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Post by sb on Dec 11, 2010 12:51:26 GMT -5
Have to add one more thing that complicates the process.
Sessions can't be read, or shouldn't be read, without reading the sidestories in the right order. I agonize over the table of contents, putting things in the right order. I can't group Sessions separately without including the other pieces.
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Post by thelunarfox on Dec 11, 2010 12:57:54 GMT -5
Oh, you'll love me for this suggestion, but another thing that can be done regarding the order is to include links to the next chapter within the story. The chapter guide is great, but it might also help to have the links added in at the bottom of the entries. *winces at that suggestion*
It's just easier to create a flow. I actually do that now at the bottom of all the older entries. I went back and linked them, and now when I update, I go back an entry and add in the links at the same time I update the chapter guide.
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Post by drew on Dec 11, 2010 12:59:56 GMT -5
Since you are looking for input, have you and Gayl considered merging some or all of the blogs? I did it with my vampire one, and used google pages to make a table of contents. You can break or bunch your sections there. JMO.
And I can see where it would be hard to insert a break since your characters don't age in a linear way to merit a shift in time. But a major event like Cooper's marriage imploding would be a good place to do it. Or the new band.
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Post by sb on Dec 11, 2010 13:03:47 GMT -5
Lunar, I have actually considered doing that. It's a lot of work, but it would make it easier to follow. Asking people to jump back and forth to that table of contents is a pain, not only for them but for me. I'm constantly updating that thing and it has pages and links all over the place. It's an afternoon's work, but probably a very good idea.
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Post by sb on Dec 11, 2010 13:06:42 GMT -5
Drew, it is a good idea, but I don't think it's feasible to merge them. The picture formats are all different. One blog could not accommodate both the very small old pics and the Stage pics which are huge and the most recent ones. It would look horrible and it would drive me insane figuring out how to do it. I don't know how to fix all those thousands of pics without going through one chapter at a time. SCREAM...
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Post by laura on Dec 11, 2010 13:17:53 GMT -5
I think the way you've ordered your table of contents, with both the main stories and sidestories together is perfect! And probably the only way you could do it. It was easy enough for me to follow just by opening links in a new tab. There's no reason you would have to group your "seasons" by time. If you think of them like TV show "seasons" those aren't grouped by time, but just by natural breaks in the story. I don't think you need to give up the name Sessions either, I was just wondering what you were planning for it
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Post by drew on Dec 11, 2010 13:18:17 GMT -5
Drew, it is a good idea, but I don't think it's feasible to merge them. The picture formats are all different. One blog could not accommodate both the very small old pics and the Stage pics which are huge and the most recent ones. It would look horrible and it would drive me insane figuring out how to do it. I don't know how to fix all those thousands of pics without going through one chapter at a time. SCREAM... Oh God, that's right, I forgot, I DID have to change all the Dracula Diaries shots to downsize them. Chapter by bloody chapter. Yeah, major pain. It was 18 chapters. Oh well...LOL!
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Post by sb on Dec 11, 2010 13:32:24 GMT -5
Laura, that's a good point. The seasons aren't necessarily weather seasons. I've just been chatting with Gayl (while she struggles with a lot that keeps crashing). Maybe Studio Time or something like that will work (her idea). I might have to organize them into larger groups by story transition and then into smaller groups under that, maybe just by number. Like 5 to a group. I'll still have to organize them by storyline instead of simply by story since they intersect.
We don't know if we'll keep the overall title Sessions (I'd like to keep it). We've got several major events planned we're trying to write towards, while trying to keep it slow and cover the smaller events that much such a big difference. You are one of my major inspirations -- don't want to give up focusing on the children and the other characters who will eventually have an impact. Losing that now will mean an overall loss.
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Post by sb on Dec 11, 2010 13:33:19 GMT -5
Drew, yes. MAJOR PAIN. Plus the older pics don't look very good when they are resized. Tried it... Gayl's look fine but mine look awful.
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Post by sb on Dec 11, 2010 17:12:32 GMT -5
organizing...putting everything into blocks that sort of make sense and linking all the different substories together with a Next Chapter link.
I have to say that some of the Next Chapter links result in some pretty bizarre connections. The substories aren't meant to merge that perfectly with each other, but it's kind of interesting to see what happens when I do connect them.
Haven't started on the older work yet but I'll link them up too.
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Post by thelunarfox on Dec 11, 2010 19:16:08 GMT -5
There could be a couple other options. Like you could put both links to the side story and links to the next chapter at the bottom of the chapter.
Or you could link at the beginning of a chapter and put a note that says some part comes before this chapter and it's be helpful to read this chapter first.
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Post by sb on Dec 11, 2010 19:44:54 GMT -5
Lunar, what if I put a link at the top of the blog that says this is the link to the chapters for the sidestory? I already have them linked in pages. I'd be really confused if I read something that had two different links.
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Post by thelunarfox on Dec 11, 2010 19:58:48 GMT -5
Illandrya, that's reading like a choose your own adventure book, lol. Not that that's bad!
I don't see why not, SB. You could also try making a page as the chapter index for the side stories and then linking to that page. Sort of like what I do for my intermissions.
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Post by sb on Dec 11, 2010 20:57:48 GMT -5
Lunar, I have pages for each substory and I have linked them or I have tried to link them on each blog. And...using your idea Illandrya, including a little bit of info, but the page thing doesn't let me do that. It is just a link list. There is no way to put an intro into a page list. think I found a way to do it... SessionsPassages
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somuchsong
Full Member
...certainement disaster
Posts: 197
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Post by somuchsong on Dec 11, 2010 23:24:33 GMT -5
As someone who got caught up relatively recently, I'll say that I didn't find it too much of a trial clicking back to the Table of Contents. Just one click of the back button and there I was, ready to click onto the next chapter.
The way you have it now is even easier though - perfect!
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Post by sb on Dec 11, 2010 23:50:06 GMT -5
Carla, thank you! We are both stunned and delighted and thrilled whenever anyone finds our work and reads it. I really appreciate the feedback.
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Post by sb on Dec 13, 2010 14:11:49 GMT -5
Muzegoddess, thank you!!
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Post by qui on Dec 13, 2010 16:16:33 GMT -5
Duff seems really interesting! I think the both of you did a great job explaining his character because it fits with the visual! He looks like the "can't be tamed" type.
I have a feeling I'm going to love Shooter!
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Post by sb on Dec 13, 2010 16:26:05 GMT -5
Qui LOL! Duff is more like can't be anything but an ass...
Gayl and I both adore Shooter! I think his personality came out in that WW thing we did. Hope so. He's a sweetie.
thank you so much for all your support. Both of us really appreciate it.
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Post by qui on Dec 13, 2010 17:00:12 GMT -5
and it's always those who harbor that "can't be anything but an ass" mentality that all the women seem to fall for but can never break him! Funny how that works because they always crumble when they meet that one woman with the same view on relationships!
No, thank the both of you for helping me escape these four walls made up of Criminal Justice finals! lol
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