# Citation Guide for Fiction Documentation How to cite sources when creating reference documentation for your creative writing project. ## Why Cite Sources? Citations in fiction wikis serve several purposes: - **Verification**: Readers can check the source - **Consistency**: Track where information comes from - **Contradiction resolution**: Identify which source takes precedence - **Completeness**: Ensure nothing is missed - **Updates**: Know what to revise when you rewrite chapters ## Basic Citation Formats ### Chapter References **Simple chapter citation**: ```markdown Sarah's ability to see auras is revealed in Chapter 5. ## References - Chapter 5 ``` **Specific scene**: ```markdown Marcus first meets the antagonist during the cafe confrontation. ## References - Chapter 8: Cafe scene ``` **Multiple chapters**: ```markdown The prophecy is mentioned repeatedly throughout the story. ## References - Chapter 2: First mention - Chapter 7: Full text revealed - Chapter 15: Interpretation discussed ``` ### Page/Section References If your project uses page numbers or sections: ```markdown ## References - Chapter 3, Page 45 - Chapter 5, Section 2 - Chapter 12, Opening scene ``` ### Scene-Specific Citations ```markdown ## References - Chapter 4: Training montage - Chapter 9: Sarah vs. Marcus fight - Chapter 14: Climactic revelation ``` ## Inline Citations For specific facts within the page, cite inline: ```markdown Sarah discovers her powers at age 15 (Chapter 2). She trains with Master Chen for three years (Chapter 4-7) before facing her first real challenge (Chapter 8). ``` Or use reference-style citations: ```markdown Sarah discovers her powers at age 15 [1]. She trains with Master Chen for three years [2] before facing her first real challenge [3]. ## References [1] Chapter 2: Power awakening [2] Chapters 4-7: Training arc [3] Chapter 8: First mission ``` ## Organized Reference Sections ### Chronological Order Useful for character biographies or timelines: ```markdown ## References - Chapter 1: Birth and childhood - Chapter 3: Teenage years - Chapter 7: Adulthood - Chapter 12: Current events ``` ### By Topic Useful for complex pages with multiple aspects: ```markdown ## References ### Physical Description - Chapter 2: Initial description - Chapter 9: Post-transformation appearance ### Abilities - Chapter 5: Power discovery - Chapter 11: Full power reveal ### Relationships - Chapter 3: Meets Marcus - Chapter 14: Reconciliation with father ``` ### By Relevance Most important references first: ```markdown ## References - Chapter 8: Major character-defining moment - Chapter 3: First appearance - Chapter 15: Character arc resolution - Chapter 6: Minor mention ``` ## Special Cases ### Contradictions When sources contradict, note both: ```markdown Sarah's age is stated as 23 in Chapter 2, but later referred to as 25 in Chapter 8. [Contradiction noted - clarification needed] ## References - Chapter 2: Age given as 23 - Chapter 8: Referred to as 25 ``` ### Implied Information When something is implied but not stated: ```markdown Marcus likely has military training (implied by his combat skills and terminology). ## References - Chapter 4: Combat proficiency demonstrated - Chapter 7: Uses military jargon ``` ### Retroactive Information When later chapters reveal backstory: ```markdown Sarah's mother died when she was young (revealed in flashback in Chapter 12, though mentioned briefly in Chapter 3). ## References - Chapter 3: Brief mention - Chapter 12: Full flashback and details ``` ### Work-in-Progress For incomplete information: ```markdown The antagonist's true name has not yet been revealed. ## References - Chapters 1-10: Referred to only as "The Shadow" - [To be updated when revealed] ``` ## Citation Best Practices ### Do Cite - Direct statements from the text - Character actions and decisions - Physical descriptions - Relationship developments - World-building facts - Timeline events ### Don't Need to Cite - Commonly known information repeated throughout - Your own analysis or interpretation (just label it as such) - Meta information about the writing process ### Multiple Mentions If something appears in many chapters: **Specific approach**: ```markdown ## References - Chapter 2: First mention - Chapter 5: Detailed explanation - Chapter 8: Used in combat - Chapter 12: Full capabilities shown - Chapter 15: Ultimate application ``` **General approach** (if too many to list): ```markdown ## References - Appears throughout Chapters 5-15 - Key scenes: Chapter 5 (introduction), Chapter 12 (mastery) ``` ## Updating Citations When you revise chapters: ### Add Update Notes ```markdown ## References - Chapter 5: Sarah's backstory [Updated 2024-03-15] - Chapter 8: Major revision changes relationship dynamic [Rev. 2024-03-15] ``` ### Track Versions If you maintain chapter versions: ```markdown ## References - Chapter 3 (v2): Sarah's age corrected to 25 - Chapter 7 (v1): Original meeting scene ``` ## Reference Section Templates ### Minimal ```markdown ## References - Chapter X - Chapter Y ``` ### Standard ```markdown ## References - Chapter X: [Brief description] - Chapter Y: [Brief description] ``` ### Detailed ```markdown ## References ### First Appearance - Chapter X: [Description] ### Character Development - Chapter Y: [Description] - Chapter Z: [Description] ### Major Moments - Chapter A: [Description] - Chapter B: [Description] ``` ## Cross-Referencing Link to other wiki pages: ```markdown Sarah's relationship with [Marcus](marcus.md) is complicated by the revelation about [the prophecy](prophecy.md) in Chapter 8. ## References - Chapter 8: Revelation scene - See also: [Marcus](marcus.md), [The Prophecy](prophecy.md) ``` ## Spoiler Management ### Spoiler Frontmatter ```yaml --- title: Sarah Chen type: character spoilers: true spoiler_level: major --- ``` ### Spoiler Sections ```markdown ## Character Arc Sarah begins as an ordinary college student...
Major Spoilers - Chapter 15+ In Chapter 15, it's revealed that Sarah is actually...
## References - Chapters 1-14: Initial arc - Chapter 15+: Major revelation (spoilers) ``` ## Example Reference Sections ### Character Page ```markdown ## References ### Biography - Chapter 1: Childhood flashback - Chapter 6: College years mentioned - Chapter 12: Complete backstory revealed ### Abilities - Chapter 3: First power manifestation - Chapter 7: Training montage - Chapter 14: Full power display ### Relationships - Chapter 2: Meets Marcus - Chapter 5: Conflict with father - Chapter 11: Romantic development - Chapter 16: Resolution ``` ### Location Page ```markdown ## References - Chapter 1: First described from distance - Chapter 4: Sarah enters for first time - Chapter 9: Major battle scene - Chapter 13: Destruction - Chapter 18: Rebuilt ``` ### Lore Page ```markdown ## References ### Mentioned - Chapter 2: Brief reference - Chapter 5: Name-dropped ### Explained - Chapter 8: Full explanation given - Chapter 10: Demonstrated in practice ### Crucial to Plot - Chapter 15: Used to resolve main conflict ``` ## Remember **Good citations**: - Are specific enough to find the source - Are organized logically - Note contradictions when found - Get updated when chapters change - Help readers verify information **Bad citations**: - Just say "somewhere in the story" - List every single mention when dozens exist - Ignore contradictions - Never get updated - Are vague about location The goal is to make your wiki a reliable reference that accurately reflects your story content and makes it easy to verify or update information.