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Sections:

Creative Writing (Standalone)
Prompts
Poetry (Standalone)
Everything Else
Competitions
Game Design
Storywriting
Storywriting Critique
The Weekly Review

Creative Writing (Standalone)

EndMaster's short stories
- Nine exceptional stories from EndMaster written as prompts at one point or the other in the 2000s. Highly recommended for fans of the author.
The Call of PikaChulu by BerkaZerka
- BerkaZerka crosses the Lovecraftian mythos with the Pokemon world. Chaos, comedy, and a rogue Pikachu follow.
Dark City by BerkaZerka
- Dark City is a collaborative story by the site’s members, set around a city where the villains reign supreme. The fantastic may be involved, but all supernatural occurrences retain an element of plausible deniability. The setting has inspired some excellent reading, and though it may not be updated too frequently, new content is always welcome.
- Has evolved a detailed backstory and supporting elements, helpful for anyone wanting to step up and add to this content available here.
- Tags: Collaborative Content, Fantasy, Modern Times, Dystopia, Economics
The Council of Nine by Steve24833
- If you aren’t offended, Steve isn’t doing his job well. An alternate reality story set in the world of CYStia where forum personalities are the protagonists.
Cystia Fall into Darkness by mizal
- The one where a Banisher takes reaping tips from a Necromancer.
Untitled, by EbonVasilis
- Two roads diverged from one moment. An excellent short story with a time skip, and pens which can change the properties of reality.
- Tags: Short Story, Fantasy, Dystopia, Magic
Zag's Collaborative CYOA - Born Among a Hundred
- Zaghero builds a superhero story where the forum members decide what happens next.
A Westerner goes to Japan by StrykerL
- A humorous short story on the importance of focus while writing.
Untitled, by Fazztheman
- Tags: Modern, Family,
Chapter 1: The Order of the Glowing Sigil, by seib6466
- Tags: Short Story, Fantasy, Magic
Snippet from a fantasy story, by mizal
- A 1,000 word story.
Untitled story, by Seto
- Seto finally steps up and writes an intriguing tale.

Prompts

Prompts are an excellent way to flex your literary muscles and get honest feedback on your work. At the same time, you also get a chance to see how other authors worked with the same prompts. New members (and experienced ones who want to sharpen their skills) are welcome to participate in these.

Seto’s writing prompts have inspired weeks of excellent writing, based on at least one of three prompts chosen every week.

Writing Prompts: Week #1

Prompt #1: An assassin gets hired to kill a man who doesn't exist.
Prompt #2: A thief attempts to steal a mask
Prompt #3: "I told you to run"

Writing Prompts: Week #2

Prompt #1: The protagonist sacrifices themselves to save the antagonist.
Prompt #2: The king is dead...
Prompt #3: "What happens when the clock strikes twelve?"

Writing Prompts: Week #3

Prompt #1: Write a story set in a world in the future, where machine and men are basically one and the same.
Prompt #2: Sharing an ice cream during the apocalypse.
Prompt #3: "Is revenge a science or an art?"

Writing Prompts: Week # 4

Prompt #1: The antagonist and protagonist are family, and every Christmas they go home and have a Christmas dinner with their parents. (Doesn't have to be a superhero/supervillain sort of dynamic)
Prompt #2: An abandoned house.
Prompt #3: "I never thought I'd enjoy my own funeral so much"

Writing Prompts: Week #5

Prompt #1: A character finds out that a very common, everyday object he/she owns contains immense power.
Prompt #2: (I don't want to influence your take on this picture, so I'm not going to provide a description.)
Prompt #3: "It seemed like a good idea yesterday."

Writing Prompts Week #7

Prompt #1: A child notices their birthday cake always has 5 candles.
Prompt #2: The Dragon Village
Prompt #3: "Reality doesn't work that way."

Writing Prompts: Week #8

Prompt #1: What if you were just the side character in a story?
Prompt #2: A winter journey
Prompt #3: "Are we the only ones left?"

Writing Prompts Week #9

Prompt #1: A stowaway tried to sneak onto the wrong boat.
Prompt #2: Self-Portrait
Prompt #3: "I woke up to the sound of a little girl giggling."

Writing Prompts Week #10

Prompt #1: The princess fights the dragon
Prompt #2: The Hunted Hunter
Prompt #3: "The king laid dead at my feet"

Romulus’ poetry prompts have been well curated and a strong focus on the technical aspects of poetry are especially helpful for aspiring poets.

Poetry Prompts - Week 1

Topic: Winter
Optional requirement: Write a poem using iambic and/or trochaic lines.

