Our Life Beginnings & Always
Our Life is a wholesome visual novel that takes players on a four part journey through childhood by experiencing familiar stepping stones of everyday moments, evolving friendships, possible romances, and treating your feelings with care. The story is flexible enough to allow ample customization that is woven seamlessly into the experience.
My role as an Event writer consisted of taking the 4-9 page story outlines and character sheets, and adapting the plot beats into full 20-40 page scripts.
Sample One (outline VS my draft VS final in game scene):
[Note these in game images are a placeholder until I can replace them with cleaner quality]
This role entailed a lot of creativity and problem solving on my part, because of the multiple variations within the branching narrative options.
[Note: The playable character, noted as MC, is having a conversation with someone who ghosted them for years and they are now stuck working together for the foreseeable future. This sample is highlighting how I mapped out and tracked variations.
Since there wasn’t a set in stone format and the sample scripts I had for reference varied slightly, I came up with a system that mimicked the commonality of the others and also made sense to my eye: scenario variations are labeled in bold, if I knew the plug in code I’d use it - such as [first_name] but if I didn’t the note of what is needed is clearly put in brackets, and I’d use ‘///’ to mark where a spot ends and its scenario will continue further in the script - especially if it was a place I was losing track of in review.]
Sample Two:
Menu option:
-“You walked to the door with him.”
“Baxter glanced at the movement to his side and realized what you were doing. His eyes widened before he regained control of his composure.”
If MC goes with him:
Baxter: “Oh. Quite the [gentleman/gentlelady/proper host], hm?”
MC: “Yes, I am.”
“You reached forward and opened the door. Baxter went through with an appreciative nod, but he didn’t expect you to follow.”
“The politeness in his smile began to crack. You led him to the end of the driveway and then to the opposite side of the street where his car was parked.”
“He kept glancing your way, wondering where in this short trip you were planning on leaving him. You weren’t sure yourself, but each time he caught your eye you felt compelled to continue.”
“You didn’t stop until you were standing at the nose of his shiny car. Baxter watched you cordially beside the driver’s side door.”
Baxter: “Thank you for escorting me the whole way.”
If comfort == 1
MC: “You’re welcome.”
If comfort == 2
MC: “No worries.”
If comfort == 3
MC: “It was no trouble at all.”
“You both stood there silently for a few more seconds. His features tensed slightly as he moved to take his keys out of his pocket.”
“Baxter unlocked the car and opened the door, but he didn’t get inside. He looked at you and his mouth twisted awkwardly.”
Baxter: “Alright, be safe.”
“You hummed in response and remained rooted in place. Baxter’s gaze flickered between you and the car.”
Baxter: “Could you please move off of the street?”
If comfort == 1
“You answered with another quiet hum and sauntered towards the house.”
If comfort == 2
MC: “Sure thing.”
If comfort == 3
MC: “Sure. I can do that.”
Menu:
-“You went back to the house.”
MC: “Bye.”
Baxter: “Take care.”
“You ambled up the driveway and stopped at the front door. The knob was cold against your palm, but you couldn’t bring yourself to turn it yet.”
“Peeking at him, you expected to see Baxter’s car disappearing down the street, but he wasn’t leaving. He was still loitering.”
Menu:
-“You decided to be the first one to part ways.”
“Taking a deep breath, you opened the door and went inside.”
-“You wanted him to leave first.”
“You knew he was watching you just as carefully. Baxter waved, encouraging you to go inside, but you chose to wave back instead.”
“His hand gradually fell to his side, and you felt your insides knot up. Something strange was happening, but you couldn’t quite put your finger on it.”
“Baxter’s head dropped next, and you could faintly discern a sigh. That was it. Jogging away from the house, you skidded to a stop by the nose of his car again.”
If comfort == 1
MC: “What’s wrong? Why aren’t you going anywhere?”
If comfort == 2
MC: “Don’t lie to me. What’s wrong? Why aren’t you going anywhere?”
If comfort == 3
MC: “Something’s up, so spill. What’s wrong? Tell me why you’re not going anywhere?”
“Baxter’s posture straightened under your unyielding gaze. He folded his arms defensively.”
Baxter: “Everything’s fine.”
///
-“You stopped on the sidewalk.”
“Hopping up onto the curb, you balanced on the edge so you could watch him leave. Baxter’s jaw dropped in disbelief.”
Baxter: “Are you certain that you don’t need to return to your friends? I can wait to pull out until you’ve gone inside. I don’t mind.”
If comfort == 1
“Your mouth pressed into a fine line and you crossed your arms. Baxter swallowed thickly.”
If comfort == 2
MC: “No, you can go first.”
If comfort == 3
MC: “Nah, I’m fine right here. You can go first.”
“Baxter’s head dropped and he let out a weary sigh. Something strange was clearly up with him.”
MC: “What’s wrong? Why aren’t you going anywhere?”
Baxter: “Everything’s fine. I swear.”
///
“His cheeks reddened a bit more under the setting sun. It was obvious that he was embarrassed to admit the truth of the situation.”
Baxter: “I…Honestly, it wasn’t my intention to leave quite yet. I wanted to get some ice cream.”
///
Baxter: “From an ice cream truck.”
“The added context flew from his lips the second his initial response hit his ears. His rambling continued as he explained himself.”
Baxter: “When I dropped you off here yesterday, I remembered this was the general area it covered. I checked online, and confirmed that this was the case and that it had the same route.”
“The longer he spoke the tighter his grip became, grasping the edges of his jacket. It was as if he needed to reassure himself that he was still a mature adult to counterbalance his desire for ice cream.”
Baxter: “Since I was already here, I was imagining I could patronize the truck again. So that is why I’m in no rush. Please, don’t let me hold you up.”
If MC let him go:
Baxter: “I’m sure that you had some other reason to be here, other than to check on me.”
