Pocket Writing

Recently, one of my friends introduced me to this wonderful little game for the Android (and iPhone) called Pocket Frogs. The point of the game is to collect all the different species of frogs by buying, trading, and breeding them. It has taught me quite a few things about writing.

Cut what is not needed. In Pocket Frogs, you are allowed eight habitats (16 if you're on the iPhone) which you have to buy throughout the game. Each habitat can only hold eight frogs. You don't have room to keep every single frog. You must sell all doubles and any frog you don't need for breeding. And don't worry, you can always clone that frog from your Froggydex if you need it later.

Setting is important. You can find, buy, and win backgrounds for your habitats. These are mostly just to make them look pretty. However, there is what is called scenery. Scenery is items that go in your habitat and make your frogs happier. Happy frogs are more valuable frogs and more valuable frogs get you more money.

Combining two stories can make a stronger story. Sometimes you have two frogs and each has a quality that you need for your collection or breeding stock. However, you don't need any of the other aspects of the two frogs. What do you do? Breed them and make a frog that has all the qualities you want with the added bonus of, after selling those two frogs, more space.

One original aspect can mean everything. There are 53 patterns you can see on a frog (slightly less if you have an Android). This matched with the 23 base colors and 16 patterns colors provides for a lot of frogs. However, though two frogs may have the same pattern, they could look completely different. Color is what makes one stand out over the other.

Patience is a good thing to have. Pocket Frogs is partially a time-oriented game. You have to wait for things to arrive in your mailbox. You have to wait for frogs to hatch and grow. Depending on the frog or item, it could take up to two days. In video game time, that's forever.

Writing friends are a must. If you are playing on an iPhone, you have the option to trade frogs and items with your friends. Do it. It helps you, it helps them. Life is much harder without the help of your buddies. Trust me. I know. I'm the one playing on an Android.

*Learn more about Pocket Frogs here and here.
**All images found through Google.