Definitions

HYPERTEXT:

The term hypertext was coined in 1963 by Theodore Nelson. His definition is:

“Hypertext means forms of writing which branch or perform on request; they are best presented on computer display screens. Discrete or chunk style, hypertexts consist of separate pieces of texts connected by links.” (Wardip-Fruin, 2004)

HYPERTEXT FICTION:

“Hypertext fiction is a genre of electronic literature, characterized by the use of hypertext links which provide a new context for non-linearity in literature and reader interaction. The reader typically chooses links to move from one node of text to the next, and in this fashion arranges a story from a deeper pool of potential stories.” (Bishop, J, 2009)

Examples

“Afternoon, a Story”  By Michael Joyce is considered to be the first recognized hypertext novel. Published in  1987, by Eastgate Systems. It was created on Storyspace software.

The most well cited hypertext fictions, published in 1995 by Shelly Jackson called, “Patchwork Girl” also published by Eastgate Systems via Storyspace. I suggest you watch this short demonstration on what it was like to be a reader of “Patchwork Girl”

M.D. Coverly’s “Califa” (you guessed it, published by Eastgate Systems via Storyspace) is considered to be one of the more successful hypertext books. It uses the platform of many characters and the need to switch between them and their perspectives that breaks the linear model and works well with the flexibility of hypertexts.

References

Wardrip-Fruin, N. (2004) What Hypertext is. Proceedings of the fifteenthAMV conference on Hypertext and hypermedia, August 9-13, 20014. Santa Cruz, Ca, USA.