Help for the technically challenged by desertgirl

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Help for the technically challenged

POSTED BY: DESERTGIRL
UPDATED: Saturday, January 27, 2007 21:21
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Saturday, January 27, 2007 9:57 AM

I am sorry to admit to a bunch of SciFi geeks such as myself that I am fairly technologically illiterate. But I am here asking for some help. HELP!

First – I am writing a multi chapter fan fic. This is the largest thing I have ever endeavored. I think it is really great when folks include links to their other chapters. How do I insert such a link? Keep in mind I do not even know how to insert a link in an email. And in future chapters how do I go back and insert a link into the past chapters that I have already posted?

Second – I seem to remember seeing (like last summer) a thread listing people who would be willing to beta read. I have searched for the thread but cannot find it. Is there a way to search threads for key words. Google did not pick up any when I tried it.

Third – We are finally going to bite the bullet and pay for high speed internet. Believe it or not some people still do use dial up. But not for long, Yeah! Anyway I will be getting a new email address, which means my log–in will change. But I really do not want to loose my screen name, persona, already posted stories etc. Can I change my email and log in and keep my profile??????

Also – just an opinion needed here – Is it easier to wait till a huge fan fic is all written and then post a bit at a time, or post as the chapters are complete? I keep thinking I should wait incase the story shifts and I need to go back and add something, but the prospect of lots of shiny comments is luring me to post as I go.

Thanks for the help - Desert Girl

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Saturday, January 27, 2007 10:57 AM

DONCOAT

As far as your email change goes, that should be no problem. On the main page of this site, click "MY FIREFLY" and "EDIT PROFILE". You should be able to change your email address there. I don't know if that will affect your login. If it doesn't, just keep using the old addy when you log in.

Not sure about the links to other chapters. As far as I know, all you need to do to create a link is type it into the text; the board figures out that it's a link. To link to a previous page, first go to the page you want to link to, highlight the URL in your browser, and copy it (right-click, Copy). Then go to the text of the page you want to put the link in (before you actually post it) and paste the link (Ctrl-V or right click, Paste). Then post the new page with the link in it. To do a forward link, you need to be able to edit your existing post. Not sure if that works in the BSR. If it does, follow the same procedure as above, then edit the page where you want the link and paste it in.

I haven't written a multi-chapter fic so I can't say which way would work better. My personal preference would probably be to write it all and do all the editing before starting to post. But that's up to you, really.

My one and only Firefly fic can be found via my personal page (click on my name in this post), in case you'd like to check it out.

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I'm pointin' right at it!

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Saturday, January 27, 2007 11:47 AM

NEWOLDBROWNCOAT

I write shorter stuff, and, as I read for recreation, that's what I read, so I'd say post it a chapter at a time.

But ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

Write whatever is in you, and post it how you will.

Doncoat, BTW, I read your piece just now and loved it. dunno how I missed it before.

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Saturday, January 27, 2007 12:34 PM

MAL4PREZ

First...
The Handy Fic Formatting Guide shows how to link chapters, and other html tidbits. If you need any help, PM me!

http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=12&t=23872

Second –
http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=2&t=20967

Third – Doncoat seems to have handled that!

My way is to finish writing the fic before I post for the reasons you state. I need the freedom to go back and adjust things, because the story tends to shift, and I want things to be tight!

As a reader, I also prefer it when writers finish up before they post. Stories tend to lose coherency, or - worse - never get finished when the writer starts before they know how it's going to end. But that's just me, and I'm super picky!

But... I have certainly been known to give in to the need for feedback. It's hard not to! Beta readers help with that - I've been working on my current fic since last summer, and I'd never have this much patience if I wasn't getting feedback from them! Even though it's mostly critical, it helps!

As Newoldbrowncoat says, do it however works for you!

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I'm the president. I don't need to listen.

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Saturday, January 27, 2007 9:21 PM

DESERTGIRL

Thank you so much for the links and the hints. You are awesome. They will be just what I need. I think I will try and add a link to a past story so I can figure out how it is done. My eyes sort of glaze over when I read the directions, but I think I can figure it out.

I am glad to hear that changing my profile will be so easy. And it is awesome to have a whole host of beta readers.

I am leaning on waiting to post till I am done, or close to done, we shall see. I have been doing a lot of writing while I sit with my grandma, who is in the hospital. Today I read her my first two chapters. When I got to the end of what I had written, she said “don’t stop now, your just getting to the good part.” One shiny comment to tide me over till I post. She doesn’t know who the president is, but she wants to know what is going to happen to our BDH’s. Gotta lover her.

Thanks again – Heidi

Now If I could just figure out how to insert one of these silly emoticons that are smilling at me just left of where I am typing.

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