Today I just wanted to share something fun (and a little spooky) that I’m diving into—I’m posting a choose-your-own-adventure horror story on TikTok!
Growing up, I was obsessed with text-based adventures and those classic choose-your-own-adventure books. You know, the ones where you’d flip to page 54 to fight the dragon or to page 102 to sneak past it, only to end up in even deeper trouble? There was something magical about being in control of the story, making decisions that could either lead to a happy ending or—more often than not—a gruesome demise. Those books were a huge part of my childhood, sparking my love for storytelling and, of course, horror.
So, naturally, I thought, why not bring that same thrill to TikTok? I’ve been toying with the idea of creating a short horror story where you, the viewers, get to decide what happens next. Here’s how it’s going to work: each video will feature a short paragraph of action, setting up the scene or introducing a new twist in the story. Then, at the end of the video, I’ll present a couple of options—maybe just two or three—for what the character should do next. You can vote on your preferred choice in the comments, and I’ll continue the story based on the most selected option.
I’m still figuring out the details—like how long the polls will stay open for each video before I write the next section. I’m not even sure if the polls automatically close as part of how they run on TikTok, but I’ll make it work somehow! It’s all a bit of an experiment, but I’m excited to see where it goes.
And the best part? **Part 1 of the series is already published on my TikTok!** I’d love for you to check it out and cast your vote on what happens next. Here’s the link to dive into the story.
The cool thing about this format is that it’s more than just a passive watch—everyone gets to be a part of the story, just like those old adventure books. And given the nature of horror, you can bet there’ll be plenty of eerie twists and turns along the way. Whether it’s exploring a haunted house, escaping a monster, or trying to outsmart a sinister force, you’ll have the power to shape the narrative.
If you’re into horror, storytelling, or just enjoy a good thrill, I’d love for you to join in on the fun. Keep an eye out for the first video—let’s see if we can create something as suspenseful and twisted as those books we couldn’t put down as kids. Who knows? This might just be the start of something awesome.
Gareth Ellis - Author 