by Len Morse

Created on: August 27, 2007

Writing a choose-your-own-adventure (a.k.a. pick-your-own-path) story can get complicated, but with a little organization you can keep it under control. You should write from only one point of view, that of your protagonist/main character/hero: the reader will be making various decisions that will change the plot, so you'll need to let him/her experience the adventure through your hero's senses. Also, you'll need to keep extremely detailed records of the history of each plot line, including locations, people, inventory, and most importantly, your hero's physical, mental, and emotional status. Let's break it down.

Point of View

The least used narrative is called Second Person, where the reader is led through the story as the hero. Get used to typing "you" and "your" instead of "I" and "me", unless you're quoting someone. It may feel strange at first, but just stick with it.

Example: "Having lost your pursuers, you fling open the first door you come to and rush into a dimly lit room."

To create an authentic experience, make sure you describe all sights, sounds, smells, tastes, physical sensations, emotions, and thoughts that only your hero experiences, leaving everything else out. For instance, if you include another character's thoughts, a sight that is behind your hero, or certain facts that your hero is not privy to, that's cheating. Naughty author! Lightly smack yourself on the nose with a rolled up newspaper, remove the offending phrase(s), and continue writing.

Here's a continuation of the example, with some choices:

"You can see a forlorn-looking goblin shackled to the far wall as the stench of decay assaults your nose. Your eyes soon grow accustomed to the flickering torchlight and you notice a key ring, a sword, and a money pouch on a nearby table. Still catching your breath, you mull through your choices.

If you arm yourself with the sword, go to page 30
If you free the goblin with the keys, go to page 32
If you take the money and move on, go to page 97"

You'll notice that the scene was written in the present tense. You could conceivably write in past or future tense, but that would severely lessen the sense of urgency needed for decision-making. Writing your story in the past (anti-climactic) or future (hasn't happened yet) is not the same as keeping the reader in the present, which allows the full experience of knowing that a decision must be made right here, right now.

Developing your main character actually becomes a bit of a conundrum in this type of story.

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