What software when writing?? Help with margins

[Kyle]

I'm getting ready to attempt writing my first ever story, a short story, and I was just wondering if you guys used Microsoft Word, and if not, what?

Also, and this is important...what are the proper margins for top, bottom, left and right when writing, or at least most common? The most common font size and font?

Thanks if you can help!

[Veronica, What the neck!?]

Well, I personally use Word, but that's what I have on my computer with spell check. Although, I also find that writing in a notebook works quite well too (though when I do this I have a weird thing with writing in pen, not pencil. But that's personal)
Really, you can use anything you want. Whatever you feel comfortable using.

As for margins... it really doesn't matter, unless you are submiting it. In that case, they will often tell you something about double spacing it. (which I do, or 1.5 space, anyhow, because it makes the length of a page less daunting). And I suppose margins would be 1" on all sides.
For MLA format (standard for essays, if you didn't know already) it is double space with 1" margins, and 12pt times new roman font. But for non essay stuff, sometimes I like to play with the fonts (though not so much that I can't read them). You can even do different colors!!!

But your questions can mostly be answered with the fact that you can follow whatever preference you have, or try different things out to find what works best for you.

[Veronica, What the neck!?]

Oh, and good luck on the story! Just don't focus more on the medium of your writing than the actual writing!

[Kyle]

Awesome, thanks for the advice. I thought it would be about an inch to inch-and-a-half margins, and wanted to make sure I was starting off on the right foot.

Next up is the fun part! : ) Creation!

[Brigid ✩]

i use appleworks ... ><

[T.O.L.I.]

i want a mac....

[[deleted user]]

I use Microsoft Word . . . gets annoying sometimes how you know more grammar than it does, but ah well.

[T.O.L.I.]

LOL!!!!! it does happen sometimes though..

[Brigid ✩]

i'm a mac person all the way ^^ woot

[[deleted user]]

I know, and then when you know more WORDS than it does too!!

[Veronica, What the neck!?]

Haha, my teacher mentioned once that sometimes she has to turn off the spell check on Word because it only has up to the vocabulary of a 12th grader. :P

[[deleted user]]

I know . . . it's so annoying!!!

[Paul]

Go to www.bbc.co.uk/writerroom and download a set of macros called Script Smart Gold US - automatically formats pages and has the correct font etc. Runs in Word, and it's free. Works with Word 2000 and Word 2003. Don't know if it works with Word 2007.

[Paige]

I use Microsoft word.

[Sella, ov vey! i haven't checked this group in months. ><]

I use OpenOffice...but listen to me. DON'T use it whatever you do. It is the WORST writing software EVER created, and it even comes with the guarentee to annoy the CRAP out of you. TRUST ME. Don't EVER use it if it's the last thing you do.

[Michelle]

ugh, i hate microsoft word with a passion, and i HAVE to use it. gah! at my house it spontaneiously decided to drive me up a wall, and refused to work! ooh, i wanted to kill my computer, but then my mum would kill me, so.... yeah

[Paige]

It's so annoying when you know a word, and it doesn't, and then you get in a big fight over whether or not it's a word!!!!!

Also, my spellcheck is obsessed with the word which.

If you type, say,

She pulled back her hair, WHICH made her look much older than she really was.

It will freak out and say WHICH should be THAT and then we start fighting over grammar.

[Kyle]

Paul wrote: "Go to www.bbc.co.uk/writerroom and download a set of macros called Script Smart Gold US - automatically formats pages and has the correct font etc. Runs in Word, and it's free. Works with Word 20..."

Thanks a ton man.

[Paige]

sigh... sigh...

I feel very sighish today. sigh....

[Seth, The plan is simple--stay alive.]

I use Word Perfect because it is the only thing on my waaaay old laptop has on it . . .

[T.O.L.I.]

O.o

[T.O.L.I.]

seth....i hate word perfect...MS word is so much better

[[deleted user]]

I agree. Microsoft Word is better. Sometimes I write in Google Docs. And sometimes I use Windows Journal with Script font to mimic writing on lined paper.

[Veronica, What the neck!?]

Although, if you never misplace things, then the best writing tools are a pen and paper. pen/paper aren't destroyed when you're computer crashes. :)

[[deleted user]]

W. wrote: "EyeOfTheStorm|RONI wrote: "Although, if you never misplace things, then the best writing tools are a pen and paper. pen/paper aren't destroyed when you're computer crashes. :)"

Agreed!
A wonder..."

Sometimes looking for the perfect pen becomes a procrastination device for me, but I do love rich inky medium point pens, though they do run out and dry out easily.