Intertwined stories

[Rexxblayze]

I'm seeking suggestions on improving the organization of my stories. All my stories are really pieces of one huge story.

 

[ScrappyPaperDoodler]

If you mean the actual document management: What writing/file organisation tools do you use?

If you mean narratively: What is the main thing that ties them together? The characters, world, plot...?

 

[Writer61]

My situation is slightly different, but you might find what I do helpful.

All my published stories take place in the same universe. They feature one of two main characters (Adam & Laura) and are organised into series, each covering a different phase of their lives. Still, they are essentially stand-alone episodes rather than part of a single, overarching story. There is some overlap: Laura appears in one episode of an Adam series, and he appears in a couple of hers. I also have another series planned, with a new main character, Ben, in which Adam and Laura make passing appearances.

Behind the scenes:

• I have a flowchart that lays out the series and their connections, which helps when working out what to write next
• I have a folder for each lead character, with subfolders for each series
• I use a letter+number code to keep things in order

 

[Rexxblayze]

I am still using a simple text editor because I have not found a writing/file organisation tool that I like. I've not even found a good text editor. I use txt to voice to determine edits and turn it through Google docs for spelling/grammar. I like using my phone because it's convenient and always available.
All of my story/stories are one world with one set of characters with their actions, interactions, dreams, and tales.

 

[Britva415]

What would you say is "going wrong?" What's the matter with the way things have been going? What would an improvement look like to you?

 

[Bramblethorn]

I find Scrivener helpful for organising large works. It lets me do things like tag which characters and themes appear in each scene so I can go look them up easily afterwards. Bit of a learning curve but well worth it for me.

edit: I doubt it's mobile-friendly though.

 

[ShelbyDawn57]

I am still using a simple text editor because I have not found a writing/file organisation tool that I like. I've not even found a good text editor. I use txt to voice to determine edits and turn it through Google docs for spelling/grammar. I like using my phone because it's convenient and always available.
All of my story/stories are one world with one set of characters with their actions, interactions, dreams, and tales.

It sounds to me like your building anthologies or something similar. I use subfolders in File manager which link to OneDrive for cross computer access. You can also link folders to google docs, I believe, but I'm not an expert at that. Simple and free. It doesn't do complicated cross linking, but I don't need that.

The only person I know for sure that writes on their phone is @EmilyMiller. Perhaps she has some thoughts.

 

[Voyeurkenneth]

I find Scrivener helpful for organising large works. It lets me do things like tag which characters and themes appear in each scene so I can go look them up easily afterwards. Bit of a learning curve but well worth it for me.

I just started playing with Scrivener. I like how it lets you organize scenes around like flashcards.

I like the templates for character pages. And the little note areas off to the side to refer to when typing into the main manuscript.

 

[Rexxblayze]

Is there a similar app for Android? Thought 'wonder what would @EmilyMiller do?'

 

[EmilyMiller]

Is there a similar app for Android? Thought 'wonder what would @EmilyMiller do?'

WWEMD is a thing! And I’m on iOS.

I have several sets of stories set in their own universes, e.g. my college stories, my Angels & Demons stories, etc. With the former, it helps to have at least a tangential connection with reality. With the latter (which also link with @Djmac1031 ’s A&D stories) I don’t have a cheat sheet as such, but I know both my and his characters and their backstories so well that continuity is seldom a problem.

So I use wetware (my eccentrically wired brain) rather than software. Sorry if that’s not very helpful.

 

[Writer61]

I just started playing with Scrivener. I like how it lets you organize scenes around like flashcards.

I like the templates for character pages. And the little note areas off to the side to refer to when typing into the main manuscript.

I must have another go at using Scrivener.

 

[Rexxblayze]

WWEMD is a thing! And I’m on iOS.

I have several sets of stories set in their own universes, e.g. my college stories, my Angels & Demons stories, etc. With the former, it helps to have at least a tangential connection with reality. With the latter (which also link with @Djmac1031 ’s A&D stories) I don’t have a cheat sheet as such, but I know both my and his characters and their backstories so well that continuity is seldom a problem.

So I use wetware (my eccentrically wired brain) rather than software. Sorry if that’s not very helpful.

It is very helpful to my self-confidence. Thank you.