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Help ;_;

9 years ago

Ugh. I've been writing since I was young.....unfortunately, it's not been implemented on this site. I've been writing and working on many stories, though the main priority is Traverser. It's about a guy who can open portals (although that drains his energy greatly) and can swap between Pathos (The mortal world; Earth) and Mythos (the magic world). I've written the story multiple times....with no luck. I haven't exactly done a lot, but I am trying to write it in a way that suits me. So, attention all fantasy writers!

I am currently trying to find a story focus. Should I make it Open World (no direct goal, but plot and characters. For example Ground Zero) or Plot Direct (Direct Goal I edge the story to, multiple endings)?

Help ;_;

9 years ago

Which one is more comfortable to you? Open world or plot direct.

Don't push too far than you have the energy and motivation to do.

Help ;_;

9 years ago

I feel more comfortable doing......well, probably open world, but I don't know how to implement it into my story. You see, I'm content with writing as much pages as possible as long as the story feels appropriate to me.

Help ;_;

9 years ago

Scripting can be too long and too exhausting. If you don't have the energy to do it, then don't.

Help ;_;

9 years ago

Never used it.

Help ;_;

9 years ago

Writing as much pages as possible? Umm... I'm not sure if I can give any advice.

Just focus on the storyline.

Help ;_;

9 years ago

Thanks.

I'm really just stating that I write as much needed.

Help ;_;

9 years ago

While your goal is to publish stories, entertain others, get good ratings, be sure you're comfortable while making it too.

Help ;_;

9 years ago

Yep. Damn my freaking writer's block. 

 

Help ;_;

9 years ago

 I have  no problem with my own story currently since I know what to do and the countermeasures to problems.

If I'm too lazy or can't write a good fight between two characters, then I'll just make one of them escaping, fighting scrubs, or something else while still making the storyline good.

Help ;_;

9 years ago

I'll tell you when I get something done ;_;

Help ;_;

9 years ago

You've been writing since you were young? Er...aren't you still in junior high?

Anyway, you need to learn basic scripting. Nothing complex, but variables and $DEST at the very least will open up so many possibilities and save you so much time and effort it's insane to ignore them. I didn't know the first thing about programming when I joined and still don't, but the system here is super simple, and even if you have trouble memorizing the two or three things you really need, you can basically ask someone for an example of the more common things you'll know you'll be wanting to do, and then copy and paste them as often as needed while just plugging in new text. I do the same thing with on-page variables.

As for plot, I'd say in any story you need to give the character some impetus to get out and do something, or let them start with some aim or goal in mind so the story doesn't just meander around, though there's nothing wrong with that being something small in the beginning. It's not like you have to show all your cards and reveal what the major conflict they're headed for is all on the first page. A story with multiple, completely different paths all with their own branches is ambitious enough that I hope you know what you're getting into there. 

You could always take the 'Direct Goal' approach and see how it gets along, and then once you're done if you're not burnt out and feel it needs more, just make that particular plotline represent one major path and add as many more as you like.

 

Help ;_;

9 years ago

1. Younger. xD

2. Thanks! 

3. Will take this into mind....I have been reading the articles, I have a basic concept of what scripting is. Actually sounds fun, not as hard as it sounds.

Until I get deeper.......

Help ;_;

9 years ago

End matter will probably quote you on that ye know. 

@EndMaster

Help ;_;

9 years ago

Yep.

Help ;_;

9 years ago

I feel a joke about coins' mom would be appropriate here.

Help ;_;

9 years ago

"Until I get deeper......."

Help ;_;

9 years ago

" Younger. It's not as hard as it sounds. Until I get deeper..."

Help ;_;

9 years ago

@ZagHero

@SonicTurboTurtle

 

You fuckin' guys... XD.

Help ;_;

9 years ago

*Curtsies* Why thank you.

Help ;_;

9 years ago
I would humbly suggest that writing a choose-your-own story is very, very different from writing a story. If you are writing your own story, you can make things happen your way. You will know certain events happen and can predict them long before they happen. You have strict limits on your story and your world, and no one can interrupt that control.

When you are writing a choose-your-own story, you lose a bit of that control. While in a way you control the story, you are also inviting the reader in to help define your story. You cannot know, at the start of your story, which options the reader will select. You won't know exactly what encounters will take place in advance if you truly have options.

I think these ideas make this type of writing different. You have to plan differently and write differently. I imagine some people who can write great stories and novels might even have trouble working with this medium effectively. So if you go "plot direct," make sure you consider there will actually be more than one plot, really. I try to think of my choose-your-own stories as multiple individual stories that happen to be quite similar. Each path is its own story and needs to make sense no matter which options the reader takes. To do this and make it work, you do have to take more time and planning and consider the reader and their choices often.

Help ;_;

9 years ago

Thanks! This info is very accurate.