Interactive Stories

[Faye HG]

Hello,

I am a sci-fi writer and my editor has suggested that I look at the option of interactive stories, but I don't have any experience/knowledge about this medium.
Anyone out there used this type of storytelling, either from the point of view of a writer or reader?
Let me know your thoughts.
Thank You

 

[Montero]

I had to google it, as never heard of it. Vaguely expected it to be with extra functionality, but it appears to be writing a chapter, then someone online writes a bit and then the author writes a bit more. Interactive Stories - Writing.Com.

Is that what your editor is talking about?

 

[Dave]

I thought it meant the books where there is a key to follow. So, at the end of each (page) you have a choice to make. The character can do A or B (or C or D) and depending on the choice you turn to a different page in the book and then continue. The end of the book can be the same for each path taken or there can be different endings, but each reading will be a different story if different choices are taken. Also known as a "Choose-your-own-adventure" book.

In the mid to late '80's there were a lot of these books around on the back of D&D and similar role-playing games, but I'd say that they were mostly aimed at children and at young adults. One exception would be the book You Can Be the Stainless Steel Rat by Harry Harrison which isn't among the best of that series. I personally don't like them but can't really give you a good reason why. I think one reason is that you miss most of the story on one reading, and multiple readings just aren't as different as you might expect them to be. Also, it isn't a book really, it is a game rather than a book.

Is that what your editor is talking about?

 

[zaltys13]

Loved the Fighting Fantasy series when I was twelve, but that's because I was twelve.

 

[Faye HG]

I had to google it, as never heard of it. Vaguely expected it to be with extra functionality, but it appears to be writing a chapter, then someone online writes a bit and then the author writes a bit more. Interactive Stories - Writing.Com.

Is that what your editor is talking about?

That is called a 'Wovel' - essentially a mix between a 'web novel'. I think what he is suggesting is wherein a reader reads a chapter and gets a multi-choice afterwards in which direction they'd like to read.

 

[Faye HG]

Loved the Fighting Fantasy series when I was twelve, but that's because I was twelve.

Yeah, I liked the Indiana Jones 'Choose Your Own Adventure' type books, but then again, I was twelve too! Very good point!

 

[Faye HG]

I thought it meant the books where there is a key to follow. So, at the end of each (page) you have a choice to make. The character can do A or B (or C or D) and depending on the choice you turn to a different page in the book and then continue. The end of the book can be the same for each path taken or there can be different endings, but each reading will be a different story if different choices are taken. Also known as a "Choose-your-own-adventure" book.

In the mid to late '80's there were a lot of these books around on the back of D&D and similar role-playing games, but I'd say that they were mostly aimed at children and at young adults. One exception would be the book You Can Be the Stainless Steel Rat by Harry Harrison which isn't among the best of that series. I personally don't like them but can't really give you a good reason why. I think one reason is that you miss most of the story on one reading, and multiple readings just aren't as different as you might expect them to be. Also, it isn't a book really, it is a game rather than a book.

Is that what your editor is talking about?

That is exactly what my editor means. I agree with you, it is more of a game genre thing than a traditional novel. Just not sure why he suggested this option to me, but then I googled him and found out that he designs interactive games, so maybe he is trying to get me interested in writing something for his company? Thank you for your comprehensive reply btw!