Writing For Multimedia & Web+cd-Rom 2nd Ed.

Description:
The completely updated second edition of 'Writing for Multimedia and the Web' provides a step-by-step explanation of how to create powerful content for interactive media. Major additions include: greatly expanded coverage of the Web, new case studies, and tips on building an interactive writing career. The book's clear writing style and extensive examples make it suitable for beginning and experienced writers, developers, and designers. Part I, 'Interactive Media and the Writer', examines the demands that multimedia and the Web make on the writer, including interactive architecture, writing for multiple media, organizational tools, and script formatting. Parts II and III, 'Writing Informational Multimedia and Websites' and 'Writing Interactive Narrative', are devoted to in-depth case studies of a wide variety of projects, ranging from Websites, to training, to games. In these case studies, top writers and designers for multimedia and the Web reveal their secrets for creating effective programs. Part IV, 'Interactive Writing Careers', provides tips on becoming a professional interactive writer. The companion CD-ROM includes script samples, site maps, screen shots, program demos, production information, links to software, and a video on the creation of a multimedia program. Key elements updated and retained from the first editions include: clear explanation of the demands of interactivity and multimedia on the writer; practical tips useful to the interactive writer, such as formatting and software; detailed case studies of classic programs in all major types of multimedia: games, training, education, advertising, interactive movies, and Web sites; in depth interviews from the creators of successful multimedia programs; extensive script samples, screen shots, and flowcharts; a CD-ROM that is packed with video, software, scripts, demos, background, and reference material. This book offers new information on online narrative. It includes new section on technical skills for the interactive writer. It presents resources that are aimed at helping writers break into multimedia.

Review:
Clear, easy to read, practical. An excellent text. Best text on the included subject areas I've found yet. Bruce Geisler, Mt. St. Mary College

Table of Contents:
Introduction; Part I Interactive Media and the Writer; Interactivity and the Writer; Writing for Many Media; High-Level Design, Management, and Technical Skills Useful to the Interactive Writer; The Multimedia Production Team; Script and Proposal Formatting; Key Points from Part I; Part II: Writing Nonnarrative Informational Multimedia and Web Sites; Principles of Nonnarrative Informational Multimedia; Nonnarrative Informational Media Structure; Introduction to the Informational Multimedia Case Studies; Writing a Marketing Web Site From Proposal to Meta Tags:; Prudential Verani Realty; Corporate Web Site Case Study: T. Rowe Price Web Site; Research Portal Web Site & The Online Feature Story: Britannica.Com; & The Harlem Renaissance; Online Advertising Case Study: Zdu; Museum Kiosk Case Study: The Nauticus Shipbuilding Company; Educational Multimedia Case Study: Sky High; Training Case Study: Vital Signs; Key Points from Part II; Part III: Writing Narrative Multimedia; Interactive Multimedia Narrative; and Linear Narrative; The Elements of Interactive Multimedia Narrative; Introduction to Narrative Multimedia Case Studies; Puzzle-Based Game Case Study: The 11th Hour: The Sequel to the 7th Guest; Cinematic Narrative Case Study: Voyeur; Parallel Stories Narrative Case Study: The Pandora Directive; Worlds Narrative Case Study: Dust: A Tale of the Wired West; Key Points from Part III; Part IV: Conclusion: Becoming a Successful; Interactive Writer; Appendix; Index