Experimenting with Story Structure

Discussion in 'Authors' Hangout' started by MischiefMystic, May 4, 2016.

  1. I'm pretty new so I don't know if this kind of thing has been done before, but I'd like to create a story that has a basic framework laid out or provides more structure/direction for different possible story branches. So the introduction would be fully written and a set of options would be listed (you'd still be able to add more as well). For each branch/option there would be an outline of some sort or a specific "mission" that the writer would need to address in that chapter. For example:

    What is his profession?
    Doctor
    Teacher
    Cop
    Casting Agent
    + Add a new chapter

    Since (I don't think) you can edit other peoples' chapters, only add new ones, I would include the "challenge" or prompts within each chapter. So clicking on Branch 1 (Doctor) would only contain a little bit of text. And then you would use that to create the next chapter. Does that make sense?
    So like this:

    Introduction
    Chapter - Doctor prompt/challenge
    + New Chapter - Your Doctor response
    Chapter - Teacher prompt/challenge
    + New Chapter - Your Teacher response etc.

    I'm not even sure if there would be any interest in this kind of story but I think it could be fun to make it more game-like. But it's not really how it's "supposed" to be done so I wanted to get some feedback before attempting it. :D
     
  2. Artican

    Artican Really Experienced CHYOA Backer

    Firstly, you can edit a post from other writers if you're the owner of the story, so no need to worry over that. Secondly, there are a few stories out there that are in this vein of mechanic, so don't feel out of place by including your own version.

    Zingiber has been doing a Harry Potter oriented story with game mechanics which prompt your choices in Lusty Magical Academy: https://chyoa.com/chapter/Introduction.220416
     
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  3. Zingiber

    Zingiber Really Really Experienced

    Thanks! Though I'm first to admit it's a shameless crib from @SwampThing 's "Slut World", the first adaptation of the "Powered By The Apocalypse" rules for erotic CYOA.
     
    MischiefMystic likes this.