If you want to write for money these days you need to expand your vision of how stories can be used. Award-winning novelist Naomi Alderman ("The Lessons") turned her story-telling talent to use in helping create "Zombies Run!"
It's a phone fitness app that motivates runners by telling them that zombies are chasing them. If you go too slow, you'll hear the moans of your brains-eating pursuers. You take on the role of "Runner 5," who has to collect crucial supplies to help save non-zombie civilisation.
You'll also hear messages from fellow survivors and there is a kind of storyline, presumably featuring the gruesome deaths of a few runners who gave up too soon.
The first "season" consists of 24 episodes as well as plot-free sessions and season two is in progress. It works on the iPhone, iPod Touch, and Android, through headphones. You set the speed based on your level of fitness and how far you want to run, and you can add your own custom music playlist.
The project was funded via Kickstarter, the crowdfunding site. You can find out more at http://www.zombiesrungame.com.
(I've heard that zombies are especially drawn to people who haven't yet bought my latest book, "Your Creative Writing Masterclass," so if I were you I'd get it right away from Amazon or your other favourite bookseller.)
