suncrafter

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:wiggle:

I've always wondered why the "Choose-your-own-adventure" type of books never gained wide acceptance. Why were they largely confined to just fantasy and RPG? And why mostly kid books?

Why hasn't, for example, Steven King made a novel with a "Choose-your-own-adventure" format? He could let the readers guide the actions of the protagonist. Something like: "If you think Paula should run from the Zombie - turn to page 184. If you think Paula should try to kill the zombie with her axe - turn to page 701. If you think she should stand there and scream like an idiot.... etc... etc...

You would think that there would be at least ONE big-name author who would have tried something like that - if only for a publicity gimmick.

Why so few CYOA books? Is there some kind of stupid copyright law that prevents it? Anyone know?

TDIguy

it seems like they would be a pain in the ass to write. like 20 different stories. a 300 page book would have to be like a thousand.
I remember when i was a kid the books were like 100 pages and you would get like 20 pages in and die and have to start all over again. that would suck and you would be super pissed if you had to start all over again in a thousand page book. Imagine if you were halfway through and one or two choices ended the book.. it would be shitty...
well thats my 2 cents.
Peace
Petey

D J

I remember reading those books.... after a while you run out of fingers to stick in the pages where the decisions are...

Cinnamon

I used to love those as a teen. But after a while, all the breaks in the story from having to flip to several parts of the book got annoying.

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Bigeme

they only work for short stories. you couldn't have a long and involved story. There were also multiple choices that would take you to the same ending which wouldn't fly with a more mature audience. Too many plot holes and too little story development. I used to love them. I think theres some website on the internet where people make these things up. You make a choice and keep going and reading the story and when you get to a point where no one has written you can write what you want and make up some choices.

suncrafter

That sound cool! Do you have a URL? :happycow:

Bigeme

Naw, I wish I did. I remember doing it for quite a while a few years back. I'm sure there are at least a few websites like that around. You might have to look for a while though. The biggest problem was that people would throw in total non-sequitors or rediculously immature stuff, but they grew to some very varied and entertaining stories.

OrdinaryGirl

That is EXACTLY the problem I always had!!!!

suncrafter

Me too.

randomglitter

I had to write one of these back in high school for Creative Writing! It was short, about 100 pages or so. It was a lot of fun, and it wasn't a bad story if I must say so myself.

suncrafter

You should put it online so we can all read it too. Let me know if you do:
webmaster@orcmagazine.com

2DaTee

These books were awesome. I think Steven King should write one. It would be interesting.

habjad

I worked with 3 guys who the top selling "adventure books" in the 80's (EU) - they made a tidy amount from it, but it all came crashing down once kids got hold of GameBoys. The industry literally died overnight. A few are still published, usually on the back of another franchise, but they are rare now, for sure.