Alpha Report
So, on Monday I played around with Jed's don't-blow-up-the-place game and Dani's Italian hypertext adventure. Jed and I talked about some things he needs to add into his game, because there wasn't much for me to do yet, but I suck at puzzle games, so I probably won't be the best tester even when there is more to do.
Dani's hypertext reminded me a ton of The Body, which I'm pretty sure it was inspired from. Sometimes it got a little confusing, but I'm sure she'll be up for hours rectifying any flaws, real or imagined.
Getting their feedback on my own hypetext project made me realize some important things. I'm going to have to make some cuts. See, my entire reason for writing it was to prove I can write a readable, enjoyable story using hypertext as a medium. I haven't given up on that. But I'm at two sections, which equal sixty "nodes", which equal 14,000 words. At this point, to finish the story would be at least another ten thousand words, because section three was meant to be 7,000 words and the conclusion, section four, was meant to be 3,000. That's not looking like a realistic goal.
At this point, the best thing I can do is improve the existing text--instructions, hyperlinks, and prose, for the most part. I would like to finish the story in the future, but not now. I don't want to sacrifice quality for quantity, and I know that's exactly what would happen if I mindlessly pursued the story with no regard for the readers. I'd have a gigantic, unreadable spiderweb. Which was the exact opposite of the entire point of this project.
I don't think I've failed. Dani jokingly said she'd like to read my story all the way through someday...if she had five hours to spare. I've already created something of merit. Maybe I'll write the conclusion over Christmas break, or for another class in the future. I'm certainly not done with the story yet.
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Dani's hypertext reminded me a ton of The Body, which I'm pretty sure it was inspired from. Sometimes it got a little confusing, but I'm sure she'll be up for hours rectifying any flaws, real or imagined.
Getting their feedback on my own hypetext project made me realize some important things. I'm going to have to make some cuts. See, my entire reason for writing it was to prove I can write a readable, enjoyable story using hypertext as a medium. I haven't given up on that. But I'm at two sections, which equal sixty "nodes", which equal 14,000 words. At this point, to finish the story would be at least another ten thousand words, because section three was meant to be 7,000 words and the conclusion, section four, was meant to be 3,000. That's not looking like a realistic goal.
At this point, the best thing I can do is improve the existing text--instructions, hyperlinks, and prose, for the most part. I would like to finish the story in the future, but not now. I don't want to sacrifice quality for quantity, and I know that's exactly what would happen if I mindlessly pursued the story with no regard for the readers. I'd have a gigantic, unreadable spiderweb. Which was the exact opposite of the entire point of this project.
I don't think I've failed. Dani jokingly said she'd like to read my story all the way through someday...if she had five hours to spare. I've already created something of merit. Maybe I'll write the conclusion over Christmas break, or for another class in the future. I'm certainly not done with the story yet.
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Christina Celona on Alpha Report: I think the best thing for me
Daniella Choynowski on Alpha Report: I made the first word of the t
Dennis G. Jerz on Alpha Report: I think if you make an artisti
Daniella Choynowski on Alpha Report: I made the first word of the t
Dennis G. Jerz on Alpha Report: I think if you make an artisti
I think if you make an artistically satisfying smaller section of something that will eventually be bigger, that would be a great accomplishment -- there's a reason why hypertext is hard to get done right, and there's no better way to learn the strengths and challenges of the medium than to try to work with it yourself.
There is an advanced "New Media Projects" course that, in its present form, does not really focus on hypertext, but if I had more students who were interested in creative hypertext, I could probably prepare a unit in that.
There's also the possibility of doing an independent study.
I made the first word of the text on the page link back to the previous page, so the viewer does not have to use the back button. And I've discovered how to alter the font size and type. My personal pictures from Italy are in the mail, priority shipping their way up here as we speak.
Christina, its evident that you spent a lot of time on your game. I see potential for an actual novel, so I wouldn't let this go after EL 236. But we do only have two weeks of class left, so I think a good goal would be to finish Part 3. It's a great, interesting story. The book is said it reminded be of is called "Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom".
You've definately got writing talent, and your project makes me yearn for creative writing a litte. But that's why I have my own column in the paper.
I think the best thing for me to do at this point would be to throw in a "READ ME FIRST!" page, which would have instructions for people who aren't as familiar with hypertext, plus it would explain some of the idiosyncrasies of this particular piece, because no two hypertext stories are exactly the same.
I might be interested in finishing this for another class as well. I'm still not 100% sure what exactly New Media Journalism is, Dr. Jerz, but I'd probably be interested in looking at some of those courses that you suggested in your e-mail, too.
Dani, from watching you and Jed play, I realized that I need way more hyperlinks. After you get to a certain point, the "backstory" links stop being offered. And if you never read the backstory, the main story makes less sense. And of course, the writing itself needs work, especially further in, where I was more pressed for time as I wrote.
I have no intention of letting the story go. I'll probably work on it as much as I can over Christmas break. I like the idea of seeing it as a traditional novel as well. I'd be able to work in all the details that I planned for, but have had to sacrifice for the hypertext.