But apparently, Reid sees this all the time. I was flabbergasted to hear some people still indent their paragraphs by hitting the space key five times, or that anyone would manually number the pages of a manuscript. We’re talking basic stuff: auto-indenting paragraphs, inserting chapter breaks, inserting automatic page numbers, and so on.
#STORYIST NAMING YOUR CHAPTERS HOW TO#
(Yes, I know there are other programs, and I know a lot of writers are migrating to Google Docs.) As I scrolled down the comments on Reid’s post, I was amazed at how many writers don’t know how to perform the simplest formatting in Word. I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that Microsoft Word is still the number one tool writers use to, well, write. Even more importantly, formatting your work correctly can make you look more professional-and more “serious” as a writer.
#STORYIST NAMING YOUR CHAPTERS PROFESSIONAL#
If you follow standard formatting conventions of font size, margin width, and so on, professional readers (including agents, editors and publishers) have an easier time gauging the pacing of your book. With Courier, it’s more like 4,400 words.
In Verdana, the 20-page point will come at about 5,000 words. She went on to note that page 20 comes at about the 6,000-word mark if the text is formatted in Times New Roman. It’s essential that page twenty be about the same amount of words across the board.”
If I get to page twenty and I haven’t yet gotten a glimmer of what’s at stake for Our Hero/ine, then I know there’s a problem. “When mss follow a consistent format, it helps me assess the pacing. “I’m reading (as are all other agents and editors) a LOT of manuscripts,” she said. The other day I was reading a blog post by agent-blogger Janet Reid (of Query Shark fame), who had some interesting things to say about the importance of manuscript formatting: This title expresses the mood for this chapter, a mix of hope and despair.“Format guidelines were not instituted to drive you crazy. It fit so well with the story, I couldn’t pass it up!Ģ4.) That Time of Year- Christmas…This title just came to me one day after thinking of the song “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”Ģ5.) Christmas Apart- No one likes being away from loved ones at Christmas. Sometimes you are literally racing against the clock. Old faithful’s are fine ?Ģ2.) Sharp Encounter- Read the Chapter, and it’ll make sense ? I drew the title from the story.Ģ3.) Race Against Time- Another Original.
We’re in the South, Y’all! Original title.Ģ1.) Letters- Sometimes I’m too tired to think of something fresh. I liked the simplicity of this very true statement.ġ9.) Hide ‘n Seek and Nicodemus- This mixes two events in the story, with both a fun and serious edge.Ģ0.) A Land of Cotton…and More Cotton- A spin off the title, theme song and the truth of the harvest season. This chapter covers that.ġ6.) Wrapping Up- A wound, a part of the story or both? This title came to me while trying to revamp some lousy titles, including “Moving On.”ġ8.) Prayer Works- This is an original. Original Title!ġ4.) Surprised- Sometimes stating a simple fact is the best way to title a chapter… ? or maybe that’s laziness…you decide.ġ5.) More Than One Way To Serve- Without giving you a spoiler, there were many ways to serve your country during war, not just fighting. That’s what this chapter explains.ĩ.) The First Good-Bye- That one is always the hardest ☹ I think the title is self-explanatory.ġ0.) The Awakening- This one was a revised title, originally called “The Bull Runners.” Without spoiling it for those who haven’t read that far, in every soldier’s life there is a time when he realizes War isn’t all glory…it isn’t a game it’s for real.ġ2.) “It Never Gets Easier”- Phrase taken from the story.ġ3.) Eternity- Serious topic common to war. Even when it doesn’t make sense, God has a plan for your life!ĥ.) Lighting the Fire- Before the War Between the States, people that were in agreement with secession and spoke out in its favor were labeled “Fire Eaters.” This fact and the fact that the desire to serve one's country is referred to as the Fire of Patriotism provided the perfect title.Ħ.) Confederate and Lady- Read the book, and you’ll understand ?ħ.) Something Worth Fighting For- Sometimes it takes time for a Cause’s righteousness to be realized by those it affects. An Original Title.Ĥ.) God Has a Plan- This was taken from a conversation in the chapter.
Sometimes, you’re just not going to agree with people, but try to do it peacefully. Old Faithful!Ģ.) The Move- Again, this is what the chapter focused around, a family moving to a new location.ģ.) Agree to Disagree- This is a common enough phrase and fits perfectly with the story of this chapter. This is the very first title I ever came up with for this book. 1.) “How’d This All Get Started?”- Michael asks this question, and it is the focus of the chapter, explaining the Southern Cause in simple terms.