DigitalLiterature

      Rettberg's use of imagination when introducing E-Lit runs deeper than just closing your eyes for a moment. Electronic, or digital, literature is not only a new age platform for literacy, but also an open door for new advances and creations as literature grows in our world. I was really intrigued by the topic of titles regarding E-Lit, and how the generality of "electronic literature" has remained steady through the first few decades of its life, compared to "digital  literature", which narrows down the realm but doesn't quite allow for the freeing imprecision of "electronic." I had no idea what ELO was until reading this chapter, however it was truly interesting to be taken through the foundational concepts of ELO and what it entails. ELO's original list of forms of electronic literature made me smile because we, as a society, have created a world of electronic literature that expands far beyond the concepts on this list. In my opinion, i...

     Constantly changing and creating new perspectives and realities for readers, electronic literature has largely shaped the way people live. A platform far too diverse to label under one specific genre, as its ability to have endless modifications and formulate people’s thoughts into the hands of millions, gives people endless ways to be creative, resulting in a multitude of genres. Even singular pieces of work are difficult to label, as genres tend to overlap and intertwine with one another. Genres even include the process in which readers must learn to navigate the text as new forms of electronic literature are shown to them, as described by Rettberg. The quote “Imagine the book as a network, always on, always connected, and always changing. Imagine what you could do as a reader. Imagine what you could do as a writer,” (Rettberg, Electronic Literature) puts into perspective one of the biggest goals that technology has achieved for us and how influential it is for tod...

 Electronic literature can be defined as a collection of literary works that utilize the processes and capabilities of computers and the internet. Electronic literature excludes print that has been digitized. Instead, it encompasses literary works that are created on a computer and meant to be interacted with on a computer. Computer coding allows for literary works to evolve into more than just words on a page. Electronic literature has a wide variety of genres that would not be possible with a pen and paper. For example, in interactive fiction, the users input drives the narrative to its conclusion. However, one of the limitations of electronic literature is its tendency to become obsolete. It can easily be deleted or changed, and thus lost to time.  Uncle Roy All Around You | Blast Theory Uncle Roy All Around You is a game which combines the real world with simulation. This took place in London in 2003. Street players are players who are tasked with finding a fictional chara...

  I thought the author's description of how the book can be modified by adding tools to access new information, essentially transforming it into a computer, was interesting because I really appreciate the way information has become so accessible via technology. Prior to reading this, I had no idea that so much electronic literature was influenced by past artistic movements. The distinction made clear between e-books and e-lit really helped clear up the confusion I had with the term as well, but the term “born digital” emphasizes the importance of technology in the creation of the text. The descriptions of how a text can change and shift, either in form or nature, also remind me of how art has been shaped and influenced by technology, creating new art forms and genres of art within the context of technology, like turning a painting into a VR experience. I think this is just because art seems to be a hot topic when it comes to discussing how technology affects creative pursuits....

When the term "electronic literature", or "e-lit", was first introduced to me, I felt that I had a general mental visualization of what this branch of literature may encompass without any further research or explanation. While I was correct in assuming that electronic literature is a hybrid of written text and digital components that can't be replicated through traditional printed text, the e-lit umbrella houses a far more vast variety of digital work than I previously thought. In their article titled, "Electronic Literature: What is it?", N. Katherine Hayles closely reiterated my hypothesis, saying, "Electronic literature, generally considered to exclude print literature that has been digitized, is by contrast 'digital born,' a first-generation digital object created on a computer and (usually) meant to be read on a computer" (Hayles 1). Due to recent and quickly-evolving technology advancements, electronic literature is an aspect of...

 Electronic literature is defined as literature that utilizes digital capabilities to convey its narrative. This term is purposely broad, the genre of electronic literature is expanding constantly, and includes a large variety of media. Works of electronic literature are native to the digital world, therefore, according to the textbook Electronic Literature , "there is no way to experience a work of e-literature unless a computer is running it - reading it and perhaps also generating it" (Strickland, 2009). However, success from E-Literature does not emerge from the literature itself, but the interaction of technology with the aesthetic concerns within a larger historical context. A reader does not simply learn to read the content or style, but they must understand the rules of operation in a particular piece of digital media. The innovation present in electronic literature resembles that of the experimental writing and Avant guard movements of the twentieth century. Yet, the...

