I have a story I’m attempting to compile. It has 26 chapters and a prologue. Obviously, I want the chapters to say Chapter Number like when I don’t have a prologue. However, I want the prologue to say Prologue at the top and for the chapters to start after. I’m still fairly new to compiling like this and while I understand the basics I’m not an expert by any means. Help?
Thanks,
Magpie
Hi.
I’ll help.
First thing you want to do is to create a new section type that you’ll name “prologue”.
Go to project settings :
This done, select your prologue in the binder, then in the inspector/metadata :
Next, select a normal chapter in the binder, and in the inspector/metadata still, note down what section type it is assigned to. (Don’t change it. Just note it down.)
. . . . . . . .
Before I continue I have to ask if you want your prologue’s page(s) numbered the same as your chapters, or if you want it unnumbered and chapter 1 to begin on a page numbered as being page 1 ? (Or 3 or 5 whatever, what I mean is that the pages’ numbers would be as if the prologue wasn’t in the book at all. – Front matter.)
So far, so good. I would like the prologue numbered the same as the rest of the book, so the prologue’s first page would be page 1.
My folders, which are my chapters, are Section Type Chapter Heading. Inside each folder are the 1 or more scenes that make up that chapter, and their Section Type is Scene.
OK. No front matter, so leave the binder as it is.
Next, pretend that you want to compile.
Then, in the list of compile formats on the left side of the compile panel, double-click the format you use.
If you haven’t edited it yet, you’ll be prompted to duplicate it. Hit “duplicate and edit”.
(I need to know which one it is you are using. So let me know in your next reply.)
You’ll see this :
In the list (top center-right) find the one layout that says “Scene” here :
Find the layout that says “Scene” where my screenshot says “unused”.
Oh, okay. Got it. Found
While it is selected in the list, click the plus sign.
That’ll create a new layout, that is exactly as this one you’ve found.
Name it “prologue layout”.
We’ll then tweak it for your prologue. Title and all.
I need to know which one it was. (I presume it is “chapter” ?)
Okay, have the new Section Layout Created.
The original layout, was it “chapter” ?
You said it should be Scene, at least that’s what I’d understood.
Yes, you understood fine.
But I need the name of the layout in the list at the top.
The name of the one layout that says “Scene” where I pointed my blue arrow.
I just need to confirm it is the one named “Chapter”
There is no wrong answer, here. (Don’t redo/undo anything. Just give me the name.) I just want to make sure my upcoming screenshots will match what you see.
I’m sorry, I honestly don’t understand. There is a Layout called Chapter, but that is separate from Scene or the one I just created. There isn’t anything in faded letters at the bottom like on the image you showed me earlier.
You created that “Scene” section layout earlier?
There is no “Scene” layout in the factory format.
But it is fine. You’ve compiled a version before.
So, I’ll screenshot from the one named “Chapter”, I assume that’s the same or pretty much the same setup as what you currently have.
In the “Prologue layout” layout you’ve created, go to the Title Options tab at the bottom.
Check the box I’ve mark in green (the title for your prologue), and delete what I’ve marked in red.
Oh, right. Yes, I had already created Scene previously. I have done some compiling, but I’m still very new at it and didn’t know how to do a prologue. Okay, changes to Prologue Layout made.
Save that. It’ll quit that panel, but keep the compile panel (the big main one) open.
Click here :
Select “prologue” in the list on the left, and click/assign it to “Prologue layout” on the right.
Click where’s my arrow if your “Prologue” section type doesn’t show in the list on the left. (Although it should.)
Then click ok.
Test compile.
Okay, I have a prologue! Sort of. It doesn’t have a title that says so, but it is showing text before Chapter One.
If you’ve checked the box I marked in green in my previous screenshot,
all that you have to do is name in the binder your prologue with what you want it to come out titled after compile.
It worked, I have a prologue. Thank you SOOOOO much. I really appreciate you taking the time to walk me through this.
Happy writing.
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