If MC went with him:
Baxter: “I’m sure that you’re eager to rejoin the others.”
///
Menu:
-“I’m not in a hurry either.”
“Your words hung in the air. Pinching the inside of your cheek between your teeth, you watched Baxter cautiously.”
-“Ice cream sounds good.”
“You shrugged in an effort to appear nonchalant. He didn’t say anything in response, so you began scanning the neighborhood instead. There was no sign of a truck so far.”
-“What? You’re trying to hold out on me!”
“Arching a brow, you mockingly put your hands on your hips. Baxter gaped at you.”
-“...I wouldn’t mind some ice cream.”
“You sheepishly rubbed the side of your neck and scanned the neighborhood. There was no sign of the truck so far.”
If not upset:
-“That’s adorable.”
“Baxter blinked at your brazen remark, but the rest of his expression remained indecipherable. You held your head high and smirked.”
If upset:
-“Regrettably, you still thought he was cute.”
“Swallowing thickly, you fought against every natural instinct that wanted to laugh and smile as if Baxter never left.”
“His unique and sometimes bizarre behavior was endearing. And it was far too easy to remember why the two of you clicked in the first place.”
-“You laughed at this unexpected turn.”
“There was a lot weighing on your mind with the wedding only days away, but this might’ve been your breaking point. You pressed your palms to your knees and tried to steady yourself.”
“After accepting his role as the wedding planner, this was probably the last thing you ever expected to witness. You missed this vulnerable and inelegant side of Baxter.”
-“You shook your head with zero intention of going anywhere.”
“Baxter’s mouth pressed into a fine line. He understood your plan without you having to utter a single word.”
Baxter: “I see.”
///
If MC let him go:
MC: “To be honest I was out here looking for Miranda’s hat, but I’ll text her that it’s not here and I’ll be back soon.”
If MC went with:
MC: “I’ll text Miranda and let her know that I’ll be back soon.”
///
“Baxter let out a deep, exasperated sigh and carded his fingers through his hair. The corner of his mouth crooked.”
Baxter: “At this point it doesn’t matter if you stay or go. You know what I’m up to, and it’s a public activity. Who am I to say you’re not also welcome to visit the neighborhood ice cream truck?”
If not upset:
MC: “Uh-huh, that’s right.”
If upset:
“Nodding along, you accepted the situation for what it was: awkward and obstinate. You weren’t going anywhere.”
Sample Three:
Baxter: “Well, since we’re already here and it’s nearly lunch, how about we grab something to eat?”
Scott: “Here? You want to get food at the bowling alley?”
Baxter: “Yes. I don’t see why not.”
Jude: “That’s cool with me.”
Miranda: “It can’t be that bad. Let’s grab a bite!”
“Scott’s focus flickered between the siblings. His brows raised in contrast to their easygoing remarks.”
Scott: “Fine. We’ll eat here.”
“Terry snorted and folded his arms across his chest. He didn’t share Scott’s qualms at that moment.”
Terry: “I’ll bite. So Baxter, I gotta know why you would wanna eat at a run-of-the-mill place like this?”
“Immediately, the corners of Scott’s mouth curled triumphantly. He soaked in the validation that he wasn’t the only one thinking things felt off.”
Terry: “Do they secretly have an unquestionably good cook back there? You can tell me.”
“Baxter’s nose wrinkled and then he burst into a fit of laughter at Terry’s interrogation. He combed the tips of his fingers through his swoop of bangs.”
Baxter: “I’m not a nobleman. I’m perfectly happy to explore the lunch options just mere feet from us. I eat food the same as everyone else.”
“Terry nudged his head in Miranda’s direction. He didn’t take his eyes off of Baxter though.”
Terry: “He’s evading the final question. There’s a good chance the food is really good here.”
Menu:
-“I seem to recall when we went bowling together, you insisted we get food somewhere else.”
MC: “Hmm, I believe we ate at a nice country club instead.”
Jude: “Ha, caught!”
“Grinning ear to ear, Jude draped his arm around Scott’s shoulders. Miranda and Terry exchanged a knowing glance and then snickered.”
Scott: “You went bowling before? When?”
Baxter: “[first_name], that was many years ago. You can’t wholeheartedly judge my actions today based on my behavior then.”
Baxter: “Nineteen year old Baxter had far too high of expectations for every hour. The person you see before you today is humbler, and dare I say, even more flexible.”
///
“Despite Baxter’s continued insistence that he’s a totally normal guy who would definitely eat at a bowling alley, the group squished together and watched with intrigue as he approached the counter and actually put in an order.”
“Baxter selected a veggie burger, which evoked several murmurs of agreement from your friends. Out of all the options that did appear to be the most fitting for a fancy wedding planner.”
I learned and grew exponentially in this position. Most of my assignments were on a monthly timetable for completion, so learning to manage my time was crucial. Prior life experiences already gave me a foothold in this category, but after three years my mindset definitely evolved. This routine taught me a lot about my personal limitations and my potential to adapt each script better than the one before.
The nature of the job meant that I wasn’t always aware of the little moments that could thread through the narrative. I was given context and allowed to ask as many questions as I wanted, but because of the freedom writers like me were given, I knew the story was likely in flux. And I quickly learned that I found that creative freedom and collaboration immensely rewarding. I gave each scenario my all, but it came with a peace that I knew the script was imperfect. There’s only so long a person can stare and reread their own document before their brain can’t sift through the information efficiently anymore. Once the updates launched, that was when I got to experience how everyone's assignments pieced together into a cohesive story. Sometimes parts were changed, but even still I could find how many of my original draft became a jumping off point that made those moments and lines even better.
Working on Our Life was a humbling experience. I've never felt prouder about any project, and I'm extremely grateful for the role I played.