View source for Your First Edit

__NOTOC__

= Your First Edit =

Welcome to '''The Canon of Nora!'''

Thank you for helping build the world's most complete reference for the books and worlds of Nora Roberts and J.D. Robb.

If you've never edited a wiki before, don't worry.

'''If you can type in Microsoft Word or Google Docs, you can edit this wiki.'''

This guide will walk you through the basics.

<hr>

== Step 1 — Open the page you want to edit ==

[[File:EditButton.png|700px|center]]

Find the page you want to improve.

At the top of the page, click the '''Edit''' button.

That's it!

<hr>

== Step 2 — Make your changes ==

[[File:EditingWindow.png|700px|center]]

A large editing window will appear.

Simply edit the text.

You can:

* Fix spelling mistakes
* Correct dates
* Add missing information
* Improve wording
* Add new sections

'''Nothing is saved until you click "Save Changes."'''

<hr>

== Step 3 — Preview your work ==

[[File:PreviewButton.png|700px|center]]

Before saving, click '''Show Preview'''.

This lets you see exactly how your page will look.

If something doesn't look right, simply continue editing until you're happy.

<hr>

== Step 4 — Save your changes ==

[[File:SaveChanges.png|700px|center]]

Before saving, write a short description of what you changed.

Examples:

* Fixed spelling
* Added pet information
* Corrected publication date
* Expanded biography

Then click '''Save Changes'''.

Congratulations!

You've just helped improve the Canon of Nora.

<hr>

= Basic Formatting =

These are the only formatting commands most editors ever need.

== Bold Text ==

Type:

<pre>
'''Roarke'''
</pre>

Displays as:

'''Roarke'''

<hr>

== Italic Text ==

Book titles should usually be italicized.

Type:

<pre>
''Vision in White''
</pre>

Displays as:

''Vision in White''

<hr>

== Section Headings ==

Create a heading using two equals signs.

<pre>
== Biography ==
</pre>

Create a smaller heading with three equals signs.

<pre>
=== Childhood ===
</pre>

<hr>

== Bulleted Lists ==

Start each line with an asterisk.

<pre>
* First item
* Second item
* Third item
</pre>

Produces:

* First item
* Second item
* Third item

<hr>

== Numbered Lists ==

Start each line with a pound sign.

<pre>
# First
# Second
# Third
</pre>

Produces:

# First
# Second
# Third

<hr>

= Creating Links =

One of the most important parts of editing a wiki is creating links.

== Link to another page ==

Type:

<pre>
[[Eve Dallas]]
</pre>

This creates a link to the Eve Dallas page.

<hr>

== Link with different text ==

Sometimes you want the link to display different words.

Type:

<pre>
[[Eve Dallas|Eve]]
</pre>

The page still links to '''Eve Dallas''', but readers will only see '''Eve'''.

<hr>

== Creating a new page ==

Simply create a link.

<pre>
[[Sean MacGregor]]
</pre>

If the page doesn't exist yet, the link will appear '''red''' after saving.

Click the red link to create the page.

Red links are a good thing—they help us find pages that still need to be written.

<hr>

= Categories =

Categories help organize the wiki.

Near the bottom of every page, add one or more categories.

Example:

<pre>
[[Category:Characters]]

[[Category:MacGregor Family]]
</pre>

A page can belong to as many categories as needed.

<hr>

= Infoboxes =

Many pages begin with an information box.

Don't worry if it looks complicated.

Simply replace the information after the equals sign.

Example:

<pre>
| Name = Eve Dallas
| Occupation = Police Lieutenant
| First Appearance = Naked in Death
</pre>

Leave everything else exactly as it is.

<hr>

= Before You Save =

Before clicking '''Save Changes''', ask yourself:

☑ Did I check my spelling?

☑ Did I preview the page?

☑ Did I add a short edit summary?

☑ Does everything look right?

If so...

Click '''Save Changes'''!

<hr>

= Good First Edits =

Not sure where to start?

These are always helpful:

* Fix spelling mistakes
* Correct grammar
* Add publication dates
* Add missing family members
* Add pets
* Add locations
* Expand character biographies
* Add book appearances

Even the smallest edit helps make the wiki better.

<hr>

= Don't Be Afraid =

Every page on this wiki keeps a complete history of every edit.

If you make a mistake, it can easily be fixed.

'''You are not going to break the wiki.'''

We would much rather have enthusiastic editors than perfect editors.

So jump in and have fun!

<hr>

= Need Help? =

If you ever get stuck, just ask.

Every experienced wiki editor was once making their very first edit, too.

Welcome to the Canon of Nora—we're glad you're here!