Interactive Fiction with Nat Mesnard
June 11-July 2
Craft Course
Tuesdays, June 11-July 2, Online (Zoom)
In interactive fiction, we add an element to the practice of storytelling that changes everything: choice. Whether you’re talking about video games, immersive theater, choose your own adventure novels, or the avant garde, a world of creative possibility opens up when you offer your readers this freedom. As a writer and game designer, playing with experimental, interactive forms has taught me so much about my “traditional” literary short stories. It has also invited me to bring literary depth to the expanding world of games. This journey into the nonlinear narrative woods has been a source of creative delight and constant inspiration for me throughout my life as a writer—and I’m eager to share it with you.
While interactive fiction takes many forms, in this class we’ll focus on building a short interactive story using a tool built for creative writers: Twine. This browser-based app allows you to create interactive stories without writing code. Through videos, slideshows, online lectures, and message board discussions, I’ll teach you how to use Twine, while also enticing you to play with and think about interactive fiction craft. By the end of the week, you’ll have written a first, complete draft of an interactive story that you can choose to release online or use as the starting point for any number of future interactive works created on your own.
This is a craft course. Our craft courses analyze fiction from a craft perspective and include generative writing exercises. Class will meet once a week for a live zoom lecture based on the assigned reading, along with a discussion and writing prompt. Students are encouraged to share their work on the discussion board for light feedback by fellow students and the instructor. Some craft courses will be recorded. More information about this class will be available soon.
Schedule
Live lectures will be held on evenings in June. A detailed schedule will be announced once the course goes on sale.
About Nat Mesnard:
Nat Mesnard is a writer and game designer based in NYC, where they teach Narrative Design, Game Design, and Game Studies at Pratt Institute. Nat has published poetry, fiction, and nonfiction in Brink, Vol. 1 Brooklyn, Cartridge Lit, Autostraddle, Bodega, Blackbird, Kenyon Review Online, Ninth Letter, and elsewhere. A 2023 recipient of the Paragraph Jane Hoppen Residency, Nat is faculty in the Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop, and teaches classes in interactive fiction for One Story.
FAQ
When can I register for this class?
Registration will open in early 2024 and close one week before the class start date, or when the class reaches its cap.
How does the class work?
This class meets weekly for live Zoom discussions for the duration of the course. Reading and writing assignments will be distributed in Thinkific, our online learning platform. That is also where students will share responses to the assignments for feedback from their fellow students and the instructor.
Is participation on the discussion board required?
We encourage all students to share work and to participate in discussions to get the most out of the experience.
Is there homework?
The class will include reading assignments, writing exercises, and discussion questions. The instructor will be providing light feedback on student work.
How much time will the class take?
Live lessons run for an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes. Plan to spend about 2 hours a week on reading and writing assignments, plus however long you decide to spend on the discussion boards.
How many students are in the class?
This class is capped at 25 students.
Can I take the class on my phone?
Yes, the class can be taken on a phone, but we recommend a computer or tablet to get the most out of the experience.
Can I save the material for later use?
There will be downloadable readings and writing exercises, but otherwise class content lives on the learning platform. To prevent distribution of the material without our knowledge, students are not permitted to copy/paste the lessons but are of course welcome to take notes.
What if I can’t wait to get started?
The classroom will open one week before the class start date, so that students can download any reading and writing assignments and familiarize themselves with the learning platform.
Do you offer financial aid or scholarships for this class?
At the moment, we are unable to offer scholarships for our craft courses.
Discounts & Policies
Our online classes are designed to be safe spaces for all who participate. One Story will not tolerate hate speech, bullying, or harassment directed toward instructors or fellow students, and reserves the right to remove participants who engage in such behavior from our classes.
Patron Discount: In order to qualify for our patron discount, you must be a member of our patron circle at the time of registration. Patrons commit to annual donations and receive benefits that allow them to participate in our non-profit organization in more meaningful ways. Not all One Story subscribers or supporters are patrons. If you’d like to find out more about becoming a patron, you can do so here.
Refund Policy: Students can receive full refunds prior to one week before the class start date, and 50% refunds from in the week leading up to the class. Class payment is non-refundable on or after the class’s start date. For questions about the refund policy, or if you are unable to take the class after you have registered, please contact maribeth@one-story.com.
If you have any questions, please contact edu.support@one-story.com.
