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Hi!  Some new kid here.  I like reading and playing video games, although I haven't read/played a good variety, and I like anime and manga, even though I haven't actually seen/read many shows.  I've gone through some pretty weird series...es, so maybe if you mention something I'll know it?  Well, whatever.

I joined the site because I've always liked the idea of choose-your-own-adventure stories and stuff like that.  However, now that I've joined, I'm not sure what to write!  What a conundrum.  I started on some story in which you, the player, go to a generic mystery mansion and fight demons...but I think I'm writing it out in a way that makes it overly complicated for me, giving the player some items and letting them throw random stuff at opponents, which there would be quite a few of. (I know the advanced editor isn't reccommended for new users - just couldn't resist the chance to use items 'n' variables!) Maybe I should go over it and change it a bit, or start with some - gasp - fan fiction.

...Even if that part should go in another forum, I just thought I'd put it here.  First topic and all.

A thing I have got to point out is that you shouldn't start with stories close to your heart (like stories you've been developing for years in your head and such), I kind of did that and it didn't come out as good as I would have hoped. You should start with just a random theme (I chose zombies) and make a few first stories just to get the hang of everything and then more to master the advanced editor. Then, when you are capable of doing exactly what you want to for the stories you actually care about, you go ahead and make those stories. That's at least what I recommend.

Ive made the same mistake myself, Sindriv is correct, dont start on what you hope to be your masterpeice, work your way up to it.

The problem might be that I just came up with the plot on the spot, and started kind of doing it as I went...which is another thing I'm told not to do.  I think I'd better type out a scenario and then get back to it.  Then I could experiment with a random theme, like zombies.  Thanks for the tip!

I made the entire story idea on the spot, and now I come up with what I'm doing as i go along, but from the reviews I got from the sneak peaks I've put out its going fairly well. I don't plan for this to be my "masterpiece" but don't let that stop you from making an awesome story!

I mean that's what I did too lol.

Just to have the name go back to normal.

There's nothing wrong with coming up with the plot on the spot, I've found it effective as it makes the storygame less linear. Rather than having a set group of options for the reader on the page, you can stop and think and go "what could I do here?" and end up giving the reader many more choices than what you originally intended.

But ultimately it's whichever you find more effective. And don't worry about starting on the Advanced Editor early - it's pretty rewarding once you get the hang of it and I did the same thing on my first story (well.. story in the making, I haven't published one yet haha).

Welcome to the site and good luck!

Well, I've started a different story with a slightly random idea I made up on the spot (while not deleting the one I'd made already) and I'm feeling more enthusiastic, even though I'm requiring myself to do a bunch of research on it, and if I go through with every single thing it will definitely take a while.  It's not as complicated, but has a bunch of stupid extra features like a TV set.  But whatever.  Thanks to you kids for giving me this useful information!  Guess it might not matter whether you made it up really fast, as long as you're having fun with it.

Well if you have any questions with the advanced editor just let us know. I started on the advanced editor, and once I learned the ropes I find it makes things much easier.

Will do!