Creative Writing Templates

Here are some practical writing templates tailored to the key aspects of the interactive novel writing guide. These templates can help streamline your creative process and ensure consistency across your narrative.

1. Story Planning Template

Story Overview

Title:
Genre:
Core Premise (1-2 sentences):

Core Plotline

Beginning (Introduction of setting, characters, and conflict):
Middle (Key turning points and major challenges):
End (Resolution or climax):

Themes and Tone

Primary Themes:
Tone: (e.g., lighthearted, dark, suspenseful)

2. Character Profile Template

Basic Information

Name:
Age:
Physical Description:
Role in Story: (e.g., protagonist, antagonist, mentor)

Personality

Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Quirks/Unique Traits:
Core Motivations:

Relationships

Allies and Friends:
Rivals and Enemies:
Neutral Characters or Potential Relationships:

Character Arc

Starting Point:
Transformation (if any):
Possible Outcomes (based on reader choices):

3. Scene/Node Planning Template

Node Details

Node Title:
Purpose of Scene: (e.g., introduce conflict, provide a key choice, explore character)
Setting Description:

Narrative Content

Opening Description:
Events in the Scene:

Choices

Choice Text:

Outcome:
Next Node:

Choice Text:

Outcome:
Next Node:

Choice Text:

Outcome:
Next Node:

4. Branching Path Map Template

Decision Point

Node Title:
Reader Choices:

Choice	Next Node	Consequence
[Insert choice text]	[Insert node name/link]	[Impact on story/character]
[Insert choice text]	[Insert node name/link]	[Impact on story/character]
[Insert choice text]	[Insert node name/link]	[Impact on story/character]

5. Multimedia Integration Template

Node Title:

Multimedia Type (Image, Audio, Video):
File Name/Location:

Description

How It Enhances the Scene:

Reader Interaction

Trigger for Multimedia (e.g., entry, decision-based):
Fallback Text/Alternative (if media fails to load):

6. Gamification Planning Template

Gamification Features

Points System:
How are points awarded?
What do points unlock (e.g., achievements, branches)?
Inventory Items:
Name and Description:
Purpose in Story:
Achievements:
Achievement Name How It’s Earned Reward (if any)
[Insert name] [Insert earning condition] [Insert reward]
[Insert name] [Insert earning condition] [Insert reward]

7. Testing Checklist Template

Playthrough Testing

- [ ] All nodes are linked and accessible.
- [ ] Choices are clear and logical.
- [ ] Branches converge or diverge as planned.
Technical Testing
- [ ] Multimedia elements load correctly.
- [ ] Conditional logic (e.g., points, inventory) functions properly.
- [ ] Navigation works smoothly across devices.
Reader Experience
- [ ] Choices feel meaningful and impactful.
- [ ] Transitions between nodes are seamless.
- [ ] Story pacing is balanced and engaging.

8. Marketing and Promotion Template

Marketing Strategy

Primary Audience:
Key Selling Points:
Platforms to Use (e.g., social media, email, blogs):
Promotional Content
- Teasers or Snippets:Example: [Insert a compelling scene or choice from your story]
- Visual Assets: [List of images, maps, or multimedia to share online]
- Community Outreach: [Forums, groups, or influencers to contact]
How to Use These Templates
- Customize as Needed: Adjust templates to fit your story’s specific needs and style.
- Stay Organized: Use templates to track progress and ensure no detail is overlooked.
- Iterate Over Time: Revisit and update templates as your story evolves.

These templates are designed to align with the guide and provide structure, helping you stay organized and efficient while writing your interactive novel.

Bonus Templates

These templates provide a structured framework for planning and developing various aspects of your interactive novel, including the overall story outline, character profiles, world-building elements, and individual interactive scenes.

Feel free to adapt and expand these templates to suit your specific needs and creative process. Happy writing!

Template 1: Story Outline Template

Story Title:
Premise:
Genre:
Target Audience:

Main Characters:
1. Protagonist:
   - Goals:
   - Conflicts:
   - Arc:
2. Antagonist:
   - Goals:
   - Conflicts:
3. Supporting Characters:
   - Character 1:
     - Role:
     - Relationship to Protagonist:
   - Character 2:
     - Role:
     - Relationship to Protagonist:

Core Plotline:
1. Act 1 (Exposition):
   - Inciting Incident:
   - Key Event:
2. Act 2 (Rising Action):
   - Midpoint:
   - Key Event:
3. Act 3 (Climax & Resolution):
   - Climax:
   - Resolution:

Key Decision Points:
1. Decision Point 1:
   - Choice A:
   - Choice B:
   - Choice C:
2. Decision Point 2:
   - Choice A:
   - Choice B:
   - Choice C:

Endings:
1. Ending 1:
2. Ending 2:
3. Ending 3:

Template 2: Character Profile Template

Character Name:
Role in Story:

Physical Description:
- Age:
- Appearance:

Background:
- Birthplace:
- Family:
- Education:
- Occupation:

Personality Traits:
- Strengths:
- Weaknesses:
- Quirks:

Motivations:
- Goals:
- Fears:
- Desires:

Character Arc:
- Starting Point:
- Turning Point:
- End Point:

Relationships:
- Allies:
- Enemies:
- Love Interests:

Key Scenes:
1. Scene 1:
2. Scene 2:
3. Scene 3:

Template 3: World-Building Template

World Name:
Genre:
Time Period:

Geography:
- Continents/Regions:
- Notable Landmarks:
- Climate:

Cultures & Societies:
- Major Civilizations:
- Social Hierarchy:
- Customs & Traditions:

History:
- Origin Story:
- Major Events:
- Legendary Figures:

Magic/Technology:
- Type of Magic/Technology:
- Rules & Limitations:
- Impact on Society:

Locations:
1. Location 1:
   - Description:
   - Significance:
2. Location 2:
   - Description:
   - Significance:

Flora & Fauna:
- Unique Plants:
- Unique Animals:
- Sentient Races:

Template 4: Interactive Scene Template

Scene Title:
Setting:
Characters Involved:

Prior Choices Affecting Scene:
1. Choice:
   - Impact:
2. Choice:
   - Impact:

Scene Description:
- Sensory Details:
- Character Interactions:
- Revelations/Clues:

Player Choices:
1. Choice A:
   - Text:
   - Outcome:
2. Choice B:
   - Text:
   - Outcome:
3. Choice C:
   - Text:
   - Outcome:

Consequences:
- Short-Term:
- Long-Term:

Linked Scenes:
- Choice A Leads To:
- Choice B Leads To:
- Choice C Leads To: