( CNN ) -- The author of the Sookie Stackhouse series of supernatural thrillers and inspiration for HBO 's popular drama `` True Blood , '' Charlaine Harris , is putting her eye for suspense toward an equally arresting subject : Video games . Produced for iPlay , the fruit of her labor , downloadable PC puzzler `` Dying for Daylight , '' features an original tale starring Dahlia , a wisecracking , fashion-forward vampire hunting for a potion that lets vampires survive in sunlight . A hidden-object game designed for casual play by both women and men , it aims to bridge the gap between paperback readers and gaming fans , leveraging Harris ' gift for crafting clever characters and scenarios . Now that she has contributed to one of a growing range of collaborations between the gaming and publishing industries , we asked Harris why critics have n't written the final word on interactive entertainment 's potential to craft compelling narratives yet . CNN : How do video games compare to books and TV as a storytelling medium ? Harris : Video games are visual like TV , but involve a certain amount of comprehension that TV often does n't . It 's a refreshing change from both books and TV , I find . CNN : What key differences are involved in writing for passive and interactive formats , e.g . novels vs. games ? Harris : For me , writing books is about the progression of the characters as they change to meet circumstances on their way to the climax of the book . Games seem to have a more clearly cut goal and to require little change on the part of the character you 're maneuvering through the stages of the game . Since I have discovered I 'm really linear , the one step forward , one step back structure of games was at first very frustrating ; you do n't keep going forward but are having to go back to get this item or that item . Perhaps it 's more like real life in that respect ! CNN : Many authors , such as Stephen King , Harlan Ellison , Michael Crichton and James Patterson have dabbled with gaming in the past . Will we see more embracing the format going forward ? Harris : I 'm sure more will , simply because it 's another way to publicize your books , after all . And it 's a fresh and fun market for many writers ; the chance to do something different is always interesting . CNN : Digital seems to be the watchword for authors these days . Do you believe games and interactive fiction , like Kindle Singles , eBooks and other virtual platforms , may someday reinvent publishing ? Harris : I 'm certain digital will permanently alter the publishing industry . I hope that books will not completely go by the wayside , but I fear they will . I love to hold a book in my hands , but I ca n't deny it 's much more convenient and green to have all my books on one device and to be able to take that device with me when I travel , instead of bulky and heavy books . For that time alone , eBooks are worth it . And the same thinking applies to all the other uses . Portable is the way the world is going . CNN : Knowing this , are games becoming a better medium both artistically and commercially than typical channels such as books , essays and short stories for writers to make their mark ? Harris : No , not yet . Short stories put your name in the path of the reading public , and therefore publishers . Publishers will take you much more seriously if you 've had several short stories in reputable markets like magazines or anthologies . I do n't know how much credence they 'd put in a book proposal by a writer who 'd written games , but I 'm willing to believe that is mounting . I think any way you can get published is good though , as long as you 're getting paid for it . I do n't know if games have the power to create a career , but they certainly could add to one . CNN : What do titles like `` Dying for Daylight '' allow you to do that you could never accomplish with print media ? Harris : I 'm hoping that people who enjoy playing the game will decide to read my books , naturally . This is a chance to reach out to a whole new audience . Also , it 's simply fun for me . CNN : How do you foresee the worlds of literature and gaming continuing to collide in the future ? Harris : I 'm sure that mystery , with its defined structure and clear goal , is a great genre for gaming . Science fiction , with its `` quest '' structure , also adapts well . I think more and more of the big names in those genres will come to the adventure of gaming with good ideas and I look forward to seeing that .
`` Video games are visual like TV , '' author says . `` Dying for Daylight '' features an original tale starring a fashion-forward vampire . Author : `` I 'm hoping that people who enjoy playing the game will decide to read my books ''