My Story Writer uses a database that allows you to save story specific data and general data. When you access data from the Story project reference Pane you are accessing story data. When you access data from the ribbonbar you are accessing general data.

General Data - General data can be used in any story project. For example, you may have a great idea for a new character but can't use that character at the present time. Running the New Character Wizard will create the character and then store the character in the general database for use in future stories.

Also, by using the general database, you can use the same character over in multiple stories. This is useful when you are writing a series based on the same character.

The general database will also keep character changes over time consistant with stories as well. When a character attribute changes, a modification in the general character database will be in effect when that character is added to later stories. Changes made to a character in the general database don't impact the story character because the character started with different attributes that were valid when the story started. This allows you to mainatin a characters development over time across multiple stories. This applies to locations, items and other general data as well

Other general databases such as research databases are also usable across all stories.

Story Databases - The story database applies to the story you are currently working in. When changes are made to a story character changes aren't made to the general character database.

In this case the character change is temporary and the changes value reverts back to the original value. For example, a character may alter their hair color for a limited period of time. By making the modification in the story the character reverts back to the original attributes when the character is used again. This also works across the other story databases as well.

General databases store persistant changes whereas story databases can store temporary changes.