%%USERNAME%%    %%ACCWORDS%% %%ONOFF%% |
| Excuse me while I rant about MS word. I wanted to format a novel for submission this morning, so I spent five minutes creating a "submissions" format. I then spent the next THREE HOURS trying to figure out how to get that format to show up in the <file> <new> menu in Word. I finally got it to appear, but have NO IDEA how I did it. The resources I found via a Google search simply did not work or, worse, were jibber-jabber about making folders point to the same place but without telling you how to do that. Several times, I lost the <file> <new> menu altogther, but somehow it just magically reappeared with my new format. Maybe it was the Special Words I Learned in the Navy that I *firmly* recited this last time that did it. Why does Word make SIMPLE things so IMPOSSIBLE? |
| I just do a format of a piece each time I submit. I have my Shunn details next to me, select all and then do what they ask. (Some publishers like to tweak things...) I don't bother with the pre-format stuff because, well, I find it easier with a cave wall and a stick. |
Reply
| S 🤦 - I've got a separate format I've saved for Crosstimbers...well, two separate formats. One for the online PDF, one for Amazon. I can use the same format for the Amazon print and Kindle versions. For the online PDF, I have to adjust the page size and font size to make it readable. As long as I use "header1" for titles and "header2" for author, it all pretty much works, though. The formats just include the specialized fonts that appear in the Crosstimbers issues. Haarlem Deco, if anyone is interested, liscenced for commercial use via CreativeFabrica. |
Reply
| WriteItNow has great formatting options and you can easily change all the formats, fonts, sizes, etc depending upon the submission requirements. I use it rather than Word for pretty much all my writing needs. It's especially great for those who are visually impaired and need to easily change menu options and menu sizes. |
Reply
The spring issue of Tales from the Crosstimbers is now available!   We are also open for submissions for the Summer, 2025 issue. We publish speculative fiction. Our preferred lengths are 1000-2000 words, but we will consider stories of up to 5000 words. Query first if your story is longer than 2500 words. For details, see https://thecrosstimbers.online/open-call/ We especially encourage authors on Writing.Com to submit. |
| My most recent blog entry answers the burning question that's been on everyone's mind lately: "What we've been watching on TV, birthday edition" |
With motivation, help, and lots of inspiration from Raven   , I wrote what is probably the last story in "Lauderdale Tales" .  |
Rather than do anything was was, like, productive this afternoon, I made covers for the five Lauderdale Tales.  There are six passengers in that van, so I need one more tale. Except, in the source material, the sixth person never gets to tell his tale--the other passengers all say it's boring and make him stop. For inspiration, I need a theme song for a tale like that. Maybe "Return To Sender," or maybe "The Dangling Conversation?" The tales are all about romance, some happy, some not so much. I'd love to use Dusty Springfield singing "You Don't have to say you love me," but I'm not sure that fits with a tale that's too boring to tell. |
| Max Griffin 🏳️🌈 - I keep thinking of either really obvious ones (Space Oddity, Elanor Rigby), or slantwise ones (Love Comes Quickly, Black Horse And The Cherry Tree)... I will be super intrigued to see what you land on. |
| Just to update, I've decided on "Total Eclipse of the Heart" as the song. I even have a cover for the story. |
 My final blog post in this series: "Soundtrack, Feb 28, Total Eclipse of the Heart." Associated story: Liam's Tale, not yet written, in and the awesome video for this song. |
| Today's blog entry for this activity: "Soundtrack, Feb 27, Someone To Watch Over Me" Associated story: "Alby's Tale" If you want to read the story, please email me for the passkey. An interpretation for jazz piano |
| Blog entry for this activity: "Soundtrack, Feb 26, Melancholy Baby" Related story: "Alby's Tale" And the song: |
| My blog post for this activity: "Soundtrack, Feb 25, Falling in Love Again" The associated story:
Caution: very first drafty--I just finished it ten minutes ago. and the song |
| My blog entry assoicated with the above activity: "Soundtracfk, February 24, The Devil Went Down to Georgia" The story that uses the song: "The Package" (write to me if you want the passkey) and the song |
| My blog post related to above activity: "Soundrack, Feb 23, Softly and Tenderly" Related story: "Chapter 11--Softly and Tenderly" of "Dreamin' Life Away" and a link to the song, from the movie Junebug |
| My blog entry for this activity: "Soundtrack, Feb 22, Riders on the Storm" The related story: "Chapter 10--Rider on the Storm" of "Dreamin' Life Away" and the song |
How I spent my morning...My first time ever making cupcakes. Be gentle. THese were for my writing group's meeting tonight, but we've cancelled due to weather and roads...so now I'm saddled with a dozen cupcakes I can't eat.  |
Allan Charles 🐾 Busy Busy  - We've got a neighbor with little girls at home. I'll message him tomorow to see if they want some. |
| Please DO NOT delete this note! I need it! (If you're curious, people, all you have to do is look at the Drama Newsletter on Mar 12, 2025) |
| My blog entry for today: "Soundtrack, Feb 21, Get Happy" The associated story: "Chapter 9--Get Happy, In Dreams" of "Dreamin' Life Away" The song |
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
