Weird request but I'm bored of traditional narratives. Read a book, character makes decisions, I watch it happen, book ends. Feeling disconnected from stories lately because I have zero input on anything.
Used to love choose your own adventure as a kid but adult versions are rare and usually gimmicky. Want something where my engagement actually matters beyond just turning pages and hoping the author makes good choices.
Interactive fiction exists but most of it is text only and poorly written. Need something with actual narrative quality, not just "pick option A or B" with no real consequence.
Maybe I'm asking for something that doesn't exist? But with all the technology available, why are books still 100% predetermined? Every other medium has evolved to include some audience participation but publishing is stuck in the same format from 50 years ago.
Anyone know books or book-adjacent things that give readers actual agency in storytelling? Not talking about fanfiction or writing my own, I want professional quality narratives where my choices influence outcomes.
Starting to think I need to look outside traditional publishing for this but not sure where to start.
by garling-sham