Interactive stories are an often underestimated way to create a narrative.
It can be used for videogames (obviously), game books (like Lone Wolf) or even ingenious video series like ROT by “The East Patch”.
Here are 20 tricks to write great interactive stories.
1. Plan the Story in Advance – Before you start writing, it’s important to have a plan for your story. This will help you stay on track and ensure that your story is well-structured.
2. Use Branching Paths – Branching paths are a key element of interactive stories. They allow readers to make choices that affect the outcome of the story. Use a program like Twine to keep track of the paths.
3. Keep the Story Moving – Don’t let your readers get bogged down in too much exposition or description. Keep the story moving at a brisk pace.
4. Use a Variety of Media – Don’t be afraid to use a variety of media in your interactive story. This could include images, videos, and audio files.
5. Get Feedback from Others – Once you’ve finished writing your story, get feedback from others. This will help you identify any areas that need improvement.
6. Use a Conversational Tone – Interactive stories are more engaging when they’re written in a conversational tone. This will help your readers feel like they’re part of the story.
7. Make the Story Personal – Let your readers get to know the characters in your story. This will help them connect with the story on a personal level.
8. Use cliffhangers – Cliffhangers are a great way to keep your readers engaged. They’ll be eager to find out what happens next.
9. Use a Variety of Endings – Don’t be afraid to use a variety of endings in your interactive story. This will give your readers a sense of closure.
10. Make the Story Replayable – Replayability is an important aspect of interactive stories. Make sure your story is interesting enough to be replayed multiple times.
11. Use a Storyboard – A storyboard can be a helpful tool for planning your interactive story. It will help you visualize the different paths that your story can take.
12. Use a Variety of Puzzles – Puzzles are a great way to add an element of challenge to your interactive story. They’ll also help your readers feel like they’re solving a mystery.
13. Use a Variety of Rewards – Rewards are a great way to motivate your readers. They’ll be more likely to finish your story if they know that they’ll be rewarded for their efforts.
14. Use a Variety of Challenges – Challenges are a great way to keep your readers engaged. They’ll be more likely to finish your story if they know that they’ll be challenged along the way.
15. Use a Variety of Settings – Settings are an important part of any story. They can help to create a sense of atmosphere and mood.
16. Use a Variety of Characters – Characters are an important part of any story. They can help to drive the plot and create conflict.
17. Use a Variety of Themes – Themes are an important part of any story. They can help to give the story meaning and purpose.
18. Use a Variety of Genres – Genres are an important part of any story. They can help to set the tone and expectations for the story.
19. Use a Variety of Tools – There are a variety of tools available to help you create interactive stories. These tools can help you with everything from planning your story to creating the final product.
20. Have Fun! – Writing interactive stories should be fun. If you’re not enjoying yourself, it will show in your writing.