While it’s true that a writer must be able to adapt to the style of a publication, I’m not sure I entirely agree that one type of writing – journalism, for example – is different to every other type of writing – feature film scripts, for another fine example. Structure, development and a clear purpose for your story are universal, so it seems perfectly natural to take those skills and apply them in every literary duty.
That’s what Graffiti Writer is all about. I currently work on a freelance retainer as Pocket Gamer.co.uk’s news editor – a job I landed at exactly the right moment to board the supersonic iPhone train, and I don’t think I’ll be getting off any time soon.
Given that I follow the mobile, iPhone, PC and console gaming trends all day long, and play half a dozen games to completion every week, it seems natural to offer story, character, narrative, editorial and localisation services to game developers, and this is a proving to be an immensely valuable task for a growing list of very select clients.
Working in non-fiction – writing news, features and reviews – is essential to understanding the complexities of game fiction. It teaches you about the essential business of writing, and provides the experience necessary to predict trends and understand the structure of strong interactive narrative, plot and dialogue. This isn’t something that a game designer or programmer is particularly well versed in, but can turn a good game into a great game – even budget priced, five minute iPhone games benefit hugely from the services of a professional, experienced games journalist with a working knowledge of fiction writing, character development and story structure.
And the games industry is no longer owned by America. Some of the best games are coming out of Eastern Europe, the Far East, India and Russia; territories that need to crack the fickle Western, English-speaking markets, where a sterile, word-for-word localisation can do more harm than good. At Graffiti Writer, I offer my clients much more. I edit and rewrite entire game texts – from story and dialogue to menus and user interfaces – to ensure every line and every word does the game justice in its English translation; maintaining the quality of storytelling and style that transforms the overall experience for the gamer.
More and more of my clients are now coming to me during early stages of their game developments for services and consultation on story, narrative, character development and every other aspect of communication with the gamer, which helps game developers ensure their visions are fully realised.
A wealth of industry contacts also help when it comes to delivering and promoting a game, so get in touch for a free consultation and quote on any aspect of your game’s user interaction – fiction, non-fiction and editorial skills are intrinsically linked and vital to any interactive vision. Graffiti Writer brings them all directly to your game.
Spanner Spencer.
GRAFFITI WRITER
~ Irrational Voice of the Damned ~