Writing and Reading

Literary Agent Bransford amazes me–how does that man catch all these news? It’s like he gets a neural feed into his brain on what’s going on in the literary industry (I’m sure he’s not the first agent to know things, by any stretch, but he’s sure punctual about posting things on his blog).

What I’m referring to is something recent in his blog, mentioning what he quoted as digital literary, specifically the use of video games as a stimulus for reading. I found it interesting given the hot topics of e-books and the dying medium of hardcovers and paperbacks (which, to be honest, in my opinion, will never actually ‘die’!) and the possible implosion and evaporation of publishers who must face the unbeatable monster of digital media and the fierce warlord, the KINDLE (cue the dark, “Phantom of the Opera”-style music NOW). Sorry, Nathan. I know you love your Kindle. But you have to admit, the Kindle is not kind to the gentleness of the lovable paper book and its love for peace and long life in the world…*sighs*. Oh, woe is me.

Given a previous post of mine regarding this topic, it spurred thoughts as far as innovation for publishers and even writers who want to experiment with the new mediums in today’s world. Again, the simple fact–books will never die. But accompanying those books will be a multitude of mediums to sink our teeth into, expanding our audience. Which, in turn, will strengthen, you guessed it–

THE BOOK INDUSTRY. Yes.

I have to say–the idea presented in that article Nathan spoke of regarding video games is handy! And it got my brain sparkin’–

You guys remember those cool ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ books? It’s old school, I know. Those existed back when I was in grade school, for cryin’ out loud. Even better, as a kid, I was heavily into one particular type of series, mixing good ol’ old-style RPG with common literature, by the name of LONE WOLF. FABULOUS series of complex-style ‘choose-your-own-adventure’ books. More complex than the original Choose Your Own Adventure, let me tell you.

Just think of the possibilities regarding literature that can happen knowing what the literary industry has already put out there over the decades! I’m thinking video games here that actually act as ‘Kindles’ but also incorporate graphical illustrations and video to sort of ‘narrate’ the story along. Remember that sweet interactive game ‘Dragon’s Lair’? Where you had to choose what would happen next and had to choose correctly or the dude with that helmet dies? Think of the illustrations to the book happening like that. Essentially, think of a ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ book–

Done digital.

Now that is an awesome idea.

The possibilities of marketing for books we already love, given that idea, is huge. Think of game manufacturers that not only provide a video game–they provide an INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE (again, think ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ or those cool ’80s interactive arcade games like ‘Dragon’s Lair’). Think of a Harry Potter ‘game’ done digital with literature in mind. It’s not about a joystick where you get to move Harry around. It’s about letting your imagination do the work while still interacting with what’s going on. You make the choices. You read what happens. You can see video created by video game designers, narrating it for you after reading the pages done within the game itself. And this goes not only for game consoles–I’m talking iPods, Verizon Voyagers even, Samsung Instincts, any smartphone with game capability and touch screens, any e-reader such as the KINDLE (cue scary, triumphant music again) or Sony eReader.

Think of what it would be like to control what happens to Edward Cullen on your Nintendo Wii. You can read what happens. It becomes a Choose Your Own Adventure and video game combined. It takes your favorite books and markets them even more than ever–reaching more audiences, making more money for authors and publishers and agents. It suddenly makes that all-important, immortal term, the book, that much more of a starting point.

The best part about that? Such projects would ultimately have the original author’s input completely paramount, first and foremost–just like how it would be when producing film adaptation. We got a film being made based on a book? You’re going to have the author there to oversee all that happens, the direction, the acting, the screenplay. The whole nine yards.

It’s remarkable to think of the possibilities publishers have at their disposal. Again, I have to say–

USE IT. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.

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