Having used the Outline Builder for a week or so now (writing again, Yay!), I’ve decided it needs some changes. First, it needs a delete button. Don’t know how I missed that one. I’m thinking also the option to hide completed items. A context menu would be helpful, too, as well as the ability to set a default target for double clicking an entry. This last would mean that you could have a double click send the entry to whichever of the four options (new chapter, new scene, synopsis or body) you liked.
Is there anything about the Outline Builder that you feel is missing, or that you would like to work differently? No guarantees, of course, that I’ll be able to accommodate everyone’s wishes, but I don’t want to miss something obvious again, like the ability to delete an entry.
I’m not quite sure I understand the function of the outline builder. The name gives me the impression it’s to create an outline for the manuscript, right? I’m not sure I’m using it right. It looks like a list, kind of like the to do list, but instead of completed tasks there’s the used check box.
I’m loving the check boxes. I can see myself using it to check off the scenes/chapters as I complete them. I’m wondering if it can be formatted to look more like an outline with parent classes, similar to the file drawer.
Chapter 1 []
Scene 1 []
Scene 2 []
Chapter 2 []
With the brackets being the check boxes. And the labels whatever the writer decides (like it is now).
I really like the integrations you’re considering with being able to click the entry to a Chapter, Scene, etc. Is it possible to use the labels already in the file drawer to create an outline like export it over? StoryBox already includes an outline for the stories, which I love. Just doesn’t have the check box.
Anyway, I feel like I’m missing something with the Outline Builder, like I don’t have an understanding of its true purpose.
On a side note. I’ve noticed using the import button with the Outline Builder adds a Chapter/Scene to the File Drawer but doesn’t transfer the name, just puts the generic label “Chapter 8” or “Scene 7.” Not sure that’s the way it’s meant to work or not.
Good to hear you’re working on your novel again. NaNoWriMo 2010 is just around the corner. Seems like the 2009 event just ended.
Looking at the post, I see the formatting didn’t come out right.
Chapter 1 []
///Scene 1 []
///Scene 2 []
Chapter 2 []
The /// count as white space
It’s meant to be a quick way to create outline chunks and insert them into your project in the manner that you wish. For instance, if you’re the type of person that likes to outline your chapters, you could go and create a bunch of chapters, then click the story node and edit the synopsis of each chapter there, or, you can use the outline builder and create bunch of entries, then select them and add them as chapters. It’s not intended to be an actual outline on it’s own.
I won’t be able to add indents to it for the foreseeable future. The control itself doesn’t support it, and the other options I’ve tried for doing indenting (in the outline mode) have had other issues that made those options unworkable. Ease of input in the builder is far more important, I think.
The outline view on a document is just a view of the titles and synopses of that documents children. So if you already have documents in the file drawer, you can open a document, then select the item in the builder and click “Document Synopsis” in the insert menu of the builder and it will be put in the synopsis, and you will see it in the outline view of the parent document.
The reason it sets generic names is because it’s putting the text in the synopsis of the new document. I hadn’t thought of it being used to add titles with chapter or scene names…
As for my novel, NaNo 2009 hasn’t ended for me yet 🙂 I’m still working on that one – but it’s twice as long as it was a week ago, which makes me super excited. I’ve been very diligent in my commitment to work on my writing this week, which was the reason I created StoryBox in the first place. 13000 words so far, and just about to start on today’s work.