Writing novels with game tools | My Gamified Writing Process

I'm a professional horror writer who can't come up with an idea to save his life. But with tools made for game masters, who needs to have an original thought? This video demonstrates my process for generating a plot concept using The Story Engine (‪@StoryEngineDeck‬ ) and Rory's Story Cubes.
The Story Engine Deck - storyenginedec...
Rory's Story Cubes - some of these are surprisingly hard to get outside of Europe and get expensive.
Classic - amzn.to/3PakXro
Harry Potter - amzn.to/3wJAkkl
Actions - amzn.to/3TqQA2B
Looney Tunes - amzn.to/4a3rqg0
Batman - amzn.to/439PH1n
Ryker Writes - @alanjryker
Amazon links are affiliate links.

[@workingforgear]

This is an amazing idea! Both the use of the card to help with the idea, and the a actual book idea. I would totally read this story.

[@dciancia22]

This video sums up the reasons I subscribed. The combination of solo gaming, narrative, and writing is fascinating to me and I haven’t found it elsewhere. Plus, J. Alan does a terrific job providing honest reviews while explaining how gaming feeds his dark soul.

[@JAlanRykerGames]

wow, thank you for the kind words! I think maybe there's enough interest in this writing approach that I should make some more videos about it

[@icebergzero]

I engage with board games to a large degree because the ways in which the narrative unfolds both on the board and in my head. It enriches my writing and stimulates the creative process. Thank you so much for illustrating the intersection of these art forms and some of the ways in which they interact.

[@JAlanRykerGames]

Thank you for the very kind comment! It is such an interesting time in board games as designers show a lot of adventurous spirit in exploring how to best mesh narrative and game mechanisms

[@workingforgear]

Yes, I’m interested in the longer video into your process! I’m riveted.

[@JAlanRykerGames]

Thanks so much for the kind comments! I just finished a novel yesterday. Maybe I'll record myself plotting out the beginning of a new novel using Adventure Crafter. There are at least two of you who are interested 😂

[@NuggetsDungeonTerrain]

Thanks for sharing. Always interested to hear your thoughts.

[@StéphanieWorrell]

I love to watch the process. Using such tools are a great idea ! And watching you think, build, and come up with a solid idea at the end is very interesting and fun. Thanks for sharing.

[@JAlanRykerGames]

Hi Stéphanie! Thanks for the kind words. I had a few of these posted on my writing channel when I initially started it. They didn't gain traction like my video essays did. Maybe I should try posting again and see if people are interested now

[@StéphanieWorrell]

@@JAlanRykerGames How about offering a little game to your audience : you draw cards one week and choose the word to keep, but make no comment on them. And then a couple of weeks later, you read out 5 or 6 story ideas people have sent you using the ideas from the cards, plus your own, of course. Only a very short paragraph. That would be fun. I wonder if people would participate.

[@JAlanRykerGames]

@@StéphanieWorrell good idea! that would be fun, and something I might do when the audience gets a bit bigger. I think some percentage of people would participate

[@CGoody564]

Excited for this one
Also sorry for blowing up the comment section last time, I have a bad habit of writing whatever dumb crap I'm thinking in that moment even if it isn't at all relevant. Will try to avoid doing so going forward

[@JAlanRykerGames]

you're good! I enjoy your comments

[@bryonsturm3753]

Used games cubes with students, very interested in the story engine cards. Look to be a very good investment for a teacher like myself. This video will be a new tool for inspiring writing with my students, bless you

[@JAlanRykerGames]

I think the story engine cards would be really great for students. Some prompt systems are too complicated, but these are both easy to use and evocative. check out @storyenginedeck , because during their kickstarter, they created free copies for classrooms. maybe some are still available

[@icebergzero]

I have used Story Engine extensively cards in my classroom. The kids love them, it breaks the tyranny of the blank page in a way that gives them some control over where the prompt is heading. it can be really effective and kids who really struggle getting started are really engaged with it.

[@kevinstricklen7579]

I would be interested in the Mythic Solo method mentioned at the end of the video. This is a very interesting approach.

[@JAlanRykerGames]

It's a long process, but I might record the beginning of it the next time I start a project. Thanks! Here's a link to the product if you're interested in it for yourself. It can be used with mythic for gaming, or without for writing/pre-planning: preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/343464/the-adventure-crafter-book-and-deck-pdf-bundle

[@icebergzero]

I would also be really interested in this.

[@kosterix123]

don't let your publisher know you are broadcasting this to the entire web lol

[@JAlanRykerGames]

ha you're right, I should probably be more careful about arming the competition