: Re: Character Relationship Mapping Software I'm attempting to lay some groundwork for a story that I've been working on in various aspects for a good many years now, and I'm finding myself in need

@Jessie137

Vote Up Vote Down

I'm writing a historical fiction novel with literally hundreds of characters. I went through the stage of cards for each, then went through the stage of multiple diagrams (which could never include all the characters at the same time) and then I discovered Realm Works, a software for RPG GMs.

Realm Works allows users to create 'articles'. Let's say I've got an article for each character (and place, object, vehicle, etc) in my story. I can then write more or less detailed information concerning each character (or anything else). Let's say character X was born in city Z in country Zed, is the child of A and B, sibling of C, best friend of D, is polite to E despite hating them, etc. If all those places and elements already have an article, then links are automatically created. You also have a section where you can see all the characters X is related to, including information on the nature of the relationship (friendly, lovers, enemies, etc) and any comments you wish to make.

Another feature is that you can choose a character and see a web of all their relationships. Note that this feature is still a bit basic. Furthermore, you can search all the articles using all sorts of filters.

I also use concept maps (I use yEd for that, since I can customise them with colours and make them as complex as I wish with absolute control, which the relationship net of Realm Works doesn't allow) to visualise relationships concerning specific groups. I use these maps as an index, since images can have pins placed on them which are then used as hyperlinks.

Note that yEd is free but Realm Works is not.

(0)

Login to post a comment!