On the way in which the internet and literature can be happy together.

One thing I’ve always wanted out of a creative writing curriculum but never got was a class specifically aimed at analyzing the ways in which writers can use the internet and incorporate interactivity into “serious” literature. I’m not saying anything anyone hasn’t already said when I say the internet is the future, and writing will warp, and perhaps make its way towards video games. Or something like that.

I’m going to try and find as many interesting online writing projects as I can and highlight them at WWAATD. If you know of any interesting ones, let me know.

Erica Eller's Vignette Fictions

Erica Eller, a writer in a workshop of mine, recently presented her Vignette Fictions project to the class. The more I really think about it, the more I like the idea for its simplicity, and its very tame and simple ambitions. The biggest danger with the web and literature is getting too ambitious, without a foundation to build upon. The more effective and simple a project is, at this point in the interlit game, the better. As readers dive further into this world and interlit starts to grab some coming-of-age videogamers, things will get more complex. But right now Eller’s simple approach is great. From her site:

The numbered Vignettes (Beginning with Vignette 1) are written by Erica Eller and posted in order for you to appropriate, expand, contract, manipulate, edit or re-write. Artwork, Photography, Comic-Strips, and Videos are all encouraged. No rules apply. This blog demonstrates how Short Fictions grow in the minds of readers. Send the results via e-mail to ericaleller@gmail.com to be posted.

Check out the site. So far, a lot of people have responded in concrete form, by taking a printed vignette, and writing their edits/additions/subtractions directly onto the cards. Others have just responded using their own words.

One of the altered Vignette Fictions

The project is presented in a simple blog format, with no further tricks or bells or whistles. This is smart, I think. As the project evolves and a community builds, there will be more opportunity to analyze the way the “user” can participate in this interlit project.

I’ve had a lot of ideas on how to merge the internet into literature, but usually the ambitions cripple the project (a.k.a. I’m too lazy to do anything so big and scary). Eller’s project is one that will surely succeed and it’s one to build on.