Multiple Narratives

Feature Requests
#1

When will it be possible to have the same item in different narrative folders? I know it’s been discussed before and don’t understand why it hasn’t been implemented yet.

BIG PROBLEM
I have a timeline tracking thousands of events over decades
I cant find a way of organising the events into a simple, easy to read/follow format .

EXAMPLE

  • Writing a thriller novel.
  • There are thousands of events spanning decades so its impossible to see the ‘forrest for the trees’
  • I create a narrative folder for each of the main characters.
  • I add a few key events for each of the characters into their individual narrative folders.
  • Except I cant include any interaction between them because there can only be a single instance of each event/interaction.

TRIED

  • I tried duplicating the event but this became very messy very quickly
  • I tried to DIVIDE THE TIMELINE INTO DIFFERENT STACKED GROUPS except these are far more difficult to view especially with a large timeline because
    (01) They are spread across the entire timeline
    (02) Remain nested inside parents so the parent folder/event is also displayed.
    (03) The stacked groups dont sit as easily/close to each other as narrative folders.
  • I tried using MINDMAP and to create a flowchart but this takes a lot of extra time and needs updating every time you change an event.

SOLUTION

  • Would be to allow multiple instances of the same event.
  • The event could have an icon showing the number of instances for that event.
  • Clicking the icon could highlight those the other instances.
  • There could also be a folder on the left hand sidebar which shows every event that has multiple instances.
#2

Hi Justin,

If I’ve missed the thrust of what you’re trying to do, apologies in advance. I don’t claim to be an “expert” in any of this, just another writer muddling my way through.

You mention that you “create a narrative folder for each of the main characters.” I’m a little perplexed about how you’re using the Narrative view.

I think what raised my eyebrow is that you’re using Narrative folders for each character. Perhaps the more expected approach is to use them for, say, chapters, with the scenes being within the chapters/folders.

I populate my characters in the Characters item. I use the Narrative/Outline views to outline and track the story scenes. Each scene’s characters are added to the scene’s Participants relationship. Thus, the characters of the scene “interact” in a natural, storytelling way, and there is nothing preventing those same characters from interacting together in another scene. If I read your submission correctly, it is this last aspect with which you struggle, perhaps unnecessarily.

I don’t know if it would be helpful, but here is an admittedly unrehearsed and unpolished video I did a while back for a writing group I belong to on how I use AT3 with Scrivener: https://youtu.be/8FR1325pZxI?si=7tSo7nJzm-aHfPqy.