7.5 KiB
7.5 KiB
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:
Sarah's ability to see auras is revealed in Chapter 5.
## References
- Chapter 5
Specific scene:
Marcus first meets the antagonist during the cafe confrontation.
## References
- Chapter 8: Cafe scene
Multiple chapters:
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:
## References
- Chapter 3, Page 45
- Chapter 5, Section 2
- Chapter 12, Opening scene
Scene-Specific Citations
## 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:
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:
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:
## 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:
## 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:
## 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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
## 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):
## References
- Appears throughout Chapters 5-15
- Key scenes: Chapter 5 (introduction), Chapter 12 (mastery)
Updating Citations
When you revise chapters:
Add Update Notes
## 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:
## References
- Chapter 3 (v2): Sarah's age corrected to 25
- Chapter 7 (v1): Original meeting scene
Reference Section Templates
Minimal
## References
- Chapter X
- Chapter Y
Standard
## References
- Chapter X: [Brief description]
- Chapter Y: [Brief description]
Detailed
## 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:
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
---
title: Sarah Chen
type: character
spoilers: true
spoiler_level: major
---
Spoiler Sections
## Character Arc
Sarah begins as an ordinary college student...
<details>
<summary>Major Spoilers - Chapter 15+</summary>
In Chapter 15, it's revealed that Sarah is actually...
</details>
## References
- Chapters 1-14: Initial arc
- Chapter 15+: Major revelation (spoilers)
Example Reference Sections
Character Page
## 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
## 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
## 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.