Gamebook strengths - The hidden choice

One aspect of gamebooks that increase their interest, I find, is the concept of the 'hidden choice.' In other other words, you complete a section and are confronted with some options, but there is another option available that won't be listed but does exist. Giving a quick example:

Page ~35~
"You arrive at a T-Junction. A lit bronze torch hangs on the north wall. Looking down the east and west tunnels they both go on into the distance, although you can see an open door a few metres down the east passage, in the north wall."

If you wish to go down the east tunnel, turn to ~156~
If you wish to go down the west tunnel, turn to ~311~

There is another option here though, hidden from the reader, it is:

If you wish to remove the torch from the north wall, add 30 to the reference number you are reading at the time and turn to this new reference number.

Applying that here, you would add 30 to page ~35~ and turn to page ~65~ instead.

These types of choices are normally worked into the story by finding clues earlier on in the adventure. For example, if you make the correct decisions earlier in the adventure you will come across a scroll that tells you that a secret passage can be opened and closed by removing/replacing a bronze torch from the torch holder at a T-Junction within the network of tunnels. It is at this page where the application of the clue is given in the following way:

"If at any stage during your adventure, you arrive at a T-Junction that contains a bronze torch you may remove it and activate the secret passage by adding 30 to the reference number you are reading at the time and by turning to the new number."

I believe these type of choices are greatly underused in gamebooks generally and could be utilised far more greatly, enhancing the gamebook experience.

Leader of the Pack - Progress report

My third Choices short story, "Leader of the Pack," is nearing completion. There is a chance that it will be finished next month (Jan 2008). At this stage, I can reveal that:

- It is over 50 sections in length. (The longest of the Choices stories so far)
- It will require the use of a die as part of the gamebook. (The first Choices story to do this)

Maps! & My new Work-In-Progress (The King's Scrolls)

Those of you who are familiar with the Lord of the Rings may be aware that the maps of Middle-Earth are quite famous. An interesting map can add that extra something to a written story, particularly, if the reader is drawn to keep referring to the map regularly enough while reading.

I have a fantasy series that I am writing for teens and hope to release one day. Here is a hand-drawn map of the land where the series will be set. There's not much to show at the moment, but it is a start.

The northern part of the map will be the kingdom of Thare (ruled by King Beran and his son, Prince Adlai). The southern part of the map is the kingdom of Sadeh, (pronounced Sar-day) which is ruled by Tanas, the enemy of the King and the Prince.

Thare is divided into twelve provinces (eleven on the mainland and the twelth being the island to the northeast of the mainland).

I have a title for this gamebook series: "The King's Scrolls." I have started writing the first story in this series a few times but have not been entirely happy with it so far. I have kept all the material though, as it will still be of use in the future (particularly when dealing with names of characters, landmarks, cities etc.).

Allegory will be strong in this series, as will the visible presence of demons and angels. (but not always visible, though!)

I am close to being pleased with how this series will go and will be ready to start the first story soon. (I hope).

Here is a picture of the map, in any case.

Jasan

Places where "Invitation to a Feast" may be bought & call for reviews

I've compiled a list of websites that I know sell "Invitation to a Feast". They are linked to the appropriate purchase pages. Here they are:

Ark House Press (my publisher) Australia & New Zealand
Ark House Press (my publisher) U.S. & International
Koorong
Word Australia
Booktopia

P.S. Koorong also have a section where you can write a review on the story. If you have already read it and enjoyed it, I would love it if you could write a review (even a really short one) at the Koorong link!

Invitation to a feast - Writing competition closed

Just a note for you all that my writing competition has now closed and the winner of the competition will be announced on Dec 22, 2007. As mentioned in previous posts, the winner will receive the first signed copy of "Invitation to a Feast".

Thank you to those who entered.

Jasan

"Invitation to a Feast" released!

It is with great pleasure that I announce the official release of "Invitation to a Feast"; my first full-length, children's (8-12 y.o) adventure gamebook.

In Feast, the reader follows the journey of Jumpster Hopper, a young rabbit, who has been invited for the first time to the annual celebration feast of the Noble Ranger, the caretaker of Woodland Forest.

It is revealed at the beginning, however, that Jumpster's journey from his home, Hopper's Burrow, to the lands of the Noble Ranger is actually a test; one which Jumpster must pass in order to be admitted to the feast, once he arrives.

The journey will not be easy, however, for Jumpster and the other animals invited. The enemy of the Noble Ranger, The Dark Panther, along with his followers, will be doing whatever they can to prevent all feast invitees from attending, including Jumpster.

In this story, YOU, the reader, will be making all of Jumpster's decisions as he travels to his destination. Whether he succeeds or not will depend entirely on YOU!

2 dice, a pencil and an eraser are all you need to set out on this adventure.

ARE YOU UP TO THE CHALLENGE?

Invitation to a Feast is the first story in the Woodland Forest Chronicles gamebook series.

For more information, and to buy the book, visit my website at www.freewebs.com/jumpsterhopper

Jasan.

Just under 2 weeks to go (I hope) and more on the writing competition

At this stage, I am predicting (and hoping) that "Invitation to a Feast" is finally out in a fraction under two weeks from today. (I have personally targeted November 14 as a potential date for the book to be out but again, we'll see how things go).

Due to this, my writing competition will be extended again (I hope for the last time) to November 30. If you just missed out on getting your entry in by October 31, you have another repreive (and another month to write)!

Thanks to those who have entered so far.

Click here for information about the competition.

J P Barnett.