Muscat – For Oman’s emerging writers, talent may be the starting point, but turning it into a sustained literary voice requires much more: guidance, reading, training, publishing opportunities and institutions willing to nurture creativity over time.

Academics and young writers say developing literary talent should begin early, continue through school and university and extend into cultural and media institutions that can give new voices a platform.

Dr Yousef bin Sulaiman Al Mamari, Assistant Professor of Literature and Criticism at A’Sharqiyah University, said young writers today face challenges ranging from limited institutional support to the rapid rise of social media and artificial intelligence.

“The greatest challenge in our contemporary time is digital production and social media, and more recently artificial intelligence,” he said, noting that technology now increasingly mimics human creativity and knowledge production.

Yet Al Mamari believes human creativity will retain its importance. Schools and universities, he said, remain crucial in discovering and refining talent, while cultural and media institutions have an equally important role after graduation in providing young writers with space to publish and engage society.

Sharifa bint Salem Al Rahbi sees practical workshops and discussion groups as among the strongest tools for developing writers.

She said aspiring authors need experienced mentors, peer interaction and continued evaluation rather than short-term courses. An effective system should guide writers, assess their work and help suitable pieces reach publication.

Ahmed bin Rashid Al Muqbali agreed that talent alone is insufficient. “No matter how great the talent, it needs an environment to nurture and abundant opportunities to reach full potential,” he said, stressing the importance of reading, continuous practice and exposure to literary workshops.

He also highlighted the family’s influence, saying children surrounded by books and reading often develop their first curiosity about literature at home before schools and cultural institutions take over.

Fatima bint Hassan Al Ajmi said cultural clubs can provide a bridge between raw ability and mature writing through workshops, literary gatherings and eventual publication. Intensive reading, she added, remains essential to opening new paths for creativity.

Confidence remains another hurdle. Wafaa bint Salim Al Muslihi said some young writers hesitate to publish, leaving potentially promising work “locked away in drawers” because of fear of criticism or rejection. Digital platforms, however, are creating new opportunities to promote books and texts through videos, interviews and other formats, while workshops, competitions and literary awards can help young writers test and refine their abilities.

For Oman’s next generation of authors, the challenge is therefore not simply learning how to write, but building an ecosystem in which writing can develop, be tested and ultimately be heard.