March 6, 2017

The Pros Don't Word Process, They Typeset

Last week I talked a little about how I was unsure about purchasing yet another copy of Word. I think I've found the answer:

Forget Word.

Learn InDesign.

When I first mentioned to my husband that I decided to use yet another new software in my book making endeavors, he raised an eyebrow and asked if I was sure. I've done a lot of complaining, all of which he has graciously listened to, about the pains of formatting a novel. Typesetting programs have a bit of a steep learning curve, but it certainly can't be worse than fighting with a word processor.

I've heard over and over that Typesetting software will make a much nicer looking book, but at first, I was slow to believe this. However, after trying to use images for scene breaks and chapter headings only to have my text do funky things and jump around the page, I figured InDesign would be worth checking out.

As with anything new I try, I turned to YouTube to get a handle on the basics. Forty minutes later, I think I can do this.

I've made a template for my next novel, but I won't be able to really gauge how it will work until I get the whole novel in there. But before I do that, my novel needs to be print-ready first. Until then, my manuscript belongs in text editor land.

On the bright side, the editor I'm hiring has agreed to use Google Docs so I may be able to get by without purchasing another word processor!

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