Something I noticed

Marie123 · Feb 15, 2010

I was told to always indent a first sentence in a paragraph. However, I notice many writers only indent the second paragraph and put the first sentence in all CAPS instead...Is that a proper way to start a story plot?

Shadow_Ferret · Feb 15, 2010

For what? A manuscript that you'll be submitting?

Here's a FAQ on preparing manuscripts for submission.

Personally, I've never seen a manuscript where the first paragraph is all caps. I've never even heard anyone give that advice.

Marie123 · Feb 15, 2010

Shadow_Ferret said:
For what? A manuscript that you'll be submitting?

Here's a FAQ on preparing manuscripts for submission.

Personally, I've never seen a manuscript where the first paragraph is all caps. I've never even heard anyone give that advice.

I was looking at some fiction books I bought at the local book store.And noticed that many of the Authors published works first paragraph is not indented only their second. I'm still working on completing my book and later will be looking to publish it.

alleycat · Feb 15, 2010

This is a good place to start for manuscript format: http://www.shunn.net/format/novel.html

You might have to vary some details if you're submitting outside the US.

You only have to worry about formatting your manuscript in a professional way. The publisher will take care of formatting it if and when it's published.

Marie123 · Feb 15, 2010

alleycat said:
This is a good place to start for manuscript format: http://www.shunn.net/format/novel.html

You might have to vary some details if you're submitting outside the US.

You only have to worry about formatting your manuscript in a professional way. The publisher will take care of formatting it if and when it's published.

Thanks, I was kind of starting to worry about formatting as I was finishing up Chapter Two. So, the publisher will take care of the formatting?!...If so, that is good to hear

blacbird · Feb 15, 2010

Marie123 said:
I was told to always indent a first sentence in a paragraph. However, I notice many writers only indent the second paragraph and put the first sentence in all CAPS instead...Is that a proper way to start a story plot?

A "story plot" has nothing whatever to do with submission manuscript formatting. Write anyway you damn please (although I'd suggest simplicity). Only when you need to produce a submittable manuscript do you need to worry about format. Even then, it's pretty standard and simple.

caw

Something I noticed

Marie123

Shadow_Ferret

Court Jester

Marie123

alleycat

Still around

Marie123

blacbird