Because of Dwarf Fortress, I've actually had semi-serious conversations with my father (45+ year mechanical engineer vet)--and
over a computer game, too. He even actually
listens, sometimes!
DF: It's not AutoCad, but when I proudly explained my latest minor engineering project,
he actually got it, while my video-game-loving mother looked kinda blank. Maybe I'll ask him about defensive strategy next...
I was told to write a story today... and I had an irresistable urge to write the whole thing in announcements messages...
I actually did this. The teacher praised me for "letting the reader imagine the story themselves."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epistolary_novel It'd fall under this, sorta, I think. Totally valid literary format, if falling only behind second-person as one of my least-fav things in fiction... It's not a beginner's format, though people seem to think it is: you have to make at least two unreliable first-person narrators, through only their own contrived prose, interesting characters, and somehow skivvy in a plot as well. Using DF announcements as a basis is probably a better jumping-off point than a college lit class, fo' sho. ("Urist McTreeChopper is attacked by goblins. Urist McTreeChopper's baby is stolen by goblins. Urist McTreeChopper lies limbless in the field for a few months. Urist McTreeChopper is happy to have been rescued and had time to recuperate. Urist McTreeChopper's kitten is slain by goblins. Urist McTreeChopper becomes Urist McAxecrazy.")