Hey there guys! I am currently planning my first story to write on Episode. It’s a zombie comedy kind of thing, maybe I’ll put some romance in there. The characters are from University so they’ll be like 18-20. Now, I have the first 4 chapters planned to a ‘t’, but I’m lost on the rest. I have little ideas, like little adventures or locations they could go to, but would people like that? Also, I would like to include a point system in my story and have choices that actually take you down different story paths. I was wondering if anyone could offer me advice on coding/writing the story and whether the point system should be for survival points, or romance, something like that? Any advice you can offer I would really appreciate. Thank you so much! x
I would probably be careful using the point system in your first story since it can get stressful and complicated, if u really want to include it…you might want to reach out to a more experienced coder to help (:
If I were u, I would just go with it and plan as u go…obviously u can plan main plot details etc ahead of time but for the little chapter fillers, just plan them as u need them (:
Since it’s a zombie comedy, u have to make sure that what u include will actually be funny to fit the comedy area of your story. There’s a lot of authors who try fitting their stories into the comedy genre just because they can not because it actually fits there so u have to make sure your content is funny to read (:
Just a tip = Don’t expect too much of yourself, it’s your first story so keep your expectations low so that it’s easier to for u to reach them. If u leave your expectations sky high on your first story, your going to struggle to improve (:
Good luck with your first story (:
Thank you for that fab advice! I’ll definitely take it into consideration. I think I might look around for help on the coding as I have already found it a struggle like you were saying. I hope my story will be funny, I’m not really sure. (: Do you think I should write a short story first to get the hang of coding .etc? Thank you! x
I would say yes to writing a short story for your first one (:
It all depends on how u as the author feel (:
If u have lot of free time, u enjoy coding and u have loads ideas for a story then I would recommend making a long story but if u don’t have much free time, u don’t really enjoy coding and u don’t have many ideas then I would recommend going for a short story (:
Good Luck (:
Brilliant, thanks! I am very busy, so yes, making a short story may be a better idea. I’ll see how things pan out and let you know when I can. (: x
That’s fine, glad I could help (:
I also agree with the idea of making it into a short story instead!
For one of my stories, I wanted to make it really long. But once I started writing and planning my episodes, I realized I would’ve been dragging it out. I couldn’t think of how to make it last longer and still be interested. So I cut it down to a 10 episode story and it worked perfectly! So definitely don’t force yourself to make it longer. Plan all the events you want to take place, and then wrap it up even if it’s only a couple episodes 
Thank you for the help! In all honesty, I don’t really have a set goal for the ending. I wanted to have that set in stone to determine how many episodes and what path the characters would roughly go down. If I feel as though I’m making it too long and some episodes are unnecessary , I will make sure to remember your advice and to try not to lengthen it. Also, I’d love to read your story if you wouldn’t mind sharing the name. (:
Oh wow, that’s awesome! I’ll check them out. I might just stick to a more simple layout for my story, or I may even write a short story to practise coding. Thank you! (:
As long as you have a general idea for the plot line, then you’re good! I do a lot of free thinking as I code my stories, and having a general outline certainly helps if I get stuck or have writers block.
My story is My Secret Profession. This story didn’t have a set ending until I was almost done writing. It’s a good example of having a general idea, and letting your thoughts come naturally as you write 
I hope you enjoy if you decide to read 
Hehe, I’m pretty much in the same boat as you tbh. I’m currently writing a zombie story too but it’s a horror and it’s my first time implementing various point systems with complex branching and mattering choices/subsequent consequences. I’m absolutely determined to have complex branching, so if you are sure you want to go down that road too, I suggest you plan out a table that lists all of your gains/points etc for each chapter so that you don’t get lost within your own branches.
P.S I’d be happy to help you with yours (in PM or DM) if you ever decide that you need that. I’m no expert with branching itself since I do not have as much as experience with it as others, but I’ve managed some complex branching and kept them in my notes (branching based on points and choices made and also using flags+if/elif/else to branch consequences based on choices).
Ah right. I always thought that I needed every little detail planned out. It’s reassuring to hear someone who has written a story of their own give their own opinion. All of your help has been amazing and I really appreciate it. I’d love to give your story a go, and it will be fun to see how you wrote it. (: x
Oh wow! I’d love to check out your story, zombies are my fav! That was what I was originally hoping for, but I think I might just stick to a few important choices and no point system. If I end up really getting into story writing, along the road, I may decide to add in more complex coding. I’ll plan everything out in detail as you suggested and fingers crossed it might work. When and if I do, I would love your help, so thank you for the offer. All the best on your story! (: x
Thanks, I’d love to check out yours too whenever you publish! (:
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