Soul is what is needed to be a writer in the present, in these modern and trying times. When I use "modern", it means anything from the 20th century up until today, the very first quarter of a new century. That is because we have not gone beyond many problems that the 20th century has presented—the arts that at one time enamored societies and promised growth on the philosophical and spiritual level have been fundamentally challenged and altered by the machine.

For instance, bureaucracy and the values backing it and surrounding the dominant political philosophy of capitalism have managed to pit swaths of art against money: thus creativity is shunned away by formulae—by what can sell and has mass appeal. And now, with the terrible existence of AI, what is the role of the writer now? Even ancient scribes had their value and purpose, but the same cannot be so easily said today.

After all, what can the writer writing passionately serve today in a mechanical world so devoid of color? Do they need a purpose? Questions like these are the pains of the modern writer, and a writer must necessarily confront these in one form or another, but it is not a stretch to say that the most resounding question, posed by the system, is that of money and the devaluing of a necessary art form. What then can the modern writer expect?

It is of utmost importance that one thing is made immediately clear: journaling and writing for oneself will still have its place. If a writer writes out of their own soul and passion and for their eyes only, especially traditionally with pen, pencil, or paper, then what I'm about to say affects them the least.

A beautiful and still mostly unaffected space awaits the solitary writer who writes for no one else, but if they wanted to share their innermost thoughts with the world and even possibly earn a living off of them, then they must confront a cruel reality: you must be content with the fact that you may sink into poverty and oblivion, that no one will perhaps ever read your words.

And if you can accept that and write because your heart compels it, then you are not only a creative spirit but the writer par excellence who is willing to face immense pain to reach the finish line. That is to play into what the machine wants, but done so in your own way from the wellspring of your very being. 

If, however, one wishes to write and gain wealth and fame with no soul, get out of the game as AI exists. There is zero purpose in a writer who cannot see the artistry of the pen. But, and there is a need to be tough-minded here, if one has dedication and can find value in their own writings, however rough they are, there is a path, but a path of constant rejection, pain, and suffering at the hands of your craft and others. 

To be frank, it is not the writer's or the individual's fault for inheriting a world that often demeans the arts and especially writing. In fact, it is only through revolution of art and in larger politics—which is as fantastical as it is unlikely—that it can be changed.

Yet not everyone seeks to be a revolutionary, but as the writer's pitfalls grow, so too does the merit of being one. The ultimate test that emerges, however, is the willingness to attempt to overcome those pitfalls, to take the leap that will determine a lifetime. And it is through the soul that one can see to the end of its journey, whatever may lie ahead.

To be a painter with words is a hell of a thing; to be a writer is itself to have something to say in otherwise silence. And a writer who chooses to undergo this path must expect that it won't be easy. Rejection letters are commonplace, essays of weeks of hard work may remain unopened, and there will surely be a time when doubt creeps in through the cracks.

"Am I good enough? What am I doing wrong? Is this for me?" There is no doubt a thorny road that awaits, one that will weed out plenty. Its success is never guaranteed, and though it has its dark side, with writing comes profundity and a real honing of an art otherwise untapped. That is to say, a spiritual and most fulfilling element is to be found in it that may not be immediately apparent, no matter how shrouded in darkness and far away from the absurdity of life it is.

Nevertheless, to all the writers with soul who want to elevate their pieces and still undertake this difficult journey, may your spirits be shattered but allow you to come out better on the other side. It's sink or swim, and most of us are never fortunate enough to never sink and drown—the best writers are ones that often have. Raw talent means nothing in the face of one who clawed their way to the summit.

And thus we come the pains of the modern writer: will you give up, writhe, and succumb fully under the immense pressure? Or will you become a proper diamond by the end of it?

As long as there is soul, the writer will survive, even in these turbulent times. If one is still able to dream, a writer will always chase after it despite how foolhardy and ridiculous it may seem. It isn't about the chances, and no matter how writing is viewed by others, despite the existence of AI and despite all the other obstacles that stand in the way: a writer with soul will write, no matter what.

And they are ultimately the ones who determine its and their own value. That is the role of a public writer, and while it is messy, those who make it to the other side will have known it was worthwhile.