Something Is Tripping Me Up Whenever I Sit Down To Write For My Projects :/. Writing Is Hard For Me But

I need to stop getting ideas an keep working on my current ifs. Which as far as focus goes, I'm doing better than with past projects. But man am I being enticed with thoughts

Through gritted teeth: my first draft is allowed to be awful. My first draft is allowed to be awful. My first draft is allowed to be awful.

DEMO TBA

Eighteen years.

You promised yourself as soon as the clock struck midnight, on your eighteenth birthday, you’d be on the first train headed far, far away from Sageville. Alas, it didn’t end up quite like this. 

You did find yourself at the train station numerous times, however, though you simply never purchased that getaway ticket.

You couldn’t… afford to that is.

Two years of picking up shift after shift later, and you’re finally on that train, turning the page to the desperately awaited chapter of your life.

Destination: Dahlia Hills.

The difference between Sageville and Dahlia Hills, some might ask? 

Clear as day. 

Not only riddled with some of the most influential and wealthy people, but also the haven of glamour, gossip and that never-ending nightlife.

Still, the reason a small townie like you has their eyes set on the city, is because of its university. While it may not be ranked number one, you’re aware of the life-altering connections a diploma from the Dahlia Hills College brings.

But you also always craved to experience the promised whispers of life and excitement that reached all the way to your very own ears.

The complete opposite of good ole Sageville.

Well, I guess it’s time for you to find out, meet and experience all the special things Dahlia Hills has in store...

Dahlia Hills takes inspiration from early 2000s shows, such as One Tree Hill and Gossip Girl. Personally, growing up a little after that time, I’ve absolutely loved discovering and watching those types of shows and have always imagined myself thrown into that kind of scene. And I’m sure there’s plenty of other people who have felt the same (right??) and so I present to you ‘Dahlia Hills’.

The book is a slice of life with a dash of nostalgia, set in the mid to late 2000s. 

Customise your MC from your name all the way to your personality and appearance.

Meet unique characters.

Live in the moment.

Explore different romances.

Experience that glamorous side Dahlia Hills is known for.

Get your name out there!

♦️ Carter Black, M/F, 21 [RO]

What Carter lacks in social skills, they make up in candour. Seriously, nothing against you or anyone for that matter, they just prefer probably anything else but people.

Avid smoker, who ironically works at one of the biggest nightclubs in the Dahlia Hills ‘The Tini’. Though, it is only because of their two favourite things: cigarettes and alcohol.

“For what it’s worth, if I really despised you, I wouldn’t be here. You’re not getting any more from me.”

♦️ Zach/Zoe Powell, M/F, 22 [RO]

Although gone most of the time, curious whispers follow wherever they go- or should I say appear?

Isn’t the saying: secrets are meant to be uncovered? Or maybe it's curiosity killed the cat?

At the end of the day, no one’s forced to do anything, and only you can stand in your very own way… so do with that as you may.

“Life gets boring fast, when you have everything, you’ve always wanted, handed to you like this.”

♦️ Jackson/Jordyn Whitlock, M/F, 21 [RO]

‘With great power comes great responsibility.'

Not for J though…

Some would say they are ‘set for fucking life’. Only thing standing in the way of them, and their multi-million pounds corporation inheritance is well… their parents, for one, and downright stupidity.

Apart from that, they have free range to do just about anything they please.

Born with a silver spoon doesn’t even begin to describe the mountain of wealth they are surrounded by.

Still, a spark of intrigue flashes across their hazel eyes, as they wander down the shape of your entirety, like the shiny new toy that you are. 

“Let’s make things clear, if I haven’t fucked somebody, it’s because they didn’t excite me enough.”

♦️ Valentine/Valerie Beaufort AKA Val, M/F, 21 [RO]

If there’s one thing you don’t want to miss, it’s Val’s frequent parties thrown in none other than one of their parents’, who seem to always have business overseas, mega mansions, located in the outskirts of the city, allegedly worth a staggering eight digits.

While they enjoy their more than occasional night of fun, don’t expect for them to go for just anyone, for even they have standards, contrary to popular belief.

Although they might appear frosty during the first few encounters, it’s best not to take it to heart, as they do tend to come around… 

At some point… 

Later rather than sooner...

Sooner, if the people they care about do.

“Seriously Carter, that cancer stick is gonna fucking age you like crazy.”

♦️ Bonnie Marlowe, F, 22 (she/her)

If Bonnie has any enemies, it means hell has frozen over and pigs can fly.

Seriously, she’s like a fluffy ball of cotton candy; sweet and cuddly… not kidding, that girl LOVES hugs. 

And yeah, she can be a little dim sometimes, but cross my heart she means well. Truthfully, it’s not really her fault there seems to be a disconnect between the thoughts in her head and the way they come out of her mouth.

Just know, if you ever feel offended, she’ll be waiting… lips quirked up, exposing the single dimple adorning her right cheek, along with her big black eyes… and then you’re in trouble. 

