12.1 Introduction

Each item you prepare in oStorybook is saved to a file; these files are actually a database. By convention the term used in this manual to designate these elements is a component, but in the case of a database the real term to be used would be "object". Now it happens that in oStorybook you can define objects, so to avoid confusion the term "component" has been chosen.

What follows in this chapter is the description of each component. These descriptions include an enumeration of the different information in the following form:

• Name: summary description of the data, type (length)

Type: one of the following: number, date, link (internal), label, text, color

Length: The maximum length of the data. When it is a number the length is not indicated, the value is between 1 and 2³¹-1.

12.2 Thread

A thread is the structure of the story from a particular viewpoint. This method unites distinct parts of the narrative according to a particular aspect. For example, you can describe a scene several times by changing the viewpoint.

• Name: the name of the thread, label (255)
• Abbreviation: free text, label (255)
• Color: code of the associated color, color
• Order: order of appearance, number

There is always a default thread that cannot be deleted. It is possible to have as many threads as you want. A scene may be attached to multiple threads.

12.3 Part

If the book is important it will be best to divide it into several parts. You can then work more easily on each one.

• Number: number of the part which makes it possible to order it in relation to the others, number
• Name: the name of the part, text (255)
• Link: in the case of a structure in parts and sub-parts, link
• Date of creation: date of creation of the work, date
• Target date: target date for completion, date
• Size target: target set for number of characters, number
• Notes: text (32768)

You must have at least one part in your oStorybook file. The number of parts is not limited. In principal you always attach at least one chapter to a part.

The creation date, the target date and the size target will allow you to follow the progress of your work, see chapter "14.8 Planning".

12.4 Chapter

A chapter is the logical grouping element for scenes.

• Part: part to which the chapter is linked, link
• Number: chapter number, number
• Title: title of chapter, text (255)
• Date of creation, target date, size target: information required for follow-up, see chapter "14.8 Planning"
• Description: description or summary of the chapter, text (32768)

In the Chapter Editor window the following information is located in a dedicated tab:

• notes : text (32768)

The number of chapters is not limited. In case of reorganization of the chapters the number is modified automatically.

12.5 Scene

This is the basic component of the book.

• Title: scene name, label (2048)
• Thread: main thread to which the scene is attached, link
• Chapter: chapter to which the scene is linked, link
• Number: scene number, number
• Status: status of the scene in the writing process, one of the following values:
  • main line
  • draft copy
  • 1st edition
  • 2nd edition
  • done
• Scene dating information using one of the following options:
  • Without date: no date assigned
  • Fixed date: absolute date of the scene
  • Relative: relative date with indication of offset from the reference scene
• Threads: other possible threads to which the scene is linked

In the dialog window of a scene (creation or modification) the following information is in dedicated tabs:

• Abstract: summary or text of the scene, text (32768)
• Characters: characters appearing in the scene, links
• Locations: where the scene takes place, links
• Objects: special objects used in the scene, link
• Notes: text (32768)

To decide the title of a scene see chapter "17 Tips and tricks", especially the chapter "17.1 Chapter and sub-chapter", and for the dating of the scene see the chapter "17.4 Chronology"..

12.6 Characters

• First name / surname: first name of the character or nickname, text (255)
• Name: name of the character, text (255)
• Abbreviation: short word designating the character, text (255)
• Gender: character gender, link
• Category: character category, link
• Date of birth
• Date of death
• Profession: occupation or occupation of the character, text (255)
• Color: color code representing the character, color

In the Character dialog box the following information is in dedicated tabs:

• Attributes: significant attributes of the character, link
• Description : description of the character, text (32768)
• Notes : text (32768)

Note: the graphic representation of the character uses the icon associated with the gender.

12.7 Gender

Defines the gender of the character. There are two initial genders: masculine and feminine. It is possible to define additional genders (animal, plant, extraterrestrial species, etc ...).

• Icon file: icon to be associated with the gender, label (1024)
• Gender: title of the genus, text (255)
• Childhood: maximum age of childhood, number
• Adolescence: maximum age of adolescence, number
• Adult: maximum age of the adult period, number
• Retirement age: minimum retirement age, number of

Note:

The icon file must be in PNG format and have a size of 64x64. It is strongly recommended to group all images and/or icons into a dedicated subfolder located in the folder where your book is saved.

The ages shown are not mandatory, you can leave the initial values. This information is no longer used.

12.8 Category of characters

Defines the category of the characters. There are two initial categories: main character and secondary character. One category can be linked to another, creating a set of categories and sub-categories.

• Name: name of the category, text (255)
• Order: sort order in the category, number
• Category: related category, link

12.9 Relation

The Relation component makes it possible to link characters, places and objects logically. Initially the Relation was meant to link two characters such as Character 1 and Character 2; this component was then extended to link other components.

• description : description of the relationship, text (255)
• Character 1: character from which the relationship is built, link
• Character 2: character object of the relationship, link
• Scope of the composite relationship of the elements:
  • Start scene: scene from which the relationship is established, links
  • End scene: scene up to which the relationship continues, link

In the Relationship dialog window, the following information is in dedicated tabs:

• Characters: linked characters, link
• Locations: related locations, link
• Objects: related objects, link
• Notes: text (32768)

The scope of the relationship is not mandatory. here is no limit to the number of relationships.

To establish a relation "father - son" one should define a relation "is the father of". Note that the inverse relationship is never calculated automatically. If one wishes also to have this inverse relationship it is necessary to establish another relation "is the son of".

One can establish a relationship between a character and several others, or/and locations, or/and objects. Thus the relationship "father of" will establish a multiple relationship between a character, the father, and several others, his children. It should be noted that in this case the information "character 1" and/or "character 2" can be left vacant, see several examples of relationships in the file "Le Medecin malgre lui".

12.10 Location

The definition of a location makes it possible to describe a place where an action takes place.

• Name: designation of location, text (255)
• Address: this is the address of the location, text (255)
• City: the town where the address is located, text (255)
• Country: country where the city is located, text (255)
• Site: the name of another related place, text (255)
• Altitude: altitude of the place, number
• Description: text (32768)

In the Object dialog box, the following information is in a dedicated tab:

• Notes : text (32768)

12.11 Object

Allows you to define specific objects that are part of the action. In the case of a play, for example, this component will be useful to establish the list of accessories (props).

• Name: designation of the object, text (255)
• Icon file: to customize the appearance of the object, label (255)
• Category: possible category of the object, text (255)
• Description: text (32768)

In the Object dialog box, the following information is in a dedicated tab:

• notes : text (32768)

Note:

Note: The category is a label, but it is presented as a drop-down list so that you can select an existing category. To create a new category, simply enter its label.

Object assignment is another way to link an object to a character. This assignment is strictly limited to an object - character - place.

The icon file must be in PNG format and have a size of 64x64. It is strongly recommended to group all images and/or icons into a dedicated subfolder located in the folder where your book is saved.

Object assignment is another way to link an object to a character. This assignment is strictly limited to an object - character - location.

12.12 Label

The label has the same information as the object.

12.13 Idea

The entry for Idea is simple text such as can be used with a notepad.

• Status: state of development of the Idea, like the status of a scene, with the additional option "abandoned".
• Category: as for the category of an object or a label
• Notes: text describing the idea, text (32768)

12.14 Memo

The Memo is similar to the Idea, Status and Category.

• Name: name of the Memo, label (255)
• Notes : text (32768)

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