Suggestion: Split text capsules

1. 59

   Eric Newlandposted 13 years ago

   I've fallen into a hub strategy lately of composing the entire text of my hub in the HP editor (I don't always work from the same computer, so working with Word documents or other files would be a hindrance). I then break the text up based on my headings and give each one its own text capsule because this gives me a good framework for laying out images, Amazon items...you know, everything else.
   
   This obviously gets to be a cumbersome process. I have to create a stack of text capsules for each heading, open my original capsule, cut a heading out, open another capsule, paste, and repeat several times.
   
   It would be handy if I could just place my cursor at a point in my text, click a button, and have it automatically split into two text capsules at that point. Double handy if I could somehow do this without even having to open the text capsule, but any kind of functionality along these lines would be really helpful.

   replyreport
   1. 98

      Rochelle Frankposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I understand what you are saying.
      I usually write most of my text in a separate document and set up my hub format with several text and photo capsules.
      
      When I find that one text capsule has tooo - too much. I just add a text capsule below, then go back to the previous capsule, cut and paste in the capsule below.  It's not really too much trouble-- especially if you use the little "Add" arrow along the side-- it's just part of the process.
      I'm always worried when 'improvements' come in-- more chance for error and glitch. Also more of a learning curve for new people, perhaps.

      replyreport
      1. 95

         Cardisaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         I agree with Rochelle, I just add another tex capsule and position where I like by using the arrows.

         replyreport
   2. 86

      Marisa Wrightposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      This may be a silly question, but why are you creating headings within a text capsule in the first place?  As soon as you find yourself wanting to create a heading, that's an obvious signal to start a new text capsule.
      
      The other obvious fix is to get in the habit of noticing how long your text is getting - when it looks long enough, start the next paragraph in a new capsule.  You don't have to have a heading on every capsule.
      
      I also tend to write in the HubPages editor - I know I should use Word to avoid losing work, but I find I work better that way.  And I always create three or four text capsules when I create a Hub, so I can switch to the next capsule without interrupting the flow.

      replyreport
      1. 59

         Eric Newlandposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         I think it's mostly because I like being able to see my total word count at a glance. If my thoughts are flowing well I also tend to want to keep typing rather than pause to change capsules.

         replyreport
         1. 86

            Marisa Wrightposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            In that case, it seems to me you're just making life difficult for yourself - since you're deliberately typing into one text capsule, knowing you're going to have to split it up later.
            
            Sounds like typing it in Word would work better for you.  I like having to change capsules, it forces me to think about what I'm typing, instead of just letting the verbal diarrhoea flow...

            replyreport
2. 83

   SimeyCposted 13 years ago

   Not a bad idea - however if you check the forums you'll find quite a few writers who have lost work by writing directly in the hub. It's always a good idea to write in Word of some other word processor and then use the good old cut and paste - I also find I can setup a pretty standard hub and when creating my next article use this hub as a template.
   
   It's a little bit of a pain - and this feature could be useful once I've finished the major design, just for tweaking purposes!

   replyreport
   1. 59

      Eric Newlandposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      That is a good point. While something like this would still be situationally handy I ha probably better start composing in Word just for backup purposes.

      replyreport
      1. 98

         Rochelle Frankposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         I don't use Word, but I do write first in a text editing application before putting it into capsules.

         replyreport