Synopses & Reviews
The completely updated second edition of Writing for Multimedia and the Web provides a step-by-step explanation of how to create powerful content for interactive media. Major additions include: greatly expanded coverage of the Web, new case studies, and tips on building an interactive writing career. The book's clear writing style and extensive examples make it suitable for beginning and experienced writers, developers, and designers.
Part I, "Interactive Media and the Writer," examines the demands that multimedia and the Web make on the writer, including interactive architecture, writing for multiple media, organizational tools, and script formatting.
Parts II and III, "Writing Informational Multimedia and Websites" and "Writing Interactive Narrative," are devoted to in-depth case studies of a wide variety of projects, ranging from Websites, to training, to games. In these case studies, top writers and designers for multimedia and the Web reveal their secrets for creating effective programs.
Part IV, "Interactive Writing Careers," provides tips on becoming a professional interactive writer.
The companion CD-ROM includes script samples, site maps, screen shots, program demos, production information, links to software, and a video on the creation of a multimedia program.
Key elements updated and retained from the first editions include:
Clear explanation of the demands of interactivity and multimedia on the writer
Practical tips useful to the interactive writer, such as formatting and software
Detailed case studies of classic programs in all major types of multimedia: games, training, education, advertising, interactive movies, and Web sites
In depth interviews from the creators of successful multimedia programs
Extensive script samples, screen shots, and flowcharts
CD-ROM packed with video, software, scripts, demos, background, and reference material.
New information on online narrative
New section on technical skills for the interactive writer
Resources aimed at helping writers break into multimedia
Review
Garrand cleanly and effortlessly explains potentially complex ideas in the briefest possible space and illuminates his points with not only thoughtful examples, but insightful commentary from writers, designers and programmers. Creative Screenwriting, Spring 1997
Review
st and The 11th Hour and co-creator of Zoog Disney
REVIEW OF THE FIRST EDITION
Writing for Multimedia is as accessible a writer's text as there could be. . . . Garrand cleanly and effortlessly explains potentially complex ideas in the briefest possible space and illuminates his points with not only thoughtful examples, but insightful commentary from writers, designers and programmers. Creative Screenwriting, Spring 1997
Review
in the briefest possible space and illuminates his points with not only thoughtful examples, but insightful commentary from writers, designers and programmers. Creative Screenwriting, Spring 1997
Review
Garrand has done it again. The first edition of Writing for Multimedia was the definitive work on interactive narrative. Now he has expanded his analysis to the Web. If you want to be successful on the Internet, this book is a must read!—David Riordan, Creative Director, Next Step
Garrand remains the 'go-to' guy for anyone wanting to know how to make sure Web site and multimedia content has an impact on their desired audience.—Andrew Nelson, writer/producer, Britannica.com Web site and Titanic: Adventure out of Time
The new edition of Writing for Multimedia & the Web is a valuable multimedia bible for anyone who wants to write for new media. Garrand's interviews probe the secrets to interactive hits of the past while tracking things to come. I know I'll be keeping it close by my desk.—Matthew Costello, author, The 7th Guest and The 11th Hour and co-creator of Zoog Disney
REVIEW OF THE FIRST EDITION
Writing for Multimedia is as accessible a writer's text as there could be. . . . Garrand cleanly and effortlessly explains potentially complex ideas in the briefest possible space and illuminates his points with not only thoughtful examples, but insightful commentary from writers, designers and programmers.—Creative Screenwriting, Spring 1997
Table of Contents
Introduction; Part I Interactive Media and the Writer; Interactivity and the Writer; Writing for Many Media; High-Level Design, Management, and Technical Skills Useful to the Interactive Writer; The Multimedia Production Team; Script and Proposal Formatting; Key Points from Part I; Part II: Writing Nonnarrative Informational Multimedia and Web Sites; Principles of Nonnarrative Informational Multimedia; Nonnarrative Informational Media Structure; Introduction to the Informational Multimedia Case Studies; Writing a Marketing Web Site From Proposal to Meta Tags:; Prudential Verani Realty; Corporate Web Site Case Study: T. Rowe Price Web Site; Research Portal Web Site & The Online Feature Story: Britannica.Com; & The Harlem Renaissance; Online Advertising Case Study: Zdu; Museum Kiosk Case Study: The Nauticus Shipbuilding Company; Educational Multimedia Case Study: Sky High; Training Case Study: Vital Signs; Key Points from Part II; Part III: Writing Narrative Multimedia; Interactive Multimedia Narrative; and Linear Narrative; The Elements of Interactive Multimedia Narrative; Introduction to Narrative Multimedia Case Studies; Puzzle-Based Game Case Study: The 11th Hour: The Sequel to the 7th Guest; Cinematic Narrative Case Study: Voyeur; Parallel Stories Narrative Case Study: The Pandora Directive; Worlds Narrative Case Study: Dust: A Tale of the Wired West; Key Points from Part III; Part IV: Conclusion: Becoming a Successful; Interactive Writer; Appendix; Index