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Problem with Chapters

15 years ago
Greetings all.

I like organizing my story in Chapters, though that word implies a linear progression in the story. My problem is moving from one Chapter to another.

In the spatial arrangement of my story, chapters are not sequential. One chapter may be "next" to two or even more chapters. So when the character moves out of one of those chapters, she could find herself at the next chapter's starting page that could be some "distance" from where she started at the previous page. Does this make sense?
It's like this (each number is its own chapter):

2 4
2 4
2z 4z
(1111111111111111y111111x)(3a333333b33333)

I hope these numbers are in proper alignment.

Moving from chapter 2z to 1y in Chapter 2 makes sense. But if 1x is the starting page, then that location will not make sense unless moving from Chapter 3a. Using page 1y as the starting point will be a problem from moving from chapter 3 to chapter 1. Adding chapter 4 creates its own problem. Moving from 4z to 3a could be strange.


As I write this, one possible solution came to mind. I could have a special starting page for each chapter that has links to pages that allows the character to continue the story in some logical manner.

I WISH that we could select any page in a Chapter as a link to or from any page in another Chapter. I find it odd that we cannot.

One more thing. Is there any way to delete a "Chapter" but keep all of its pages, putting them in a different chapter?

Thanks.

Chuck

Problem with Chapters

15 years ago
The numbers did not line up as I hoped. Think of the column of 2s directly over 1y, the column of 4s directly over 3b.

Thanks.

Chuck

Problem with Chapters

15 years ago
Replying again to my own post.

I don't think I can use chapters in a story that involves moving about along compass points. For example, the starting point for chapter 1 HAS to be the beginning of the story. So if my character is in a different chapter and needs to "move" back to a page in Chapter 1, then she will find herself at the very beginning of that chapter.

Apparently, there is no way to avoid this (perhaps in a script? I'll look into that). The several pages I wrote for Chapter 2 may have to be deleted if I have to abandon all chapters except for the first. (sigh)

Chuck

Problem with Chapters

15 years ago
Greetings all.

Gads, a thread all to myself. Did some experimenting. Simple solution (not so simple to determine).

Use the following script in the link (the := symbol):

$DEST := @P5

...to go to a page in another chapter. Substitute your page # for the number 5 I used in the script. Apparently, the script has priority over the "Destination" for the link.

The number you are looking for is in brackets before the title of the page list for the chapter. Problem solved.

I want to learn how to use scripts to their fullest capacity. The articles on scripting are helpful and absolutely necessary to figure them out... but I wish they were more complete with clear examples.

Chuck

Problem with Chapters

15 years ago
So glad I read your replies instead of commenting after the first one. Scripting is indeed the solution to your problem, I'm glad you figured it out. I applaud your ingenuity. Hopefully next time, someone gets to answering your question before you have to answer it yourself.

Good luck in your writing!

3J

Problem with Chapters

15 years ago
Thanks for responding 3J. Nice to see someone active here. I will certainly have questions for you on scripting.

Chuck