Hyper-text

Two Common Criticisms of Traditional Narrative

It's too linear.
It's too closed.
These two attributes are usually linked to the rigidity of the patriarchy. Feminist theoreticians (from Irigaray to Rich) argue for a "womanly" way of writing which will be open-ended and interwoven.

Even within the narrative tradition (in both novel and cinema) there are plenty of fractured/tortured narratives. Most of them experimental, fringe and difficult - I do not know of any of these narratives that are also "popular."

Hypertext is inherently non-linear. Many web-based projects are open-ended. Nevertheless, I still have not found a narrative that exploits these characteristics in a way I find compelling. They may be more interesting to take part in than to read, and thus be closer in kind to moos.

Here are some places to look for fiction.

Hyperizons: the Search for Hypertext Fiction

Web Hyperfiction Reading List

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