before the character limit increase to 280) whether authors can truly convey the depth of their literary genius in a mere 280 characters? Skeptics might scoff at the notion, claiming that Twitter reduces their profound thoughts to bite-sized snippets. Is brevity the soul of wit, or does Twitter merely force authors to play a frustrating game of literary Tetris?

It used to be that snarky tweets were the bread and butter of the writing community on the platform, whether about the newest hot novel or latest controversy. But more and more it seems people are struggling to gain any traction, and simply tweeting random nonsense or unanswered follower polls into the void.

Engagement is another key factor. While real-time connections with readers sound appealing, does the fast-paced nature of Twitter truly foster meaningful interaction? Is engaging in witty banter with followers a genuine connection or just a fleeting moment in the vast sea of digital noise? Worse yet, the changes following the Musk buyout are quite focused on getting money from users, and whatever background algorithm changes took place seem quite arbitrary and to have harmed visibility for the average user. I’ve asked other author friends and they saw a precipitous drop in engagement on their tweets.

Meanwhile, a random “How are you feeling about your coffee this morning?” tweet in the #amwriting tag gets over 10K shares and likes. It’s confusing at best, and demoralizing at worst, because it seems like there is no longer a logical path to engaging with followers on the platform.

Speaking of hashtags, so often hailed as a savior for discoverability, now raise questions too. Do endless strings of #AmWriting and #WriterLife truly set authors apart in a crowded digital space, or do they risk becoming clichés that lose their impact over time? For a while, Twitter seemed to be moving away from hashtags and just filtering tweets by keywords, but now, they are back in full force. It’s hard to determine whether reliance on hashtags is still a shortcut to visibility in the current environment, or if authors should invest in more organic methods of building an audience.

The power of the retweet used to be undeniable, but does it hold lasting value? Is the virtual nod from one wordsmith to another a genuine endorsement of quality content, or does it contribute to a culture of reciprocal promotion without meaningful engagement? Upon returning to Twitter after a long hiatus, I question how much weight authors should place on the virtual standing ovation of a retweet, if they can even get one these days, and whether it translates to tangible success?

Meanwhile, the main feed on the app has become nearly useless and cluttered with ads and suggested tweets from people I don’t even follow. In the old days, Twitter helped break down the walls between authors and readers, giving a direct line of communication. But now I wonder if this was a good thing, or if it signals a departure from the disciplined craft of writing? At varying stages of fame, you’ll often see a famous authors tweet generate buzz, but they never reply to the hundreds of (sometimes heated) replies. It effectively becomes one-way communication, which was never the intention of the platform in the first place. In order to even see the people you followed, it’s necessary to curate lists. This was always true to an extent, but even more so now.

In conclusion, the question of whether Twitter is useful for authors in 2024 remains open-ended, but I have my doubts. The platform still offers a unique set of tools, but its value depends on how authors navigate and leverage its somewhat obtuse (as X) algorithm changes and paywalled features. As the digital landscape evolves, and platforms like Youtube and “BookTok” take center stage, it’s worth pondering whether Twitter is still an essential companion for authors or a waning trend in the ever-shifting world of social media. Also, the new logo is trash.

What do you think? As writers, I’m curious to know if you’re still making any use of Twitter/X, or have you moved onto greener pastures and find more success on another social media platform?