oddEvan In Brief

I write short stories, and I vastly prefer writing in Markdown to a word processor. I’ve got one series with a lot of texting/group chat, and I’d love to represent this better both in the Markdown and the resulting HTML.

Requirements

Optional title

Optional speaker handles/names

Difference between incoming/outgoing messages (as if we’re looking at someone’s phone)

Working draft

] #chat name ] ] [@Other](https://micro.blog/Other) Person: ] Hey, have you written that novel yet? ] ] [@Me](https://micro.blog/Me): ] I came here to have a good time and ] I'm honestly feeling so attacked right ] now... ] ] (that's a no, BTW) ] ] (and now a third message for comedic ] effect) ] ] [@Other](https://micro.blog/Other) Person: ] I kinda figured :)

Denoted with ] (like block quote except not >)

Chat name starts with # (like an IRC or Slack room)

Speaker name starts with @ and ends with : (to avoid a normal message that starts with a mention and allow spaces in names)

POV character indented by 2 spaces (mimicking placement in most SMS/chat apps)

Examples

Group chat:

] # A Perfectly Normal Group Chat ] ] @EternalSneptember: ] (pw change logs out all other devices/browsers) ] ] Ideally remote wipe but IDK if that's an option. ] ] @EarthStars: ] Thanks for the reminder, Snep. Remote wipe is an ] option but would cross a line. ] ] @BuckTheWorld: ] Ugh, this sucks. How bad, @EarthStars?

DM/SMS:

] # Mom ] ] You're up late! ] ] No judgement, of course. 😜 ] ] I'll judge for you LOL Working late? ] ] Binging a new show. I'm a bad example.

Problems/feedback needed

Without speaker names, it’s not as obvious that it’s two different people speaking (see second example).

Could increase the indentation, but that makes it even more awkward to type

Even the current indentation is awkward to type since macOS/iOS typically adds a period instead of two spaces

Not completely sold on a blockquote-style syntax, open to other options

Extend the syntax of markdown means […] Defeating the purpose of markdown: being simple to author and looking like what it means

With all due respect, I’m extending the syntax because I want it to be simple to author and look like what it means. I want to differentiate between a handwritten note, a chat transcript, and a normal block quote as quickly as I differentiate between normal text and something emphasized.

NACS charging,

200-mi range, and

is a sedan or hatchback and not another 🤬ing crossover.

You can’t call it a successor—spiritual or otherwise—to WordPress without plugin/theme compatibility.

What am I even doing with Smolblog?