| One of the most popular word processing | | | | 4. Use Format>Styles and Formatting to create a |
| programs for writers is MS Word. MS Word is a | | | | special Chapter Heading format. You can use the |
| very powerful program and is capable of helping | | | | paragraph line spacing to properly place the |
| the writer in many ways. However, many people | | | | chapter heading half way down the page in |
| don't know how to use the program properly and | | | | manuscript format. By thinking ahead, you can |
| often simply use it as an overgrown version of | | | | also format the chapter heading to be in the right |
| notepad. | | | | position when converted to final format. |
| This article will help you get the most out of | | | | 5. Use File>Page Setup to allow a different first |
| writing a book with MS Word. Here are six | | | | page and different even and odd pages. In |
| formatting tips and tricks: | | | | manuscript format all pages are more or less the |
| 1. Use Format>Paragraph to double space not line | | | | same. However, in a final format the first page of |
| feeds. Manuscripts have traditionally been | | | | a chapter is often different from the rest of the |
| presented double spaced. However, the finished | | | | chapter. Facing pages are also often different. For |
| book is often presented using line and a half | | | | example the even pages may have a header on |
| spacing. This helps to use less paper than double | | | | the right and odd pages may have the header on |
| spacing, and is easier to read than single spacing. | | | | the left. This would cause the headers for facing |
| Use Edit>Select All to select the entire manuscript | | | | pages to both be closest to the binding. |
| then Format>Paragraph to switch between the | | | | (Depending on the design this could also cause the |
| two line spacing formats. | | | | facing pages to have headers furthest from the |
| 2. Use the Format>Paragraph to indent your | | | | binding). |
| paragraphs rather than tab or the space key. This | | | | 6. Use File>Versions to automatically create |
| gives a more consistent indent and makes | | | | versions of the book as you work. You can |
| restructuring paragraphs easier. It also allows you | | | | choose for the program to save the information |
| to use different paragraph indents between the | | | | every time you close the program. That way you |
| manuscript format and the finished format. | | | | won't have to worry about files hanging around |
| 3. When defining your indents create a separate | | | | without anything for them to do except to |
| style for the first paragraph. This will allow you to | | | | confuse you and make locating the latest version |
| have a different indent for the first paragraph if | | | | difficult. |
| the finished format needs it. | | | | |