Project Details

Project Details

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  The purpose of this site is to create a website which engages young adult readers in a series of choices, similar to that of a “choose your own adventure” text or an “alternative reality game.” The choices would work to include young adult readers in a series of decisions which would speak to the idea of a “conscious moral purpose” within a fictional story which they are reading.
  
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  Ideally, I would like to build on a space which I have already created where young adult readers were encouraged to “hang out” and have discussions on my writing, other young adult writing, and various hot button topics of the day. It is my desire to build on this space by encouraging readers to begin a cultural dialogue of sorts, one in which they begin asking questions about the reading in which they are involved.
  
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  This site will be made successful by encouraging a higher-order level of thinking within my readers. Whereas before, my audience was asked to read my writing and young adult literature reviews and consider purchasing texts which were recommended, now readers will be asked to make choices within their own fictional reading pursuits. I am interested in the choices which readers will make based on their interactions with the fictional information that will be presented, their own cultural and literary history, and the form of the text itself, thus presenting a unique web-based intertextual commentary.
  

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  The content of the site will include mostly my writing. However, links to other current young adult authors and various other reading/writing activities which engage the young adult audience will also be included in order to present my reader with the most relevant cultural and literary choices possible.
  
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  I heart YA will be the continued message of my site. This current phrase, which is popular among young adult writers, is the inspiration for my blog, and other blogs and vlogs by young adult writers which incorporate quirky discussion on the ‘I heart YA’ movement: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4Pv_w00Fw8 is one example. However, in building on my site, I will work to incorporate the theme of having a “conscious moral purpose.” While this may begin to change the message of my current site, I am confident and excited to see where my own future writing and choices will take me.
  
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  Competitors might include other young adult writers and online alternative reality game creators.
  
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    My web presence is different from other young adult writers in that, currently, I am a student and have a vast amount of resources including classes, friends, mentors, books, and the available time to stay active and updated within my site.
    
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    Specifically, I am set apart from my competition in that I am an up-and-coming writer. While my writing may not be fully established, my website will be!
    

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  My users would include young adult readers (both male and female), namely ages 12-18, although there are older young adult readers and buyers, so I would also need to consider them.
  
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    Online Frequency: High
    
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    Online Activities: Surfing the web, researching for scholastic activities, downloading music and videos, checking out celebrity gossip, etc.
    
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  Initially, users would visit the site to participate in the alternative reality game which I have created. They may also enjoy exploring other areas of my site, such as reading other stories, reviews, and discussing comments on my blog.
  
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  Most likely, my audience would be looking at my website from home, so a 14 inch monitor may be a consideration which I would like to adapt. Although, if my website were utilized for educational purposes, my site may be viewed on a 17 inch monitor. I may also have to take into consideration users who have dial-up.
  
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  Typical tasks users might perform on the site include:
  
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    Downloading and reading my writing
    
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    Searching for information
    
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    Downloading and reading other’s writing
    
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    Signing a guest book
    
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    Completing other engaging activities
    
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    Linking to other young adult author sites
    
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    Linking to other websites
    
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    Discussing the alternative reality experience in a guestbook
    

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  Ideally, the site will be easily expandable and editable. Depending on my growth as a writer, I would like to continue to improve my site to match my authorial success. Although, in the context of a game, the information would need to remain relatively stable so that all readers come to the conclusion of the game feeling satisfied, similarly to having a cathartic feeling after reading a book.
  
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  I will maintain the site initially; though, again, this will depend on my growth as a writer. In the far-reaching future, I may hire a professional to continue maintenance.
  
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  The site will be updated at least every month.
  

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  The look of the site will be attractive to younger viewers. While it would seem that younger viewers only want the jazzy sites, because they are so adept at technology, the site will need to be more than bells and whistles. The content will need to be portrayed accurately and in a manner effective for young adults, which includes appropriate and detailed information marketed specifically for young adults. Other information and links to outside sources are valuable. Since I am displaying my writing, writing and quirky sayings will be central to my site. Various activities surrounding writing and authors will be provided in a way that is entertaining while not being over the top in performance. I want my readers to be engaged, but not over-stimulated. I am unsure about colors and specific graphics just yet, but here is a rough estimate of the hierarchy which I would like to follow:
  

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  The feel of the site can best be described in adjectives and adverbs:
  
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    Intensely interactive
    
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    Humorously happy
    
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    Exceedingly engaging
    
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    Awesomely attractive
    
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    Ridiculously rare
    
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    Totally trustworthy
    
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    Youthfully young
    
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    Absolutely affordable
    
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  The site will not reflect an existing standard and no existing logos or corporate identities must be used, at this point.
  
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  Sites that might be utilized for inspiration (aesthetic and otherwise) include:
  
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    “Alternate reality game.” Wikipedia. March 2008. 27 March 2008. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternate_reality_game
    
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    “Alternative reality gaming network” Alternative Reality Gaming Network. 2008. 27 March 2008. http://www.argn.com/
    
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    "How alternate reality games work." Boing Boing. March 2008. 27 March 2008 http://www.boingboing.net/2008/03/04/how-alternate-realit.html.
    
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    “LonelyGirl15.” LonelyGirl15. March 2008. 27 March 2008. http://www.lg15.com/
    
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    McGonigal, Jane. “The lost ring.” The Lost Ring. March 2008. 27 March 2008. http://www.thelostring.com/index.html.
    
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    “Omnictionary.” Omnictionary. March 2008. 27 March 2008. http://omnictionary.com/index.php/Main_Page
    
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    Snicket, Lemony. “A Series of Unfortunate Events.” A Series of Unfortunate Events. 2007. 31 May 2007. http://www.lemonysnicket.com.
    
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    Stewart, Sean. Sean Stewart. March 2008. 27 March 2008. http://www.seanstewart.org/
    

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  Go to Media. “Creative Brief.” Go to Media. 2007. 31 May 2007. http://www.gotomedia.com/downloads/creative_brief.rtf.
  
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  The Information Architecture Institute. “Creative Brief.” The Information Architecture Institute. 2007. May 31 2007. http://iainstitute.org/tools/download/creativebrief.doc.