 Defining electronic literature is much more complicated than it may seem. Electronic literature can be most simply defined as new forms of writing and genres that explore the capacities of the internet. It is literature that would not be possible without the contemporary technology. Publication of electronic literature has a similar effect as a publication in print, however, electronic literature has the ability to change before the readers eyes which is not something you get in a typical publication of literature. Many electronic literature projects have underlying code or that affect the form and nature of the artwork itself. When it comes to categorizing these pieces into genres, that is when the concept becomes more broad. Because this type of field is known to be quickly evolving, it is difficult to categorize a single piece into just one specific genre. Most pieces of e-lit can be considered to fit into multiple different genres. Electronic literature tests the boundaries an...

  When I first asked myself what electronic literature was, my definition was broad and encompassed many genres of digital literature. I had a very vague understanding that did not feel complete. As I read Electronic Literature by Scott Rettberg, I was able to comprehend what it truly envelops. The Electronic Literature Organization provides their own definition.. “Electronic Literature, or e-lit, refers to works with important literary aspects that take-advantage of the capabilities and contexts provided by the stand-alone or networked computer” the organization also provides a list of examples to characterize the definition being hypertext fiction, computer art, literary apps etc.…(Rettberg 4). As I continued to read more about electronic literature, I found out that many people argue over the correct definition of e-lit, especially throughout the years as it continuously has grown. I also found out what electronic literature is not. E-lit is not entirely focused on only the dig...

In its simplest form, Rettberg describes E-Lit as "... new forms and genres of writing that explore the specific capabilities of the computer and network – literature that would not be possible without the contemporary digital context" (Rettburg 2). Developing over the course of the last 4 decades, and emerging as a relatively recent part of our written history, electronic literature is largely viewed as one of the most prevalent mediums in which people consume literature. At its core, what differentiates electronic literature from written and oral traditions is the utilization of technology that allows it to be created and consumed. Despite the word “literature” in the title, digital literature does not solely refer to just pieces of writing produced electronically. The term can expand to a variety of subtopics within the digital spectrum, such as interactive storytelling, kinetic poetry, or collaborative pieces of writing. Thus, the medium of electronic literature is broa...

 Chapter one of the textbook and N. Katherine Hayles' "Electronic literature: What is it?" both seek out a definition of electronic literature. Retteberg understands the style as literature that, without the digital context, couldn't be possible. It was interesting reading how he differentiates between print and electronic literature. To print a work of literature is to finalize it, "to have reached a state of fixity and completion" (Retteberg, 7). He encourages readers to view pieces of elit as "projects" rather than a piece of work because projects can be further explored, edited, and "can and will change over time" (Rettegerg, 7). Retteberg also dives into what he calls the great "debate" within electronic literature: do humans shape technology by social construction, or have humans become shaped by technologies that structure their environment? He ends up agreeing with N. Hayles stand on the debate, which I agree with too. T...

  What is Electronic Literature?                            These first two readings aim at explaining the field of digital literature and the many facets it encompasses. The field is explained to be ever-changing and cannot be contained or categorized by specific genres, although people try to configure labels. Works of digital literature combine different technologies and ‘genres’ to experiment with new modes of creativity, which is why it is hard to limit a piece of work to the categorization of just one genre. Experimentation is deemed an essential part of electronic literature and the readings specify that even failed experiments teach you and enrich your knowledge on the topic for future creation. Upon entering this class, I was very confused about what digital/electronic literature is. My first and only idea was that it referred to e-books, but now, having had two class periods and read these art...

  Electronic literature explores the bounds of the internet and the computer though different genres and writings. It has been expanding mostly since the 1990s and has continued to develop as technology has changed. Readers are able to encounter, interact, and digest the works in different ways and each may be able to have a completely individual experience with that work. This type of work also allows the reflection of digital changes as well as changes in communication, society, and text. Electronic literature is not granted the preservation that print literature often has. While printed works can be archived and saved, digital media is at t he mercy of the technology, platform, etc. Used for its creation. As a whole, electronic literature goes to challenge the perception and thought of what literature has been and what it can do.   http://www.deenalarsen.net/rain/index.html   “Disappearing Rain” by Deena Larsen is a hypertext fiction that includes links to th...

The Last Performance [dot org] by Judd Morrissey: https://collection.eliterature.org/2/works/morrissey_lastperformance.html      Electronic literature is a broad category of digital-based writing, typically made on and for the computer and excluding the online publication of print works. This definition, however, cannot be understood without considering the changes that an electronic system causes, particularly regarding the question of genre. Digital literature often includes pieces that wouldn’t be considered literature in the traditional sense – such as interactive fiction, locative narratives, and generative art. Reading such pieces allows us to understand how they are both products of and methods for furthering the broader literary tradition. It also lets us recognize the relationship between electronics and art, aspects which have become increasingly entwined. Writing electronic literature allows us to do both these things, and also has the added benefits of helping...

