In an era where words travel faster than ever, digital platforms have redefined the way we write, read, and connect. We sat down with digital writer Arielle Gonzales to talk about her creative journey in the world of online storytelling. From inspiration to audience engagement, from navigating social media to building a writer’s voice in the digital age—this is a candid conversation about writing beyond the page.

INTRODUCTION TO WRITING AND THE DIGITAL SHIFT

When and how did you first start writing?

I started writing when I was in middle school because I was different from others. I was very creative and loved watching others in different aspects. My mind would create ideas for short stories that I would share with my family. For years, I stopped until college, when I
started to figure out why I loved creating and writing. Now, I’m writing more but waiting for my big break to do it full-time forever. Writing speaks to my soul, especially since I’m not the best at speaker.

Someone told me, “ Why don’t you write about what you think?”

What led you to shift towards digital platforms? What influenced this transition the most?

Growing up I wanted to write for magazines like Sex in the City, Ugly Betty, and Living Single, however, newspapers are not really there anymore. So in college, I switched to digital platforms such as Medium, freelancing and Substack. The switch wasn’t hard to do because
the digital world is better for getting the stories across.

CREATIVE PROCESS AND INSPIRATION

What themes do you enjoy exploring the most in your writing?

Where do you draw inspiration from? What digital sources or environments nurture your creativity?

The themes I enjoy exploring is the ones that make the audience think, feel, and be
open-ended. Everyone can have a different opinion, but sometimes the story is the same. Stories can be the same yet in different fonts. People want to feel related to something that feels. The soul understands.

My inspiration comes from people and the things around me. Most of the time, its like a light blub that went off like “people would want to know about this”. I just go with my gut then research if needed too. Most of my writings come from the soul, meeting people in passing.
Writing is a space where pictures and seeing sometimes don’t express what it is. Words can run deep and can make you change that thought as you try to understand what it is. I would say for digital platforms, TikTok, Facebook and Medium.

THE IMPACT OF DIGITAL MEDIA

In your opinion, how does digital writing differ from traditional writing?

Digital writing differs from traditional writing in format, tone, and interaction. While traditional writing is linear, formal, and mostly text-based, digital writing is dynamic, conversational, and often includes multimedia elements like images or links. It encourages reader interaction through comments and shares, and it’s usually produced and consumed much faster than traditional writing. I love both but digital has this way of speaking to the audience due to being more personal.

What are the most challenging and empowering aspects of writing on platforms like social media or blogs?

I prefer blogs to social media. The reason for this is that there is more freedom than on social media. It’s very empowering to be in spaces that are very much similar and open like Medium and Substack communities. Social Media can be overwhelming since I only use it for
updates or reposting for my blog (a marketing tool for networking)

READER INTERACTION

How does engaging directly with your audience affect your writing?

When I engage with the audience, It’s usually in the process. I like to ask questions and learn. So I pretty much write off that. I want my writings to make a person feel, whether it’s an opinion, essay, story, poetry, or article. I want to have the audience think and come back to ask me questions, such as the recent blog story on The Lover Era due to months of seeing, hearing, and learning from others.

Do feedback or comments from readers influence your writing style or topics?

Of course, but not so much that I will change my whole writing for them. I enjoy feedback and comments so I can become a more advanced writer. I still have growing to do and learn as well.

FUTURE PROJECTS AND ADVICE

What upcoming projects are you currently working on or excited about?

I am working on putting out another Lover Era one and Unmasking Yourself: Why We Hide What We Love (And How to Stop)”. I have a couple of freelancing things coming up. I’m just trying to be a full-time writer since I went to school for that, as well as digital media. So, if you know anyone who needs a writer, I can be that!

What advice would you give to those who want to start a digital writing career?

Don’t stop writing. I know the world is crazy and bittersweet. Do what you enjoy always. I’m glad I came back to it even though it was always there. I still have my middle writings, my family wants me to publish one day. Even if you think it’s not going to be interesting, write it. I recently put out an article that was raw, love, and emotional called “Soft, But Not Stupid: The Lover Era (But Not Too Much Tho).” It’s about being a lovergirl (or guy) who has done the work, yet it’s complicated to be vulnerable. Parts of the emotional viewpoint is The Photograph, Sade song “Is it a crime” interwined with my mom’s story as a woman who told me how she was a lovergirl yet let fear take over to
the point she let her work be her love. That broke her up as she grew older.