Because only a monster can still be mad then.

“I love you guys so much. I can’t wait for our babies to be best friends.”

♦️ Grace Watson, F, 22 (she/her)

Honestly, I can’t tell you much about the girl.

Yeah, she’s quiet and she seems friendly... and she attends some of Val’s parties... and surprisingly she hangs out with J, Bonnie and the bunch.

Hmm…

She is dating Alec, so I suppose that does make sense… (don't worry I'll tell you more about him next)

Anyway, not much to see here… yet, so I guess I’ll let you do the getting to know ;)

“Why I had to get along with you guys of all people, I don’t know.”

♦️ Alec Greene, M, 21 (he/him)

He is just a sweet one.

Seriously; charming, friendly, decently intelligent, outgoing AND handsome?

What the hell doesn’t he have?

Yup, Alec is the guy parents wish you’d bring home when you tell them you found a special boy.

That guy = Alec motherfucking Greene.

And what is the perfect guy without a weird obsession with repairing old fancy cars? Nuff said.

“No, seriously, if I can help, I wanna help.”  (see?)

Hope this peaked your interest!

Hugs <3

Stygian Sun: Total Eclipse - WIP

DEMO TBA

After the deaths of your four oldest siblings, taken from you by war, your older sibling, Nour, once fifth in line for the Solar Imperial throne, is now the heir. 

This day never should have happened. 

As recompense for the ravages your kingdom’s war has inflicted upon the Lunar kingdom of Celestyl, and as assurance it will not happen again, your sibling is to be sent to Celestyl to marry the Lunar King’s heir. An arranged marriage, meant to unite the kingdoms. Or, at least that’s how everyone prefers to phrase it. But you all recognize this for what it really is: a guise. Your sibling will be a political hostage.

And—Theia, grant you guidance—you have had a premonition this is not the worst to come. Should your sibling go to Celestyl, they will not survive.

So you will take their place.

Stygian Sun: Total Eclipse is a dark fantasy interactive fictional story where you play as the sixth child in the proud and grandiose Solar Imperial Dynasty and leave your homeland for a foreign country, where you will take your sibling’s place in an arranged marriage to the heir to the Lunar Kingdom. But something sinister simmers on the horizon—you have felt it in your premonitions; apprehension crawls beneath your skin, foreboding pricks at the back of your neck, dread sinks low and heavy in your stomach. Theia is warning you—of what, you know not, but you have seen the way the Lunar King looks at you. His stare, the dagger, and you, the sacrificial lamb on the altar.  Beware the wolf, little lamb.

Content Warnings: "Stygian Sun: Total Eclipse" contains many upsetting themes, such as arranged marriage, child abuse, child neglect, death, murder, sexually suggestive scenes, suicidal ideations, and more. "Stygian Sun: Total Eclipse" is intended for mature audiences. Viewer discretion is advised.

Customize your MC's name, gender, pronouns, appearance, personality, and sexuality. Play as straight, gay, lesbian, bi, poly, or asexual.

Shape your personality through your choices and see how it affects dialogue with other characters.

Navigate through the difficulties of court life in a foreign country.

Develop your magic—powers bestowed upon you through your divine bloodline.

Romance one or more of five romantic options, including your betrothed, the Lunar heir; your charming and overly flirtatious retainer; your acolyte, a priestess in training; a kind yet darkly mysterious Celestylian noble; or a peculiar and chaotic mage.

Develop deep and lasting friendships or make enemies.

Kill some parents.

Uncover a sinister plot that threatens everything you hold dear—and decide what you will risk to protect it.

Nour al’Teia, your older sibling. (Gender dependent on MC’s. She/her. He/him. They/them.) Non-RO Once fifth in line for the Solar Imperial throne, Nour was perfectly content to play a supportive role to Parim, first in line, and the rest of their siblings. Now first in line for the throne, Nour is doing their best to step into a role they were never prepared to fill. Despite their best attempts to reassure you, you can tell this weighs more heavily on them than they let on. (Character portrait coming soon.)

Kieran Zeleskas, the Lunar Heir. (Gender Selectable. She/her. He/him.) RO The Crown Prince/ss of Celestyl. Though not of noble birth, events put into motion by their father have elevated them to this position, one they seem to have adapted to rather well by all appearances. Stoic and aloof, they seem less than pleased about this arrangement between the two of you. You’re inclined to agree.

Alektis de Celestys, the lone princess. (She/her.) Non-RO The adoptive sister to Kieran. The slaughter of her family during the coup that brought Kieran’s father to power has rendered her irascible and hostile to most everyone. Though she mostly keeps to herself, with only her retainer, Nihm, for company, you often find her tumultuous glare trained on you, a complex look on her face you can’t quite decipher. (Character portrait coming soon.)

Nihm de Circené, the guardian. (They/them.) RO Devoted retainer to Alektis and last surviving member of House Circené. Kind and sociable, Nihm is well-regarded in both noble and commoner social circles alike. However, their warm and affable disposition cannot completely hide the apprehension in their gait, nor the trembling in their hands. Still, they do their best to welcome you in a place where everyone seems dead-set on hating you. (Character portrait coming soon.)