Hello! My name is Cate Kiburis and I’m a sophomore from Keene, NH. Currently, I’m majoring in English, and am considering a possible double major. As someone who has always loved reading and writing, this fall I decided to declare my major in English. While I love film, I'm not very knowledgeable on many digital media forms. However, I know that this is a point of interest for me, and I cannot wait to explore various media this course!  Outside of school, I love to hike, try out new places to eat, and watch movies with my friends. Along with this, I love to read all kinds of books, and I'm always looking for some good book recommendations! I have two cats, Konsty and Souma.

  Hey everyone! My name is Gwen West and I am a junior Recreation Management and Policy major with a focus in Program and Event Management, as well as minoring in English. I'm really excited for Digital Literature and to learn more about the different ways our current world incorporates literature into our modern technology. I play women's club volleyball for UNH and I've been a student leader this year, which has been so fun. In my free time I'm usually hanging out with friends, getting coffee, listening to just about anything, or journaling. Some of my hobbies include yoga, cooking, hiking, camping, and fishing. I'm excited to make friends in this class and get to know everyone!

 Hi everyone! I'm Lilly and I am a readmit student finishing up my senior year! I am an English Education major with a minor in Special-Education, and I also work full time as a paraprofessional over at Cooperative Middle School in Stratham! I come from a family of educators so I do not find myself surprised that I have found education as an interest and passion! I love this field as I find it incredibly rewarding to help students reach their academic and oftentimes, personal goals as well. I grew up in Plymouth, NH and now live in Epping with my son, Beau :) I look forward to learning with you all over the course of the semester!

Hi friends! My name is Cameron, or Cam, Slide and I'm a Junior majoring in English: Text, Business Writing, and Digital Studies! I look forward to gaining a more expansive knowledge of electronic literature, as well as the platforms used to create these bodies of work in this course! Alongside my passion for writing, I have an equal love for photography! The ability to capture temporary life moments into an archival digital frame allows me to reminisce on times in life where I felt the happiest. At the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic in April of 2020, I invested in my first DSLR camera. Like everyone else in the world, I had an abundance of free time, and felt I needed to take my creative energy and channel it in the way I felt would bring me joy. I immersed myself into test photo shoots, taking photos of loved ones and experimenting with color grading in Adobe Lightroom. After 6 months of acquiring content for my portfolio, I started my own photography business, Cameron Slide P...

Hi everyone!  My name is Sky Rousseau and I’m currently a junior. I’m majoring in english/journalism and minoring in communication, and I’m very excited to be taking my writing to digital platforms, as well as expanding my knowledge and creativity in new ways with the software we will use for this class. Reading and writing have always been some of my biggest hobbies, as well as snowboarding, yoga, thrifting, and spending time with my friends. My annual dinner dates and movie nights with my roommates are often the highlight of my week when I’m at school. Below are some pictures of them! I’m looking forwa rd to meeting everyone and learning all about digital literature!  

 Hi!! I'm Julia Danielson :) I'm a sophomore and currently majoring in Psychology and minoring in writing. I'm hoping to turn the minor into a double english major though. I'm super excited for this class! I've always been really into film and writing, so this class seems like a combination of all my favorite things. I'm from Falmouth, Maine which is just outside of Portland. In my free time I enjoy nature walks, writing, listening to new music (always looking for music recs!!), going thrifting and playing with fashion, reading fiction novels, watching netflix, and laughing with friends. The photo is of my two dogs, Obi and Huck. Can't wait to get to know everyone more in class!!

Hello my name is suchana I have no pets unless you count egg-laying chickens. or my brother. I've lived in the Dover area for about a decade, and this will be my third year at UNH. I initially thought I would switch majors at some point, but I guess I never hit a point where I disliked English. I love making stuff - woodworking, ceramics, painting, drawing, videos, collages etc. Making is a process I really enjoy and I love doing it digitally. I would say I am most excited about the new programs we will use and how I can apply those skills in my future career. I think this class will be fun!  When I'm not in class, you will find me binge-watching television in my room, and if the weather permits it, outside with my friends. I also like podcasts, fat cats, aquariums, lime-flavored sodas, and pocket knives.

  Hi everyone! My name is Ava Garcia and I am currently a Junior majoring in Text, Business Writing and Digital Studies with a minor in Nutrition! I originally came into UNH as a nutrition major but after two years I realized it wasn't something I wanted to spend my life doing. I have always had a very creative mind and have loved art, reading and writing so I took a risk and switched into English this year and I have absolutely loved it so far.  I am originally from Dartmouth MA which is a pretty small town right on the water! I loved growing up here and getting to spend so much time outside, especially in the summer. My home is a two minute walk from the beach so I love being able to walk right down to the ocean anytime I’m home.  When I’m not in school I’m usually outside, spending time with my friends, at the gym, or reading. While I have always been a romance novel junkie, switching to English this past year has allowed me to open my eyes to a variety of new genres w...

