Contextual Essay
By Tala Mahmoud
Introduction
I began my research by surrounding myself on Reddit with mystery novel enthusiasts. My goal was to not only gain insight into their love for these books, but also to get an understanding of how their online communities were structured.
Through exploring different subreddits and closely observing the conversations, I began to notice the implied rules among members of the groups. I engaged in conversations, asking questions and participating in discussions.
I took a creative approach to understanding these fans by writing stories based on their language, interests, and online conversations. Through the process I looked for ways to best capture their essence and combine research with creative expression.
Summary of the Fictional Story
My story revolves around Sam, a regular guy like many in these online communities. In a web of mysteries and unexpected dangers, he gets engrossed in an online mystery novel, while strange things happen in his real life. The line between fiction and reality blurs as he gets engrossed in his online mystery novel.
My story is told from Sam’s perspective (first person). He’s an average guy, loves Reddit, and stumbles upon a recommended mystery book called ‘Web of Whispers’. As he delves into it, he is left with more questions than answers.
It was a great experience for me to research on Reddit communities. I observed and participated in discussions and witnessed both the supportive and toxic sides.
Writing this story based on this ethnographic research was challenging, but it taught me to tap into my creative side. I never knew I could write a story like this, it really boosted my writing skills.
I had to balance storytelling with portraying the intricacies I observed during my research in crafting this story, so I had to balance both. By learning about how these groups function, I gained a deeper understanding of their complexities.
I had a much better understanding of mystery genre fans and their online spaces. Through the process of research I realized the importance of understanding how communities interact with each other and how their knowledge, thoughts, and feelings form a connection. The more I drew from different online spaces, the clearer it became to me that the mystery genre fans were truly passionate about what they enjoyed.
References:
Tyx79x. (2023). Most toxic video game communities. [online] Available at: https://www.reddit.com/r/Asmongold/comments/14lune8/most_toxic_video_game_communities/ [Accessed 1 Dec. 2023].
Writers.com. (2020). 7 Ways to Come Up With Great Story Ideas. [online] Available at: https://writers.com/how-to-come-up-with-story-ideas.
Once Upon a Book Club. (2023). Why the Mystery Genre is Trending Right Now. [online] Available at: https://www.onceuponabookclub.com/blogs/book-subscription-boxes/why-the-mystery-genre-is-trending-right-now [Accessed 1 Dec. 2023].
Quora. (n.d.). What are the most effective ways to grow an online community? [online] Available at: https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-most-effective-ways-to-grow-an-online-community [Accessed 1 Dec. 2023].
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