Twine is an authoring tool for creating interactive and nonlinear stories. A project is represented as a collection of passages connected through links, giving authors a visual overview of branches and alternative routes through the narrative.
Straightforward stories require no programming. Writers who need additional behaviour can introduce variables and conditional logic or use web technologies to customise presentation. Finished projects are published as HTML, so the resulting story can be opened in a conventional web browser.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Arrange passages visually and see the links between different sections of a story.
- Create branching narratives without needing to write program code.
- Use variables and conditional logic to make story progression depend on earlier choices.
- Select from story formats including Harlowe, Snowman and SugarCube.
- Use Paperthin to generate a story presentation intended for proofreading.
- Add CSS to control the appearance of a published story.
- Add JavaScript when a project requires behaviour beyond the selected story format.
- Incorporate images, audio and other web content into interactive work.
- Preview and test stories while developing them.
- Publish a completed project as an HTML document that can be distributed independently of Twine.
- Use either the browser-based environment or the Electron desktop application.
Website: twinery.org
Support:
Developer: Chris Klimas, Leon Arnott, Daithi O Crualaoich, Ingrid Cheung, Thomas Michael Edwards, Micah Fitch, Juhana Leinonen, Michael Savich, and Ross Smith
License: GNU General Public License v3.0
Twine is written in JavaScript. Learn JavaScript with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| Tools for Novelists | |
|---|---|
| FocusWriter | Distraction-free writing environment with goals and statistics |
| Ren'Py | Engine for creating visual novels and interactive stories |
| novelWriter | Structured plain-text editor for novels and long-form fiction |
| CherryTree | Hierarchical notes for research, characters and story planning |
| Zettlr | Markdown writing environment for long-form projects |
| oStorybook | Novel planning and writing suite with scenes and timelines |
| Twine | Visual tool for creating branching and interactive stories |
| Manuskript | Novel-writing environment built around structured planning |
| Quoll Writer | Novel-writing workspace with chapters, assets and goals |
| Joplin | Note-taking application useful for research and story planning |
| Hammer | Offline-first story editor with scenes, notes and references |
| Bibisco | Novel-writing environment focused on characters and structure |
| Story Architect | Bring characters, scenes and screenplays together in one workspace |
| WareWoolf | Minimalist fiction-writing environment with planning tools |
| Scriptorium | Plan, write and publish novels and other manuscripts |
| Cheese Paper | A comfortable writing environment for lengthy prose |
| Skribisto | Writing studio with corkboard, sessions and rich export support |
| novelibre | Novel organiser integrated with LibreOffice and OpenOffice |
| Scrivus | Plan and write your novel while keeping everything on your own computer |
| NovProg | Tracks and graphs writing progress against project goals |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
| Write Interactive Fiction | |
|---|---|
| Ren'Py | Create over a thousand visual novels, games, and other works |
| Twine | Visual tool for creating interactive stories |
| ALAN | ALAN Adventure Language |
| Quest | A good system to make interactive story games |
| Squiffy | Useful tool for creating interactive stories |
| FrobTADS | Authoring System to Create Your Own Interactive Fiction |
| Inform | Popular design system for interactive fiction based on natural language |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
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