Interactive Fiction Resources
Not sure where to get started with interactive fiction? Our list of interactive fiction resources will help! Think we’re missing anything? Or do you have a great idea to add? Email us at: contact@wordedly.net
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The Best Interactive Fiction Resources
Our list of the best interactive fiction resources will help you get started writing! From a list of authoring tools to useful websites, competitions, and even communities to meet other authors!
Our List Of Interactive Fiction Authoring Tools
Not sure what program or tool to use? Our list of interactive fiction authoring tools has your back! It has the most common and popular writing tools for interactive fiction. Personally, our favorite is Twine!
Interactive Fiction Wiki
The interactive fiction wiki has everything you could ever want. From a list of the different authoring tools/engines, in-depth definitions, events, and conferences. It’s worth taking a look!
Interactive Fiction Database
The interactive fiction database is a catalog for interactive fiction games/novels, as well as recommendations! All the games are added by the community, you can type up reviews, and exchange recommendations. The best way to learn is to play!
Readings
Looking for some theory/resources you can read and learn more? The links down below are the best place to get started.
Emily Short’s Interactive Storytelling Blog
Emily Short’s blog on interactive storytelling is nothing short of amazing (pardon the pun). She delves in-depth into the theory and design behind crafting a good interactive fiction novel—her posts are a gold mine. She also has plenty of recommendations for authors just starting out.
IF Theory Reader
The IF Theory Reader is a book by Kevin Jackson-Mead and J. Robinson Wheeler. It’s about both—the craft and theory of interactive fiction. It’s completely free to read, and is generally the go-to recommendation if you want to read theory about interactive fiction. Just keep in mind, a lot of the text surrounds more parser-based games.
Writing Interactive Fiction With Twine
Looking for a more specific resource on how to actually use engines and create your first interactive fiction novel? Writing Interactive Fiction with Twine by Melissa Ford is perfect! It delves deep into how to actually use the engine.
Twine Cookbook
The Twine Cookbook has everything you need to get started with the Twine authoring tool. Twine is fairly easy to pick up, and requires no code editing. The engine’s cookbook has everything you need from tutorials to guides explaining every aspect of the tool.
Communities
Here is a list of the few well-known interactive fiction communities. They’re a great place to meet like-minded people and get feedback on your novels!
Interactive Fiction Community Forum
The Interactive Fiction Community Forum has served as the meeting place for interactive novel authors for a long time. Whether you need feedback, help, or just want to toss around ideas—the forum is the perfect place.
Subreddit /r/InteractiveFiction
The saying is true—Reddit really does have a community for everything! The Interactive Fiction subreddit is a great place to post your game for testing, get feedback, and meet other people interested in IF.
Competitions
Finally written a story? Maybe you want to join a competition? These events can be a great way to connect with other authors, explore other interactive novels, and get feedback on your own! As well as putting your name out there.
Interactive Fiction Competition
The Interactive Fiction Competition (better known as IFComp) is the biggest event. It’s a great way to get your name into the world of interactive fiction, and good critique on your work.
Spring Thing/Autumnal Jumble
The Spring Thing (also known as the Autumnal Jumble depending on where you live) is the other big interactive fiction comp. The aim is to celebrate all things interactive fiction! Everyone is welcome.
Text Adventure Literacy Jam
Working on a parser-based game, like the classic Zork? Well, then the Text Adventure Literacy Jam might be more your thing! It encourages designing new text adventure-specific games.