To investigate interactive storytelling I have compared views on purpose, language, characters, conflicts and structure in both role-playing books and writing manuals – all used in Sweden today. I found both similarities and differences between the two. The role-playing books capitalized collaboration and challenges, and were not occupied with commercialism, while the writing manuals placed a larger importance in wording, and advocated for realistic, everyday conflicts. However, they largely agreed when it came entertainment, dramaturgy and characters. In conclusion, interactive stories both divert from and resemble traditional storytelling.