What makes WC an online community different than others is the way in which the community is built. An article I found while researching this topic points out interesting differences between WritersCafe and other online communities:

• The point of WritersCafe is to become friends with people you don’t know in order to establish connections with other writers
• The top two objectives of the community are to:
  • Befriend other writers
  • Get reviews and suggestions
  • The community is a group of complete strangers drawn together by their mutual love of writing

Just as cultures have many sub-groups consisting of individuals within that subgroup, WritersCafe offers the same for writers. The community of WC is made up of sub-groups with specific categories, or genres, to categorize your work. Some popular groups include: “Movie Lovers”, “Dark Realm”, and “Tenshi” Tenshi, for example, includes and discusses Japanese poetry and writing. These groups specify exactly what the purpose of their category is, making it easy for members to decide what group they wish to join and contribute their work to.

I have signed up with WritersCafe.org and have given feedback to works that I have really enjoyed. I’ve asked the writers of these works where they draw their inspiration from for these specific works.

Since I am a fairly new member, I have only joined one group called “Popcorn Writing” with the goal to further connect all writers with passing along a story to be added on to. The forum starts with a post from group creator, Savannah, and continues with posts from the next group member. There is no specific order of posting, which makes the forum itself that much more creative and interesting. The work that the group is currently writing is called “Doors”. Below is an example of how forums in “Popcorn Writing” are started and continued:

Screen shot of “Popcorn Writings” first forum titled “Doors”. Source: Megan Knudson

I joined “Popcorn Writing” because I thought it perfectly showcased what WritersCafe is all about: bringing a mixed group of people together to ultimately unify their individual works.

I was also invited to join the group “Poetic Infusion Society”, whose mantra is: “Progress is the key to ultimate success in life, progression in personal views and social outlooks. Our world is in constant motion, and we must be in harmony with that motion!” This is a special group on WC because it promotes a lot of publicity to help the homeless community. Although the WC community exists online, it helps promote change in the physical world. For example, Poetic Infusion Society promotes and supports the foundation Stone to Bread  which was created for any and all homeless to receive aid and a new opportunity to restart life.

This is what makes WritersCafe.org such a different, unique community. Not only does the site offer benefits to its members, but it also promotes an awareness outside of personal gain.