1. Understanding Interactive Novels
2. Getting Started with AdventureBuildr
3. Structuring Your Interactive Novel
4. Creating Dynamic Characters
5. Designing Immersive Settings
6. Writing Compelling Branches
7. Testing and Iterating
8. Incorporating Gamification Elements
9. Incorporating Multimedia Elements
10. Publishing Your Interactive Novel
11. Best Practices and Tips
6.2 Crafting Meaningful Choices
Choices are the entry points into branches, and their design can make or break the reader’s engagement.
What Makes a Choice Meaningful?
- Clarity:
- Readers should understand what they’re choosing, even if the outcomes are uncertain.
- Example: “Do you confront the thief or let them escape to follow them later?”
- Impact:
- Choices should have noticeable consequences, even if they’re subtle.
- Example: Helping a wounded traveler might lead to an ally later—or a betrayal.
- Emotional Weight:
- Choices tied to character relationships or moral dilemmas resonate more deeply.
- Example: Deciding to save a friend at the cost of an innocent stranger’s life.
Tips for Writing Strong Choices
- Use distinct and specific language for each option.
- Avoid overwhelming readers with too many choices at once (three is often a good number).
- Balance predictability and surprise—readers should feel the outcomes are logical but not entirely expected.
Using AdventureBuildr’s Features
- Create conditional branches that depend on previous choices.
- Add visual or textual hints about the consequences of a decision.