While most of our discussion in class today regarding participatory culture centered around fan fiction communities, I’ve found that there are an endless amount of these types of “affinity spaces” all over the Internet. I’ve never been a writer of fan fiction, and although I have read a few pieces that fit the genre, I wouldn’t consider myself part of the affinity space of fan fiction. For me, I more found my community through a site called amirite. (Don’t go to it now. The original creator sold it a couple years back and the new owners completely destroyed it.) Five years ago, this site was where I felt most comfortable, and where I spent a large majority of my time. I was fairly “popular” there (do you know how lame I feel writing that?) and I made lots of friends (a few that I still talk to, and one that I got to meet in person (shout out to Sarah @taghappy I love you meeting you was the best day of my life)). Even though this site wasn’t dedicated to writing specifically, I got a lot of support from a few people on there who were interested in creative writing and were willing to read my work and give me valuable feedback on it. This fueled my desire to write more and more and I definitely believe I am a better writer because of it. I don’t really keep in touch with any of the amiriters who helped shape me as a writer, but I will always appreciate all the help they were willing to give me, while also being willing to listen to my opinions and critiques on their own work.
