Interactive Fiction with Nat Mesnard
December 7–11
$75
$65
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 online class meets on your schedule. Each day, the next class will be automatically uploaded. You can log in any time to access the materials, watch videos, read about interactive fiction design, and continue to develop your story prototype. Have a question? Jump into the discussion boards and I’ll post an answer to the group. You’ll also be able to share your work with fellow students and connect with writers across the globe. If you fall behind—no worries!—all the class materials will be left up for an additional month for you to catch up.
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 October and close December 6th, 2022.
How does the class work?
Lessons will be posted nightly at 11:59pm UTC. Each lesson will comprise video lectures, assignments, readings, and resources. The class also includes discussion boards where participants can interact with one another and with Nat.
Is participation on the discussion board required?
No, it’s optional; participants are welcome to jump into the conversation or sit back and observe.
Is there homework?
The class includes optional reading assignments and writing exercises using Twine. Students have the option of sharing their responses to the exercises for feedback from other students. The instructor will not be evaluating student work.
How much time will the class take?
Plan to spend about one to two hours per day reviewing the lessons and completing the exercises, plus however much time you choose to spend playing with Twine and connecting with classmates on the discussion board.
How many students are in the class?
One Story online classes are large, and tend to range from 100-250 students.
What if I want to take the class, but the dates don’t work for me?
The class is designed for participants to proceed at their own pace, on their own schedule, so if you miss a day or three, no problem. All class materials will be accessible online through 11:59pm UTC January 10th, 2023. Please note, however, that Nat will be present on the discussion board only from December 7th-11th. Class material will not be available to students after January 10th. We are unable to offer extensions.
Can I take the class on my smartphone?
Yes, the class can be taken on a smartphone, 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 some downloadable material, 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 discussion board will open on Monday, December 5th, two days before the class begins, so that participants can meet, mingle, and familiarize themselves with the learning platform.
Do you offer financial aid or scholarships for this class?
Yes. We offer a limited number of need-based scholarships that cover 50% of tuition. The window to request a scholarship is open now through November 30th. If you are interested in applying for a scholarship, please fill out this form.
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: One Story class payment is non-refundable 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.
