Hey folks, I've started a sidequest storyline in an existing universe, set as a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure where reader choice dictates the content for the next move. I will be publishing the moves in a print magazine in my city, as well as mirroring them on my game site.
Though I've done interactive fiction successfully before (and in this universe), it's different since readers can't get instantaneous feedback or response. And I've done a reader's choice content successfully before, but it was in a visual comics style. So, I'm feeling a bit like I'm testing new waters in a way, doing this as a primarily text-based story. One of those "does anyone even ever read anymore? And if they do, is this worth reading?" kind of doubtful afternoons.
The first move is available here - http://heretherebe.com/path-currentmove/ - and please feel free to even participate in the reader's choice (it's open to everyone, not just people in my city!). I'd love to hear thoughts and considerations for improving. Though I can't do anything about the publishing timeline (at least for the first year, based on my agreement with the magazine), I'm still looking for ways to make it fun and interesting for people who are following along.
Thanks for any thoughts, and for taking this adventure with me!
Thanks for taking time to look it through, @SupernaturalSyGuy ! It is greatly appreciated. Any thoughts that sprung to mind, curious questions, or discovered snags?
I haven't read through it yet. Lol I was just saying that the idea was interesting…. I'll get back with you on anything that I notice though!
I've only read the beginning of it. I like the analogy of comparing writing to going on an adventure /trip/quest. I noticed a small typo towards the end of that.
Is there anyway that I can move on to a new portion of the story without having to share on Facebook, etc?
This sounds so cool! I'm defiantly going to check it out.
Wow, that's really cool! I'm interested to see where it goes.
@SupernaturalSyGuy If you don't mind, where's the typo? I've stared myself crosseyed looking for it. ^_^;
As for moving onto a new portion of the story: you don't have to share it to Facebook! If you vote, it will lock your vote in, regardless of whether or not you share it. However, there's no way yet to advance through the story: the reader poll will close at the end of February, after which, based on everyone's input, I'll write and illustrate the text for the next move, to launch with the April print issue of Quantifiable. Unfortunately my publishing schedule is locked in with the magazine (at least for the first year), so the pacing is slower than I'd like. Once this year is up, I can rerelease the storyline, and build it more thoroughly into other formats.
Short story long: just stay tuned. The next move for On The Path launches in April, so go ahead and cast your vote :)
If you enjoy it, there's always the official first chapter of the Inbound Lands also linked on that site, which is free to play, and as an interactive fiction game, moves at your pace. I've also done custom sidequest builds for select customers, where I ship them monthly parcels containing custom move texts, artifacts, and other assorted feelies, based on a subscription. The Quantifiable relationship is basically building a foundation for me to launch a Patreon later this year, where I plan to do some Play-by-Mail campaigns in addition to the usual Inbound artifacts I make, and to better manage my Parcel clients, so there'll be more story unfolding over time.
@PuffPoff_the_Miracle_cousin and @"Euric "Has yet to do something productive with their life" Knight" …thanks! Definitely feel free to cast a vote. I'm looking forward to writing the next part :)
