Narrative Designer & Story Writer

Jessaca Willis

I’m a narrative designer and author with over a decade of experience crafting gothic and dark fantasy stories centered on emotionally complex characters, morally gray relationships, and worlds shaped by trauma, power, and transformation.

My work blends deep character psychology, intricate worldbuilding, and player-forward storytelling, drawing inspiration from narrative-rich games like Dark Souls III, Majora’s Mask, Senua’s Sacrifice, Fable, and Cult of the Lamb, as well as roguelikes and action-driven titles like Hades and Dead Cells, where emergent gameplay and progression shape the player's emotional journey. I'm especially drawn to creating stories where players' choices matter, emotional stakes evolve through gameplay, and characters grow alongside the player's journey.

What I Do

I specialize in narrative work that bridges emotional storytelling and interactive design, with a focus on:

Character-driven narrative design rooted in trauma-informed storytelling
Gothic and dark fantasy worldbuilding with interconnected lore and mythologies
World shaped by catastrophe, history, and consequences
Strong female protagonists and morally complex relationships
Branching dialogue and player choice that shapes emotional outcomes
Tone-driven storytelling that balances melancholy, wonder, and resilience
Translating high-level narrative concepts into implementable game content

Game & Media Influences

My narrative sensibilities are shaped by games and stories that prioritize atmosphere, emotional depth, and player interpretation, including:

Dark Souls III — environmental storytelling and restraint
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask — symbolic narrative and existential stakes
Senua’s Sacrifice — deeply character-driven mythic tragedy
Fable — moral choice and tonal balance
Dead Cells — gameplay-forward narrative texture
Cult of the Lamb —
Pokémon — creature-driven emotional bonds and world discovery

I’m particularly interested in how narrative and mechanics reinforce each other to create meaning, empathy, and immersion.

Experience Highlights

Narrative & Game Writing

Narrative Writer (Contract) — Interactive fiction and mobile narrative platforms
Writing branching dialogue, player choice, character arcs, and event text
Experience with Twine-style tools and Ink/Inky for conditional narrative logic
Comfortable adapting to proprietary engines and fast iteration cycles

Long-Form Storytelling & Worldbuilding

Author of eleven published fantasy and gothic romantasy novels
Creator of interconnected worlds featuring political upheaval, mythic systems, and emotionally driven character arcs
Extensive experience sustaining tone, lore, and character growth across multi-book series

Interactive & Experiential Story Design

Designed and facilitated immersive narrative experiences (escape rooms, mystery-based events)
Focus on clue design, emotional pacing, and player engagement

Narrative Writing Sample (PDF / Google Doc) here.
Full resume available upon request.

I’m especially interested in narrative-heavy RPGs, fantasy worlds, emotionally resonant games, and projects that explore identity, resilience, and transformation through play.