Week 6

This week we are going to delve even deeper into electronic literature. I discussed it a little in the last post, however, we only really touched the surface. I am glad I did though because it helped my understanding on the topic as well as helped my ability to create my Twine game for our second remediation. 

Last time the focus was placed upon hypertext. So my aim this time is to use that and go into more depth regarding electronic literature in general. We have already discussed what electronic literature or e-literature is, that is works of literature that use and take advantage of the abilities of a digital platform, often developed/made for these platforms. 

These works that use hypertext are often referred to as 'Hypermedia' which is short for hypertext media. Other forms of media include 'Multimedia' which involves using a combination of different things like audio, images, text, videos and even interactive content. Then there is 'Interactive media', also known as 'interactive multimedia', where the user is able to control and manipulate those different types of media on a computer-delivered electronic system. All of this media plays a role in electronic literature as it can be displayed and delivered through any of these avenues. 

What is the big difference between literature and electronic literature? Well it is the way we navigate our way through these works. With literature often following a linear narrative, being any story or event described in a sequential manner. Compared to electronic literature, while can also be linear, that sometimes follows a non-linear narrative and may not have a structured format at all. Navigation is one element of e-literature that affects the ways in which we react and respond to the text. It is no simply how readers make their way through the work but how they read it, either by using hypertext and the click of a mouse or simply the typewritten text. These actions involve the reader in ways which peaks their engagement but also affects how the work performs (Pressman, 2007). Hypertext is a very simple and known way for people to use such navigation in their works. 

While I am a sucker for a linear narrative and following along with a story, I can't help but think how I might've enjoyed those stories more with an interactive aspect. I always found myself putting myself in the shoes of the character that I related to the most. I've always really known linear narratives as I never engaged with much else (to no fault of my own, I didn't really go looking anywhere out of my comfort zone). I think that's why I took such a linear approach on my original short narrative. Which caused no issue for my first remediation, in fact I think it worked in my favour. I am glad this second remediation was a basic twine narrative. Basic being the operative word. 

I enjoyed playing around with the different hyperlinks and creating new links. I made a couple minor changes but for the most part my narrative remained the same and I was happy with it. That was until I saw everyone else's remediations. They were all so great and interesting. I felt involved in the stories and I loved it. But mine wasn't like that. Had I done something wrong? Is this a path a should take for my final project? 

I do like the sound of a more interactive piece. I'm not 100% sure if I am able to make it work. However, with my new found skills and knowledge, and as I keep learning through his unit, I'll definitely give it a crack. Whether it's final project worthy or not, we'll have to wait and see. 

(Created on https://imgflip.com/)

References: 
Pressman, J. (2007). Navigating Electronic Literature. Retrieved from http://newhorizons.eliterature.org/essay.php@id=14.html