Poetry Prompts - Week 2

Topic: Cities
Optional requirement: Incorporate a form of rhyme in your poem

Poetry Prompts - Week 3

Topic: Something Sad.
Optional requirement: Incorporate a form of alliteration.

Poetry Prompts - Week 4

Topic: Anything at All.
Optional requirement: Write your poem in Blank Verse.

Poetry Prompts - Week 5

Topic: Love.
Optional requirement: Write a sonnet.

Poetry Prompts - Week 6

Topic: Time.
Optional requirement: Write a ballad.

Poetry Prompts - Week 7

Topic: Contemplation.
Optional requirement: Write an elegy.

Back to Sections

Poetry (Standalone)

Poetry for religions class by Betaband

A poem with an eerie vibe.

Back to Sections

Everything else

The CYStian Roll of Honor by Will11 – Week 1

Will11 tracks the highest commendation Earners of CYStia.

List of interesting Interactive Fiction games

Many Parser based. Note IF differs from CYoA in that IF tends to be Parser led narrative while CYoA tends to be structured choice led narrative.

An interview with RA Montgomery, by Fleshnblood_78. Mr Montgomery played a key role in the rise of the CYoA books in the 1980s, partnering to both launch them and write them. Thread also contains discussion over other forms of CYoAs in media.

What is Flash Fiction?

Expertly explained by IronPanther.

EndMaster’s product line

The middle of another CYS vs CoG thread produces an unexpected gem as EndMaster gets into the consumer products business… to dubious results. No refunds accepted, and always read the fine print. Thread also has a quick discussion on economics of commercial storygames.

The Sage’s Library

Creative banter regarding the nature of the Orders.

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Competitions

Bucky's Chaos CYOA Contest, March - April 2017 (Ongoing)

The world is not right. Pandemonium, disorder, and bedlam plague the story universe. Figurative darkness has fallen and anarchy reigns. Where do we go from here? Has already driven three Chaos Seekers to fight for glory.

Bucky’s February Flash Fiction Contest, February 2017

Home to numerous commended 200-300 word flash fiction entries from a diverse list of authors and spanning numerous genres. An excellence compilation of stories that convey a lot with a little. Recommended for new writers.

Related: Feedback thread here

EndMaster’s EdgeLord Competition, February 2017

[Mature Content] A compendium of the edgiest works CYS could churn out, to appease EndMaster’s will, complete with EndMaster’s gleeful roasts of the participants. You’ll want to avoid this if you’re easily offended.

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Game Design

Game design is distinct from Storywriting in its focus on the nature of choices and consequences in game structure.

A large list of resources (outside CYS) useful for designing CYOAs

A list of varied resources that is highly recommended to everyone wanting to improve their storygame making skills. If you have additional resources you would recommend, kindly add them to the thread.

Consequences of failure

Useful resource for methods in which a player can show consequence beyond a simple game over screen. Contains extensive discussion on the topic.

On methods to explore the game world

Are games with only one or two end links acceptable?

Detailed insights on how to design epic storygames where quest mechanics are involved

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Storywriting

Why removing guns in a fiction setting won’t lead to swordfights

An inquiry whether the absence of guns would realistically lead to modern day equivalent battles being fought in close quarters (swordfighting, for example) leads to multiple helpful responses. The quick answer: no, the longer answer: it’s nuanced.

Good ways to start off a story and invoke emotion?

Ways to start off a storygame that hooks readers in and evokes emotion. Useful for writers who may be struggling to start off their story on a strong note.

Excellent advice for writing a story, by mizal

On the use of Flashbacks

On Naming a Villain (hint: they can be named anything, it’s the actions that count)

How to create a setting

A discussion on the use of multiple Points of View in storytelling

How to speed-proofread well

Tips for writing sequels

Tips on how to making aliens (and different perspectives in general) different in a story

How to Indicate Sound in Writing? (Onomatopoeia)

Why to not make ‘multiple part’ stories (make complete, self-contained stories)

On the use of commas

Murder Mysteries, Detective Stories, and Linearity

Quotation marks and commas

WIBN asks what the audience likes in a CYoA

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Storywriting Critique

The following are prompts put up in the writing workshop that got helpful feedback. Some of the pointers on these threads may be useful for writers aiming to work with similar themes.

