Writers
This study focused on producers of literary work – i.e. writers – and their engagement in the 2012 Twitter Fiction Festival. The dataset includes reflections from 14 authors who participated in this event. The reflections were collected during two one-hour focus group discussions mediated through Twitter. Furthermore the data comprise of source material relating to the participants contributions during 2012 Twitter Fiction Festival and observation material relating to the participant profiles, network and online activity. Based on an extensive and iterative thematic analysis of these data, this study examines how producers of literary work interpret their engagement in these practices through language and discourse.
Renegotiating labels
Multimodality
Playfulness
Responsiveness
Thematic analysis of producers’ practices and reflections indicated that social media inspire people to re-imagine traditional labels like 'writer' and 'author'. Producers of literary texts are intrigued and motivated to question and challenge these labels when they are invited to experiment with meaning-making through different practices and social relations. At the same time, the producers recognize the importance of labels for discussion and making sense of people’s actions.
Inspired by their own practices, the producers try to create alternative labels like 'artist' and 'player'. The participants in the study argue that these labels are less restrictive and highlight the unique aspects of production dimension in social media environments. These aspects include multimodality, playful experimentation, and the tension between scripted and responsive performance.
Participation as outlet
Regardless of individual differences, all participants in the study describe social media as spaces for sharing and cultivating their passion for literature and fiction writing with other enthusiasts. They explain that participating in these spaces provides an outlet as well as an opportunity to learn through personal practice and the experiences shared by others.
Experimentation
& development
Furthermore, the producers in this study consider how the design of social media can support or obstruct creative cultural production. They argree that the freedom to follow their passion, to experiment and to make mistakes are all crucial for their development as producers.