To Go or Stay

By Victoria Gao

“To Go or Stay” uses drawings and images to describe an apocalyptic world suffering from climate change. The people in that society have to choose to stay on or leave Earth as disasters affect different parts of the U.S. This choice will affect how they can contribute to society and improve the environment.

Process

I was first introduced to interactive web storytelling at Girls Write Now’s orientation at the N-Y Historical Society. Using Google Sites, I created an interactive website that allows users to make choices. Images and drawings were edited with Canva and uploaded to Google Sites to tell the story like a graphic novel.

Meet the Pair

Mentee Victoria Gao & Mentor Soyolmaa Lkhagvadorj

Victoria’s Anecdote: Throughout this school year, Soyolmaa and I have experimented with genres like science fiction, journalism, and erasure poetry. It was exciting to combine elements from different genres into a fictional short story about climate change leading to the destruction of the world. Editing with Soyolmaa is always an eye-opening experience when we add in clarifying details and cut redundant phrases. A memorable moment was editing a rough draft with erasure poetry to home in on key ideas.

Soyolmaa’s Anecdote: Victoria is truly the hardest-working sixteen-year-old I’ve ever met. I have no idea how she juggles schoolwork, extracurricular activities, hobbies, and writing! She inspires me to make the most out of my day (and planner). It’s been a pleasure getting to know her over the past year and watching her grow more comfortable with her writing. I was so excited when she told me she wanted to incorporate her interests in both coding and advocating for climate change into her story. I can’t wait to see her writing develop even more in the future!