Aurynn Anouar, the retainer (He/him.) RO Seeming to have appeared from out of nowhere, Aurynn rescued you from a dire situation during your first battle experience, and afterwards was appointed your retainer and has served you as such ever since. Charismatic, laidback, and flirtatious to a fault, Aurynn tends to either charm or annoy everyone he meets. Despite his insistence that he is an open book, sometimes you can’t help but feel the opposite; indeed, everything about him seems shrouded in secrecy. 

Samira Nahdiri, the priestess (She/her.) RO Certain events left her family deeply shamed and nearly destitute until her exceptional accomplishments as a healer elevated her to the renowned position as your acolyte, drawing upon the power of your blood to learn healing magic in her pursuit to become a priestess. Strong, loyal, and compassionate, she is devoted to caring for her family above all else, and she counts you among them.

Lilith/Lucien de Arcanis, the mage. (Gender Selectable. She/they. He/they.) RO The adopted heir to House Arcanis, a line of powerful and highly skilled mages. Wild-eyed with a wolfish grin, their peculiar and eccentric mannerisms tend to unsettle their peers, leaving them rather isolated in social circles—a circumstance which doesn’t seem to bother them one way or the other. For better or worse, it appears they’ve taken a rather intense interest in you. (Character portrait coming soon.)

Poly Routes (subject to change): Kieran/Aurynn, Samira/Aurynn, Lilith/Lucien/Aurynn.

Technically I have one more week and should be workin on my last essay but I am excited. Anyways I’ve begun writin the prologue~ 

I still dunno how to code thought :), but that’s whatevs until later.

Clawing at the walls of my enclosure. The enclosure is the 2 week end of the semester period. It cannot end soon enough

Norman Lindsay (1879-1969) - Other Lovers, 1924

Since progress is slow, here is a snippet of the one off vampire IF I’m working on:

*emerges from the other room covered in blood* you should see the word document

Seven Hard-Won Tips Specifically for Writing Interactive Fiction

This is pretty fun, putting together these lists of writing tips. Today's list is explicitly about interactive fiction.

The trick to writing great interactive fiction that anticipates, foreshadows, introduces themes early, and has interesting choices that set up later events is to *go back and rewrite the earlier chapters* after you’ve written later chapters.  That way you look like a genius who can plot things out way in advance, but in fact, you just went back and made it seem that way.  Good writing is recursive, and that’s just how it is.

I start with an outline, then I write a code skeleton, leaving blanks for the prose, and then go in and fill in the prose.  This way I’m either in code-brain or prose-writing-brain.  I don’t like switching between the two.  Then, after than phase, I go back one more time and I do the callbacks—you know.  Might the main character be wearing a feathered boa in this scene?  Here’s some custom text.  Might the main character be limping?  Here’s some more custom text.  If you do that after you write the prose, you’ll have the leisure to think of anything fun and specific you can use. 

Callbacks tell players that their choices are unique, important, memorable, and valued by the writer.  It tell them that their choices have led them down their own particular path that the writer is rewarding with unique prose.  It doesn’t have to have a stat effect or create a new fork in the narrative.  Great prose is the reward.

Find an group of alpha readers to read your work early and often and then shut up while they read it and just listen to what they say and comment.  You must resist the urge to explain because you won’t be there at everyone’s house when they are playing your game or reading your narrative.

Make rules for yourself about how you are going to name your variables.  Don’t do what I did, with a horrible blend of sometimes calling a chracter “gil” in the variables and sometimes “gilberto”; sometimes “fitz” and sometimes “fitzie”; sometimes “metvyv” and sometimes “met_tabby”—ugh!  This is self-torture.  Don’t do what I did.

Keep your initial creation of variables super organized.  Write comments in there explaining what these variables are and when you might need them.  I comment most when I am creating variables.  You might create a variable in chapter one called “mustardallergy” that you don’t need until chapter eight, so write a comment that says “variables for chapter eight” and stick that “mustardallergy” variable under it.  I didn’t do this for my first games, and I regretted it. 

Use generic variables and make your life easy.  If you are writing a scene at the racetrack, just make a “xrace” modifier and add and subtract to it willy-nilly to represent just general ups and downs of fortune.  Stub your toe?  -5 xrace.  Wear a fine hat?  +8 xrace.  Throw around some money at the bar?  +12 xrace!  Eat some bad shellfish?  -15 xrace! Then add xrace to every test.  It’s a way of tracking just the ups and downs of fortune.  You can omit it when it doesn’t make sense, but it’s just a great way to make tests and rewards and penalties cumulatively meaningful without having to have a billion variables tracking every last *reason* for the rewards and penalties.

Discover more mini-essays about writing interactive fiction, writing in general, and the process of writing the forthcoming Jolly Good series below.

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