Final MS format

[auntiebebo22]

There is a similar post here but this is a single question that i did not find there.

On the pages that start a chapter, my text body starts on line 4. Because of this, and in order to keep my pages uniform i start all my pages on the fourth line.

Is this correct or should i move the regular pages up to line 1?

[maestrowork]

I believe Uncle Jim said start your new chapter from the middle of the page, leaving lots of room on top.

[auntiebebo22]

and the other pages?



www.shunn.net/writing/coach/format.html

I finally found this. it seems right to me

any opinions?

[James D Macdonald]

Bill Shunn is right.

Anyway, you start each new chapter on a new page, in the middle of the page. Subsequent pages in the chapter are back up at the top of the page again.

Don't get so distracted by formatting that you forget to tell a good story.

[Jamesaritchie]

One thing I'd suggest is to look around the web for a font called Dark Courier. It's a free download. Dark Courier is exactly like the Courier font on your computer, except it prints darker with most printers, and it's much easier on the eyes when reading a long manuscript.

[SRHowen]

I downloaded Dark C and it will not work for me--no idea why not. Won't work in Word or WP.

Shawn:shrug

[maestrowork]

Shawn, are you using XP and Word? DarkC worked for me (I have Word XP).

[Pthom]

It works for me, too, but I can't see enough difference to warrant its use.

Shawn: have you installed it using the Fonts section of Control Panel? Merely downloading the font isn't enough.

[James D Macdonald]

Check out what it looks like when you print it out. The on-screen presentation is a lot like regular Courier.

[SRHowen]

I use Word 2003 or WP 12. (mostly the WP 12) Either one does not like it. Sigh. Might be because I just haven't had much time (or desire) to tinker with it.

Shawn

[Gala]

can you be more specific?

Are you saying it won't display correctly, or won't print correctly?

Could be your printer driver not set up to download the font, and is substituting. Printer type?

I know you don't want to tinker...but these questions get in my craw and I have to find the answer.

:nerd

[maestrowork]

I have both Word 2003 and Word XP (on different systems) and it worked for me. Hmm.... As far as I know, all your have to do is to copy the font to your Windows/Fonts folder.

Baffled.

[James D Macdonald]

For those who need it, or would like to play: <a href="http://www.sff.net/people/doylemacdonald/darkcourier.zip" target="_new">Dark Courier</a>.

[auntiebebo22]

Thanks all for your comments


James- Always working my friend, tweek, tweek, tweek!!!

My book currently has 14 chapters, my problem is straightening out my poor grammar. It took me 4 months to write the damn thing, and nearly a year editing and changing it, but i hope to send it out by the new year.

I was saving my format, synopsis, and query/cover letter for last. All in all i think i have a good story with compelling likeable characters, little did i know it would be the easy part!
sigh...

Billie

[SRHowen]

I download it and it is not there the next time I boot up.

I will try once again, tomorrow after a 10 hr day at work.

Shawn

[Pthom]

Shawn...

As I said earlier, just downloading the font won't make it available for ANY program in Windows, whether it be MSWord or Word Perfect. You first must install it.

Get yourself into Control Panel (on my system, it's Start/Settings/Control Panel). Then find and click on the Fonts icon. A window will pop up with all the fonts currently installed in your computer. More than likely, you will NOT find Dark Courier among them. Using the top menu, click on File, then Install New Font. You will be presented with a dialog where you can browse your system for where you saved the downloaded copy of Dark Courier. Double click on that location and the font name (Dark Courier) will appear in the "List of Fonts" pane. Clicking on OK will install it.

THEN see if Word or Word Perfect can't use it. :)

[Jamesaritchie]

Whether or not you need Dark Courier really depends on your printer. On most printers, Dark Courier prints a good deal darker and Courier, or Courier New, so it's much easier on the eyes.

Print a sentnece or two with regular Courier and then with Dark Courier to see the difference.

There's quite a difference on my printer, and I've been using Dark Courier for at least a couple of years. Editors appreciate it.

[maestrowork]

Dark Courier definitely looks more substantial with my laser printer.

[Gala]

re installing Dark Courier:

Pthom's instructions are good. You can also use copy/paste to the font's folder.

NOTE: if using the link James provided for the fonts, you must first extract the files. This takes seconds.

Enjoy.

<img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/image/posticons/pi_geek.gif" />

[SRHowen]

LOL--umm, I do know my way around a computer.

I'm not that worried about it. Something funky is up with the fonts folder on my computer and I have not had the time to sit down and fix it.

My life the last couple of weeks has been a mess, so this is really at the bottom of my list.

But thanks,

Shawn