Eve's Week 1 Bring it to the Table

    These readings helped me gain a basic understanding of the different genres of digital literature and what sets it apart from traditional literature. In Electronic Literature, Scott Rettberg writes, “While the authors and artists working in the field are informed by the historical influence of other arts disciplines and practices, their work is equally shaped and delimited by technological innovation. The software and platforms used to develop works of electronic literature constrain and afford properties of these emergent genres in significant ways” (Rettberg 3). The use of different platforms and software allows authors to add layers to a piece that can’t be accomplished by a physical book. The ability to add non-text features like images, art, music, videos and more can change the message of their writing. Some platforms allow the author to change aspects of writing or programming after it is initially published, which could also impact the story. I’ve gathered from the reading that “genres” in electronic literature refer more to the style and software used than the plot of the story itself, unlike a traditional book. 

    I decided to take a closer look at Deena Larson’s Disappearing Rain, which N. Katherine Hayles briefly discussed in her writing. I did not have time to read the entire work, but it was interesting to click through. It is an interactive work of hypertext fiction about a college student that goes missing. The reader can choose to follow one of the two major parts which both contain subplots and stories of multiple characters. There is some sense of continuity throughout, but I did find myself getting confused at times. There are a lot of links to choose from and I couldn’t tell if I was clicking through it in the right order. I think that the slightly confusing set up could be intentional, because the story can be interpreted differently depending on how you go through the sections.