DaCaRi’s Pirate story

Feedback related to: Character design, use of magic

Tags: Pirate, Treasure, Magic

Nyctophilia’s Aloris: The King’s Son storyline

Feedback related to: World building, Detailing

Tags: Fantasy, War, Politics

StrykerL’s Floatstones – Thinking out loud

Feedback related to: World building, Detailing

Tags: Sci-Fi, Technology, Post-Apocalyptic

TheTraveler’s Untitled Post-Apocalyptic story

Feedback related to: Passive vs Active, Clichéd descriptions, detailing, grammar, planning

Tags: Sci-Fi, Family, Post-Apocalyptic, Mystery

Making a Rebellion Story

Feedback related to: Plot consistency and meaning

Tags: High Fantasy, Politics, Laws, Governance

Back to Sections

The Weekly Review

The Weekly Review - Edition 36

What is New Section giving the latest info on the Forums
The intriguing Article: Lists by StrykerL
An Interview with the great site member Crescentstar
A Review of Grape’s Fruit Tale by Will11
This fantastic Short Story: Little Things by Mizal
Finally, Special Section: This Site by StrykerL

The Weekly Review - Edition 35

What is New Section giving the latest info on the Forums
The intriguing Article: Getting on board with The Orders thing by Will11
An Interview with the great site member StrykerL
A Review of Endmaster’s Innkeeper by Will11
This fantastic Short Story: Little Things by Mizal
Finally, Special Section: How to Write Good by Will11

The Weekly Review - Edition 34

What is New Section giving the latest info on the Forums
The intriguing Article: Commendations, Orders and Titles by Seto and StykerL
An Interview with the great site member Wouldn’t It Be Nice
A Review of Endmaster’s Innkeeper by Will11
This fantastic Short Story: The Magician’s House by Will11
Finally, Special Section: He Said “No” by Will11

The Weekly Review - Edition 33

What is New Section giving the latest info on the Forums
The intriguing Article: The Weekly Review by Will11
An Interview with the great site member MinnieKing
A Review of Briar_Rose’s The Price of Freedom: Innocence Lost by Will11
This fantastic Short Story: The Magician’s House by Will11
Finally, Special Section: Movie Comedy by Will11

The Weekly Review - Edition 32

A What is New Section giving the latest info on the Forums
An Article on What’s happening to my site?: An Article for Cystians
A Review of the Lost Expedition (2) by Will11, reviewed Seto
The Short Story Death Walked Into The Village
CYStian Review of MinnieKing
The Special Section where Steve makes another desperate grab for power using the newspaper as he doesn't know what else to put in that section but gibberish

The Weekly Review - Edition 31

A What is New Section giving the latest info on the Forums
A blank space where the article would’ve went if someone had actually written it. Ah screw it, I'll just write an article now.
A Review of The Multiverse Chalkboard, reviewed by Steve24833
The Short Story by Mizal called The Only Peace Possible (Please note that none of it's in italics, because fuck your system, mizal, the tags frustrate me)
CYStian Review of Will11
A Special Section on the Four Orders

The Weekly Review - Edition 30

What is New Section giving the latest info on the Forums
The intriguing Article: Submitting Help and Info Articles by Will11
An Interview with the great site member BradinDvorak
A Review of Sethaniel’s Haunted by Will11
This fantastic Short Story: A Dragon Comes Calling by Mizal
Finally, Special Section: Courtroom Comedy by Will11

The Weekly Review - Edition 29

What is New Section giving the latest info on the Forums
The intriguing Article: Writing with intent by Mizal
An Interview with the great site member Zaghero
A Review of Chocobot’s ‘A Jung Hero’s Adventure’ by Mizal
This fantastic Short Story: A Dragon Comes Calling by Mizal
Finally, Special Section: Funniest True Book Titles by Will11

The Weekly Review - Edition 28

A What is New Section giving the latest info on the Forums
An Article on Solving the Procrastination Crisis
A Review of tsmpaul’s 8 Goals, 28 Rolls, reviewed by Steve24833
A Short Story by WIBN
CYStian Review of ZagHero
A Special Section of a Defense of Communism
Credits!

The Weekly Review - Edition 27

A What is New Section giving the latest info on the Forums
An Article on Flow by Bucky
A Review of AppDude27 and TerrAquVen’s 4 Little Mice, reviewed by Steve24833
The Short Story Stupidity by Steve24833
A new section: CYStian Review of mizal
A Special Section of the big questions of life and their obvious answers by Steve24833

The Weekly Review - Edition 26

A What is New Section giving the latest info on the Forums
An Article on some word stuff or grammar or whatever by Bucky
A Review of Dragon Ages by socialspider, reviewed by Seto.
The Christmas Poem the Hangover by Steve24833
A Special Section on Why You Didn’t Find Any Presents Under Your Tree by Steve24833

The Weekly Review - Edition 25

A What is New Section giving the latest info on the Forums!
An Article on Bucky’s Great Competition by Will11!
An Interview of the fantastic site member Will11 by Seto!
A Review of Killa Robot’s Inepta Academy, written by Steve24833!
The Short Story Discovery by the terrific writer Steve24833!
A Special Section of Famous Last Words!
Credits!

