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.

#3

Hi Steve

Rather than using narratives to write chapters, I would first like to write complete histories for each character first. Then I can include the same entry when characters paths cross.

I tried using Timeline View and creating different stack/groups but its difficult to view each characters history this way because they are spread across the timeline. When using Narrative View the events can be stacked neatly on top of each other.

For example - the following could be created by placing events into narrative folders for each character. When changing a common event, it’s automatically updated for the other characters. You cant view all these events as succinctly using Timeline View

Bob
Bob comes from a rich family
Bob goes to a fancy school
Bob and Pete are classmates
Bob graduates and immediately begins to travel
Bob meets a girl while in Italy called Mary
Bob and Mary fall in love and decide to travel together
Pete kills Bob in a jealous rage and takes his Rolex (Bob doesnt recognise Pete)

Pete
Pete comes from a poor family
Pete gets a scholarship to a fancy school
Bob and Pete are classmates
Pete graduates
Pete has a brief relationship with Mary
Pete works very hard for a before saving enough for a holiday
While on holiday he recognises his old classmate Bob and his old neighbour Mary
Pete and Mark have a quickie while Bob isnt looking
Pete was always jealous of Bobs money and now he has Mary
Pete kills Bob in a jealous rage and takes his Rolex (Bob doesnt recognise Pete)

Mary
Mary comes from a poor family
Mary is Petes neighbour
Pete has a brief relationship with Mary
Mary goes to Italy to study
Mary meets a boy called Bob
Bob and Mary fall in love and decide to travel together
While traveling she sees her old neighbour Pete
Pete and Mary have a quickie when Bob isnt looking
Mary returns to Bob because he has money
Mary finds Bob murdered one day.
The police tell Mary they believe it was a homeless person who wanted Bobs Rolex