Writing styles differ as much as individuals. Many writers stick to their plotline from the very beginning while others chop and change as they go along. However, no matter what we write, everything we create is a "choose your own adventure" - a CYOA for short.
Adopting a CYOA approach to writing can help tremendously with writer's block and is also an interesting way to think about your own story.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the concept, a choose your own adventure is one in which, when faced by a decision, the reader chooses what to do, and then turns to a certain page or follows a certain link to find out what happens next. They go something like this:
You approach a crossroads. What do you do?
A) Go left
B) Go right
C) Try to read the sign
D) Sit down and cry
Sometimes your choices vary based on your current condition; your levels of health, strength or money will affect the decisions you make. Other times, you will be faced with more difficult choices that challenge your morals and personal beliefs. As you can imagine, writing something like this can very quickly branch into a huge project.
Of course, I'm not suggesting you drop your current project to plan and write one or even that you finish it (unless you want to). If you have writer's block, you could try writing a CYOA version of your most recent chapter to help you figure out the way you want to continue. If you don't have writer's block and have some time to kill, you could try it with an existing piece of writing or with a new prompt for fun.
Writing a CYOA is a great exercise in writing because you need to evaluate the different ways a situation could go, predict how different people might respond to it, and prepare for the various consequences that may ensue.
For example, if you are given personal stats of strength and intelligence, you might have an option that lends itself to each. What would an Einstein-level genius do in a situation versus someone who is more brawn than brains? What might happen if someone who is very puny tries to barge through a door or tackle a dragon to save their love?
These examples may seem obvious, but the further you get into a story, the more interesting it becomes to think about. It can be easy to lose track of your various storylines if you are not careful, and it can take a lot of effort to continue with something of this complexity.
But, if nothing else, it's something different to try. Even if it turns out full of plot holes and ridiculously silly, remember that just taking the time to try something new can be a rewarding experience in itself.
