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I Keep Writing Storygames and Deleting Them

5 years ago

I keep thinking "AL, it's time to write your first storygame." But ever time I do, I think that the story plot is bad or it isn't going to make up a full story, just a short one. Even with the "a llama lost their hat" idea, my brother ended up deleting it and I didn't have the time to continue. I want to create a romance, fantasy, or horror storygame that's actually long, but I don't know any good titles and I don't know how to start and continue the story. ;-;

I Keep Writing Storygames and Deleting Them

5 years ago

There are a few articles that can help you listed in Help & Info. Also, you don't have to title your story before you write it. Often times I find that trying to name it before you write it wastes too much time you can actually use writing! Keeping motivation going is often hard but you can also set daily goals for yourself, like to write 500 words a day or something similar. Setting goals and then rewarding yourself for completing them creates a positive feedback loop and you'll actually start doing it without having to force it. :) Hope this helps!

I Keep Writing Storygames and Deleting Them

5 years ago
Let's keep this simple.

Once you have your setting and main character in mind, just sit down and think of maybe, three scenes that would work as the ends of a really cool story about them. Jot down whatever details about them you don't want to forget.

Then think of a scene that works as an interesting beginning to introduce the setting, character, and some kind of conflict. (It doesn't have to be the main conflict yet.)

Usually you want to go with something that gets the reader to sympathize with the character, or gets them curious enough about a question the intro has raised to keep reading in order to find the answer.

Now you have a beginning, and three major 'canon' endings. All you have to do is think of a realistic and interesting way the character would get from one to each of the others, and some smaller choices that might change things or end the adventure early along the way. If you want to get fancy, you can think of a moral or theme, like 'friendship', 'overcoming fears', or 'brothers are annoying but in the long run it's best to just put with them', and try to tie events back to that so that you have this one big idea holding everything together.

The story doesn't have to be especially long to be good, and honestly I'd leave topics like romance or horror until you're a little more experienced. Something like a straightforward adventure story would be the best for now while you're getting the hang of it.