 Hello!  I'm Hannah, I am a junior English major. I am from Connecticut, and no one has ever heard of the town so I won't go through the trouble of saying. I came to UNH as a social work major but I have always been in love with English, after taking Intro creative nonfiction with Dr. M I switched majors!  I love hiking and reading when I am not in school or working as a preschool teacher. I love plants but I'm pretty good at killing them so I probably need to find a new obsession. I have two dogs, two cats, and a frog!  I am very excited for this class and everyone seems great so far!  Here is a picture of my dog, Piper, and I 

  Hello! My name is Cameron Whitney and I grew up in Amherst, NH, about an hour from UNH. My major is English/Journalism and I love to read and write. I have always found those two activities to be a lovely escape from the harshness of real life. I cherish comfort, kindness, creativity, and honest self-expression. In my free time, I enjoy journaling with words, crafts, and art, along with making potions and buying funky clothes.  I feel excited to learn and get to know everyone in the class! Thank you for reading :)

Intro Hi everyone, my name is CJ and I am very excited for Digital Literature! I am from Brentwood, NH so I am very familiar with the seacoast area. I am a junior studying English/Journalism. When I got to UNH, I didn't really know what I wanted to do, but I knew that I loved music, and film, and writing. Journalism seemed like a good option for me because it combines the creative aspect of storytelling with tangible facts. This combination allows me to never get bored as I am able to work both sides of my brain at the same time! I am hoping to go into a career in broadcast journalism because I like the idea of being in the middle of the action and recording it as it happens.  When I'm on campus and not going to class, I'll probably be in the gym, the dining hall, or rehearsing with Alabaster Blue, UNH's premier a cappella group! It's definitely been one of the best college experiences so far. Off campus I enjoy surfing, hiking, listening to and playing music.  Than...

Hi everyone, this is Abby! I'm currently a Sophomore, and am majoring in General English with a Classics minor. My home is only about 15 minutes away, in Lee, so I've pretty much grown up here. I've always liked traveling to new places, and also enjoy staying at home with a good book or watching a movie, as well as meeting up at cafes and bookstores with friends. The night sky below is from one such occasion. The second photo is the family dog, Trooper, just waking up from a nap. I'm looking forward to learning a lot about digital literature this semester, and am happy to meet you all!

 Hi everyone! My name is Hannah Prevost and I'm a senior English Literature major with a minor in Women's and Gender Studies. I've lived in New Hampshire for my entire life, growing up a little over an hour away from UNH in Merrimack, NH. During my grade school days, I was frequently told by my teachers that my writing skills were something to be proud of and to foster that creativity, but I never believed it. Things changed after my first semester at UNH as a Biomed major didn't go accordingly, so I decided to take a leap of faith and throw myself into English and I've never looked back. When I'm not hunkered down and focused on school, I love to crochet, take care of my plants, or kick back and relax to some funny TikTok's with my girlfriend!  I enjoy being at school, but coming back after the break and leaving my dog at home always breaks my heart a little. He's been my best friend since I was 12 years old and is the most loving dog I've ever met....

Hello, I’m Natalia Rivera and I’m a junior here at UNH. I am majoring in text, business writing & digital studies with a minor in business administration. I am looking forward to learning more about digital literature and engaging with different software’s throughout the semester.  I’m always focusing on ways to improve my understanding of the digital world. I am from Bow, New Hampshire which is only an hour away from campus. While I only live an hour away from home, I still miss my dog and nana plenty. Below are some pictures of my dog Copper and my very hip and cool nana. I love to spend my free time listening to music, hanging with friends, and reading! I am looking forward to learning new things this semester!

It was so nice to meet you all yesterday! What a winter wonderland to come back to! I'm Melinda/Prof/Dr. White/Dr. M and I'm excited for this semester exploring electronic literature in its many forms and experimenting with some platforms with you! My background is in postmodern and electronic literature, as well as immersive narrative spaces, like installation art and virtual reality. I live in Maine (previously Dover) with my partner, some teenagers, a black lab, Tessie, and a bunny, Ziva! When I'm not working from home, I enjoy lots of pet time, hiking, skiing, yoga, swimming, painting, cooking, reading, and writing! Here's to a semester of adventure! Tess & Z