  Action/Adventure
This week: Edited by: Puditat  
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We feel our pulse increase, and our eyes skim lightly over the lines as we read...faster and faster. The words flies into our consciousness, and we don't want it to stop, such is the importance and thrill of what we are reading.
A well-written action scene will rivet you to the screen or page, and drop you right into the middle of the events unfolding. You will become part of the adventure!
Hi, I'm Puditat , your Guest Editor for this issue. |
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A-Maze-in-a Story
As a teenager I was fascinated by the 'Choose Your Own Adventure' style books, reading every option that was available between each cover.
The adventure is not only contained in the passages you read as the story unfolds, but in the reader's ability to choose the hero's path. This amount of control brings a dimension of adventure that can only add to the reading experience.
Writing.com's Interactives are a highly popular version of those 'choose your own' books.
Being able to read an adventure that has more than one outcome is enticing. Being able to be an author of those options is exciting.
Interactives are:
- entertaining
- provide exposure for writers
- are a good exercise if you're struggling for story ideas. Add a chapter and suddenly you'll be in the 'writing zone'. 
- varied
- fun
There are a few common things I've noticed with Interactives:
 Spelling and grammar
Most entries are riddled with typos, mis-spellings and grammatical errors. If you are adding to an interactive, why not type it up in a word processor first. This allows you to change, edit, fix up and make it the best addition you can do. Then when it's ready, cut and paste it into the interactive. At a minimum, perform a spell check before you hit the "Add Chapter!" button. The spell check button beside it should be used to perform the spell check prior to adding the chapter, otherwise it is too late.
Adding to an interactive provides exposure for your portfolio. Are your windows shiny and attractive, or dulled by some basic errors that frame your writing in a dusty, uncared-for haze?
Pace and Flow
Some additions to an Interactive story do not progress the story any further along. Each chapter should, in my opinion:
- not repeat the closing of the previous chapter
- resolve the issue raised in the previous chapter or increase the problems being faced
- keep the character(s), setting and storyline consistent and flowing
- provide some further pivotal decision(s) to be made by the character(s)
- the previous chapter offers options, but do not feel restricted by the intent of the option. Surprise the reader by giving it an unusual twist, so long as it stays within the genre and any plot-line provided.
Subject
For some reason, there is an abundance of 'shrinking/growing', 'weight gain' and 'Harry Potter' type storylines. I have nothing against them, except there seems to be rather a lot along a similar tack. Personally, that does not encourage me to read them, and I seek something different...but that's just me.
If you are looking to create an interactive, originality is as important as if you were writing a poem, short story, or novel. What sets your story apart from the rest? If you want to do a shrinking story, then work out some way it can be unique and add that information to the Brief Description and story introduction. 
Interactives are fun, varied ways to participate in a story that is literally, larger than life.
Now, before you go out and enjoy the interactives I've included, I leave you with a few final tips.
1. Read the entries from start to the point where you make an addition. Who likes reading a story where Tom suddenly becomes Wilhemina, or 7th Century Egypt becomes a 1990's London?
Tip: If you haven't much time, check out the 'story outline' first and choose the shortest route to follow.
2. Keep to the Interactive's content rating.
3. If there are guidelines for the plot, try to stay within them.
4. Have fun and enjoy being a part of the adventure!
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I read through a number of Interactive stories in order to find ones I thought represented a good adventure. I hjope you enjoy and maybe add to one or two. 
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#815026 by Not Available. |
I liked the premise of this interactive. It caters for those who like the 'shrinking' storyline, as well as plenty of scope for different possibilities for those not into shrinking.
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#724874 by Not Available. |
This interactive is original and the entries I read were all fast-paced and interesting. Well worth a read!
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#993921 by Not Available. |
This story provides many options to delight. A range of genres, settings, eras and fun to be had.
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#1009398 by Not Available. |
I really enjoyed this fun interactive. A good stop for action and adventure.
Don't fancy any of the ones I've highlighted? There are many more for you to choose from under the Interactives link near the top of any page.
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Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
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Another great newsletter! You've done this before haven't you...
billwilcox
Puditat, using "was" when a vivid action verb by itself would be better hurts writing, especially in action: "Kristy was running around a maze of offices and corridors for over thirty minutes." Kristy ran around a maze . . . is much better.
Good newsletter, very good. ~~ Viv
Vivian 
Excellent point, Viv. I'm blushing to think I missed it. 
Puditat, thanks for a great newsletter! I love your format, and you are saying what I've been trying to tell folks. Do you have a static item of this that I can refer writers to?
Great job! Keep it up!
Scottiegazelle
Hmmm, well I guess I'll have to do one, then.
Great newsletter! I have had a lot of trouble with things like that in the past, and now I know what is wrong!
Red - - > Hard at Work
I'm so glad you found the editorial useful.
This edition of the Action/Adventure Newsletter was really helpful. Thank you so much for that and keep it up! - Meela
Maimai J Saves for Upgrade
I'm so glad!
Great newsletter! I find myself comming up against alot of these things in my own writing without even meaning to put them there. does that mean I still don't do any of them? No it just means I have to do two things...1) be more careful in my writing and actually proofread. 2) have others read my stories both online and in real life to get there feedback(Gasp thats what Writing.com does!!!) Another thing you didn't touch on or maybe there was no real need are sentances tith the same word or like words next to each other. Such as Arnold had had to put the guard to sleep. or Kristy liked it for itself. I feel personally and seen in others that such things are tacky and detract from the reading. Not to mention its bad writing to begin with. keep the newsletters comming!!
Shadowstalker-- Covid free
You are correct, I did not specifically mention them, and perhaps they do need special mention. Thank you for the suggestion. 
Puditat, Your letter of July 7 was jam-packed with great writing tips! It's a keeper. Thank you.
esprit
Awww, gee.
I enjoyed reading this newsletter. I have had to rewrite stories because of long sentences, too.
I like the way that you described each problem
and then showed the 'fix' for them. As I read some of the stories from other authors on writing.com, I see the truth in what you are saying.
Keep up the helpful, informative newsletters. There is a fine line to be walked in stories of all kinds with respect to these writing problems.
tucket
I'm glad you found it informative. And I agree, there is often a fine line, sometimes a 'had' just has to be used.
I'm new here and am just trying to get started with some projects. great newsletter made me think about some of my own style of writing. thank you.
-Dave
cadetdj
You're so very welcome.
Puditat, I loved how you set up this NL! And the info is so very necessary in writing in any genre. Great job! ~Nikola
Nikola~Thankful 
Thanks, Nikola.
Very ingenious way to approach this topic. I loved the humor and, I think, as a result I paid more attention to what was being said.
robi4711
I'm pleased you enjoyed what I wrote. I certainly enjoyed writing it. It was fun to give it a different approach. |
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Action/Adventure: September 28, 2005 Issue [#631]
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