At its core, Episode is about Interactive (choice-based) storytelling: allowing readers to define and shape their characters and storylines through interesting, diverse, character-defining choice moments. Here, we’ll discuss the two types of choices—gem choices and free choices—and tips for successfully writing each.
Gem Choices
Gem choices are a special kind of choice moment; they let readers exchange gems for desirable, exciting, and positive outcomes, outfits, or experiences in your story.
Above all, gem choices should always feel valuable to the reader. Readers should look forward to gem choice moments with confidence that they’ll deliver on expectations and create a satisfying and exciting experience.
How can you create strong gem choice moments that keep readers coming back for more? It can be helpful to read stories with strong gem choices, such as stories that are on the “What’s Hot” shelf and in the Top section of the genre you’re writing in. Take note of what choices entice you into making the gem choice option, or are very difficult to turn down. Think to yourself: “How did the choice make me feel that way?”
Once you’re ready to write your own, start by outlining these 3 parts for each of your gem choice ideas: the setup, the choice moment, and the outcome.
1. The Setup: The scene leading up to your choice moment. The setup should establish clearly why the gem option(s) are the most desirable or exciting choices, and make it clear what, in general, will be the outcome of each option. This doesn’t mean that you can’t surprise your readers with additional exciting outcomes within your gem choices—but readers should never feel uncertain or confused about what the choices will lead to.
2. The Choice Moment: The frame where readers are prompted to make a decision. The choice moment consists of a feeder line, one or more gem option(s), and a free option.
- Feeder line: The line that leads into the choice options. Think about using this line to reiterate the excitement and/or stakes around your choice, or even offer an additional reason to want to make the choice.
- Gem option(s): The words that appear on the gem choice button(s). A good gem choice option uses exciting, appealing language, and clearly lets the reader know the outcome of each option. Try to keep it as short and simple as you can!
- Free option: The words that appear on the free choice button. Make sure that the free option feels different from your gem option, but is still a realistic choice the character might make.
3. The Outcome: The impact to the story resulting from the reader’s choice.
- Gem branch(es): The story branch(es) that occur(s) when selecting the gem option. Make sure that this feels positive, exciting, and satisfying—and that it delivers on the outcome you promised! Readers should never feel disappointed or tricked.
- Free branch: The story branch that occurs when readers opt out of the gem option(s). The free branch payoff should respect the reader’s decision—while also setting the story up to continue offering gem choices later on. Your reader should feel satisfied with the free experience and feel that the gem experience could have been even more fun.
The Best Gem Choices…
Come at just the right moment. Make sure readers are engaged with your story before offering your first gem choice of the story or chapter. They should know enough to feel “along for the ride” in order for your gem choice to be successful and to avoid causing readers to drop out of your story.
Offer readers something they really want. Create situations, storylines, and moments that will leave your reader wanting that perfect dress for a romantic date, an exciting ride on a private jet, or their first kiss just as the Ferris Wheel reaches its peak—and offer them the choice to get exactly what they want with gems.
Give enough information to let readers make informed decisions. If your gem choice is offering a new outfit, make sure you show the entire outfit before the reader is asked to make a decision. If it’s around an experience or even a dialogue response, make sure that the setup leaves readers feeling confident why they would make any given choice, and what is likely to happen as a result.
Leave readers feeling satisfied… and looking forward to your next gem choice! The outcome of a gem choice should leave readers happy that they made the choice. It should deliver on everything it promised (and maybe even offer a fun surprise), allowing readers to come back to the main flow of your story excited for the next gem choice.
Highly Rated Gem Choice Options…
Come from the best gem choices. A strong gem choice sets the foundation for a gem option by making the Setup and Choice Moments clear and desirable. The work you do here is what will help your readers actually choose the gem option over the free option!
Are frequently chosen by readers. This means that many readers who started the episode are choosing the gem option at the Choice Moment based on the Setup and the price. By default, gem options are priced at 15 gems, but you can customize your gem pricing if you want to set a different value. See our Gem Choices Zendesk article for more info on how to do this!
In summary: Gem choices should always make it clear what the outcome of readers’ choices will be, and that selecting the gem choice option(s) will lead to the most exciting or desirable reading experience. Once the choice is made, each outcome must deliver on what was promised—and make sure that the outcome of the gem choice is exciting, positive, and satisfying!
Questions to Consider When Writing Gem Choices
Gem Choice checklist |
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Free Choices
Free Choices are where you really let your readers shine, giving them opportunities to express themselves and shape their character and storyline!
The best Free Choices will...
Offer moments of self-expression. A good free choice allows readers to express their emotions/responses, personality/identity, or preferences/hopes. The choice should feel like they are getting to direct the emotional tone of the scene, put their personal spin on their character, or tell the story their way.
Affect the story and characters and show them responding to a reader’s choice. Free choices should give your reader moments where they’re truly affecting other characters in the story—other characters laugh at their joke, are shocked by a surprising thing they said, respond to their question, etc.
Provide 2-3 distinct “flavors” to choose from, with 2-3 equally distinct outcomes. Free choices typically offer three options (with the exception of moments where a third branch doesn’t make sense). Each option and outcome should feel different to a reader if they were to replay your story and make a different choice.
Deliver on the outcome they promise. Make sure that the branches are reflective of the choice your reader made—the outcome should never ignore or contradict the choice made.
Give the reader enough information to make an informed choice. Readers should always have enough information to be able to make a choice with confidence.
Questions to Consider When Writing Free Choices
Free Choice checklist |
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Closing Thoughts
These are basic guidelines for interactivity in your story, but they don’t cover all the kinds of interactivity we’ve seen in stories or even written by some of you (for instance, interactive mini-games). If you have another idea to provide readers a fun moment of interactivity/customization, give it a try! We’re always excited to see what you come up with.
We can’t wait to read what you create!
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