Bring interactive storytelling into your classroom and help pupils create stories where the reader chooses their own adventure.
In this episode of Author In Your Classroom, author Rhianna Pratchett (Crystal of Storms) explores the unique world of writing for video games and interactive fiction. She shows how writers can build immersive worlds, develop compelling characters and create narratives where the reader’s choices shape the story. Drawing on her experience across games, comics, scripts and novels, Rhianna highlights the importance of narrative design, world-building and action-driven character development.
This teaching sequence gives pupils the opportunity to write their own choose your own adventure stories. It supports children in planning multiple story endings, thinking carefully about character actions and motivations, and experimenting with non-linear narratives – all while encouraging creativity, collaboration and problem-solving.
Short extracts from the podcast are suggested to introduce each stage of learning, helping pupils connect their classroom writing with the approaches of a professional storyteller.
Resource pack contents
This free classroom pack supports a complete narrative writing unit and includes:
- A ready-to-use PowerPoint
- An extract from Crystal of Storms
- Planning sheets for world-building, character actions and multiple endings
- Working wall images and quotes
- Writing sheets
Teaching overview
Across four sessions, pupils will:
- Explore world-building: Listen to podcast extracts and discuss how authors create detailed, immersive worlds, including the “body of the iceberg” – the background details that enrich the story even if they don’t appear directly.
- Develop characters through action: Learn that action equals character, exploring how a character’s choices, behaviours and dialogue reveal their personality and drive the narrative.
- Create multiple endings: Plan and write a story with three possible endings, giving the reader control over the narrative while maintaining a coherent plot.
- Write, share and refine: Draft their interactive story, receive peer feedback and revise for clarity, engagement and imaginative storytelling.
The unit also includes guidance on using a working wall to capture ideas for worlds, characters and endings, and encourages pupils to explore further writing inspired by games and interactive fiction.
How to listen
Search for Author In Your Classroom wherever you get your podcasts. A free resources pack is available with every episode.
Subscribe to hear more authors share creative approaches that help pupils write confidently, imaginatively, and with choice at the heart of their storytelling.
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