I've always used a separate document for each chapter while writing. Not sure why. Just seems easier to me.
Of course, not a pro, so not sure how much my methods really matter.
Yes, it's terribly simple. The good guys are always stalwart and true, the bad guys are easily distinguished by their pointy horns or black hats, and, uh, we always defeat them and save the day. No one ever dies, and everybody lives happily ever after.
Giles ,'Conversations with Dead People'
The Great Write Way, Chapter Two: Twice upon a time...
A place for Buffistas to discuss, beta and otherwise deal and dish on their non-fan fiction projects.
Kalshane - May 10, 2006 7:45:24 am PDT #6666 of 10001
GS: If you had to choose between kicking evil in the head or the behind, which would you choose, and why?
Minsc: I'm not sure I understand the question. I have two feet, do I not? You do not take a small plate when the feast of evil welcomes seconds.
Dana - May 10, 2006 8:00:26 am PDT #6667 of 10001
I'm terrifically busy with my ennui.
Master Document is notoriously buggy.
Of course, long docs in Word are also notoriously buggy.
Allyson - May 10, 2006 8:02:48 am PDT #6668 of 10001
Wait, is this real-world child support, where the money goes to buy food for the kids, or MRA fantasyland child support where the women just buy Ferraris and cocaine? -Jessica
Suggestions, Dana? Or do I just weep?
Dana - May 10, 2006 8:05:29 am PDT #6669 of 10001
I'm terrifically busy with my ennui.
Definitely avoid Master Document. I've never heard anything good about it. I like the idea of keeping chapters in separate documents. You might also have an easier time with long documents (100 pages or more) if you don't have a lot of formatting. The stuff I work with usually has lots of numbered lists and the like, and they have a bad tendency to reset themselves or change numbers spontaneously.
Edit: And, of course, save constantly and back up obsessively.
lisah - May 10, 2006 8:13:10 am PDT #6670 of 10001
Punishingly Intricate
I never use Master Document and I work with 100+ page docs all the time. With my largest doc (300+ pages) I keep it in separate chapters when in draft and then put it in one document at the end and add the table of contents and that's worked out pretty well. I never, ever use automatic numbering (except for page numbers in the footers). That's a recipe for fuckedupedness.
Allyson - May 10, 2006 8:22:44 am PDT #6671 of 10001
Wait, is this real-world child support, where the money goes to buy food for the kids, or MRA fantasyland child support where the women just buy Ferraris and cocaine? -Jessica
I can't believe there isn't a program like what screenplay writers use.
Pix - May 10, 2006 8:24:03 am PDT #6672 of 10001
The status is NOT quo.
I like Master Document when I can remember how to use it.
deborah grabien - May 10, 2006 8:28:19 am PDT #6673 of 10001
It really doesn't matter. It's just an opinion. Don't worry about it. Not worth the hassle.
Of course, long docs in Word are also notoriously buggy.
I've been lucky, but then, there's no graphics or tricky formatting or anything for straight fiction submission format; it's my Word doc default and it's yet to mess with me.
I imagine that a document with graphics, imported text, bullets, footnotes etc would have the potential to be buggy as hell.
Volans - May 10, 2006 8:31:53 am PDT #6674 of 10001
move out and draw fire
I use a separate document for each chapter and then create my own master document. Word's is aw.ful.
This does mean that I have to print and collate manually, but the ToC and index are in the master and they come out right.
deborah grabien - May 10, 2006 8:32:25 am PDT #6675 of 10001
It really doesn't matter. It's just an opinion. Don't worry about it. Not worth the hassle.
BTW, I've got a story - The Gravekeeper, based on "Long Black Veil", in this anthology.
This will likely be the first in a series of these, assuming it sells. Second would likely be Bob Dylan, and that one might have stories by both erika and me.
So here's hoping it sells.