The Weekly Review - Edition 24

A What is New Section giving the latest info on the Forums!
An Article on Procrastination by temporaryaccount!
An Interview of the fantastic site member Malkalack!
A Review of How not to Write by its author Will11 (SHAMLESS SELF-PUBLICITY ALERT)!
The Short Story Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child by the terrific writer Steve24833!
A Special Section of Will11’s entry for the ballad-writing competition!
Credits!

The Weekly Review - Edition 23

A What is New Section giving the latest info on the Forums!
An Article about the popularity of Story Game genres!
An Interview of the fantastic site member Ford!
A Review of Wonko_the_Sane’s great story The Vampire Hunter by Steve 24833!
The Short Story High-Functioning by the terrific writer Steve24833!
A Special Section of jokes!

The Weekly Review - Edition 22

A What’s New Section giving the latest info on the Forums!
An Article about giving and receiving criticism by Steve 24833!
An Interview of the fantastic site member Seto!
A Review of BerkaZerka’s great Everything Else story Cows vs. Aliens!
A Short Story by the terrific writer Steve24833!
A Special Section of jokes!

The Weekly Review - Edition 21

A What’s New Section giving the latest info on the Forums!
An Article explaining what to do after you get banned by Steve 24833!
An Interview of the fantastic site member TharaApples!
A Review of Romulus’s great Fan Fiction story The Raven!
A Short Story by the terrific writer Mizal!
A Special Section of jokes!

The Weekly Review - Edition 20

A What’s New Section giving the latest info on the Forums!
An Article exploring the usefulness of Articles!
An Interview of the fantastic site member Bucky!
A Review of the great Fantasy story The Path of Death!
A Short Story by the terrific writer Steve25833!
A Special Section with a great satirical poem by keen author Lancelot!
Credits!

The Weekly Review - Edition 19

A What’s New Section giving the latest info on the Forums!
An Article exploring the challenges of writing!
An Interview of the fantastic site member Mizal!
A Review of the great Edutainment Story Mutiny on the Bounty!
A Short Story by the fantastic site member Mizal!
A Special Section on Comedy and a Brand New Special Section!
Credits!

The Weekly Review - Edition 18

In Newbie Central newcomers DoctorFizz0505 introduces his or her fantastic self to the site!
In the Lounge Steve24833 starts an Apology Thread for anyone that feels the need to get anything off their chests…
In the Parlor Room ugilick raises an interesting question about first and third person perspectives in stories.
In the Writing Workshop DoctorFizz0505 triggers a very lively discussion about Sci-Fi ideas for stories.
In the Reading Corner Kingler1140 looks for fellow fans of the book My Side of the Mountain.

The Weekly Review - Edition 17

In Newbie Central newcomers Catlover02 and GNeighbour introduce their fantastic selves to the site!
In the Lounge Poeticmindframe45 triggers a lively debate about whether transgender preferences should be considered a mental illness or not…
In the Parlor Room Kiel Farren’s A Game of Life and Death and Gmmcgee’s Avery M continue to puzzle and bemuse.
In the Writing Workshop Killa_Robot seeks writers to help update some of the site’s more outdated Articles.
In the Reading Corner things remain quiet from last week… I wonder if anyone has been reading anything good lately?

The Weekly Review - Edition 16

The Weekly Review returns again, publishing every Sunday!

In Newbie Central newcomers Leek, Exbandivis, AtheistCat and Trashy_To_The_Max introduce their fantastic selves to the site!
In the Lounge EndMaster continues his time-consuming but greatly-appreciated war to improve the quality of the site, aided by hard work of TharaApples!
In the Parlour Room site members are still seeking assistance to beat that incredibly tricky Wall Mart Game!
In the Writing Workshop Axiom continues to deliver great writing prompts and Bucky’s writing competition counts down to its deadline!
In the Reading Corner Bannerlord reminds us what a fantastic series the Darren Shan books were!

The Weekly Review - Edition 15

Interviewee: Chase223
Review: Achilles
Quiz: Howdrunk izz yoo?

The Weekly Review - Edition 14

Interviewee: Steve24833
Review: Achilles 2
Quiz: Will you go to Heaven or Hell?

The Weekly Review - Edition 13

Interviewee: BerkaZerka
Review: Kill Aman's Mustache
Quiz: How marriageable are you?

The Weekly Review - Edition 12

Interviewee: Myself!
Review: Randomly Walk II, the Epic Sequel. Or Randomly Walk 2, with different capitalization... I don't know what I called that old thing...
Quiz: Do you know your history?

The Weekly Review - Edition 11