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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?
  •   4 comments
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.
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S 🤦 Author Icon - 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.
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.
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The spring issue of Tales from the Crosstimbers is now available!
SpringTales  Open in new Window.
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.
  •   7 comments
S 🤦 Author Icon - Brilliant!
Max Griffin 🏳️‍🌈 Author Icon - It is often hard to suss out what Adhere is saying, but that's half the fun!
Bon Voyage Cross Timbers and many happy returns . Pleasure to work with as S 🤦 Author IconMail Icon notes.
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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 editionOpen in new Window.
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If anyone is interested, I've written a forward to The Lauderdale Tales that tries to explain the purpose and premise of this collection. The link below is to the folder that contains the six tales; the folder includes the forward.

Image generated by Designer.Microsoft.Com of a VW bus on a beach
  •   2 comments
Ugh... The word is "foreword."
Amethyst Angel 🍀 Author Icon - Typos happen.
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With motivation, help, and lots of inspiration from Raven Author IconMail Icon, I wrote what is probably the last story in "Lauderdale TalesOpen in new Window..
Image generated by Designer.Microsoft.Com of a man on a beach watching a solar eclipse
  •   1 comment
This whole collection is such a fun ride! Make me laugh, break my heart, make me hungry--they do everything I want from fiction.
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Rather than do anything was was, like, productive this afternoon, I made covers for the five Lauderdale Tales.

Image generated by Designer.Microsoft.Com of a VW bus on a beach


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.
  •   7 comments
Max Griffin 🏳️‍🌈 Author Icon - 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.
Love that cover!
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Just to update, I've decided on "Total Eclipse of the Heart" as the song. I even have a cover for the story.
Image generated by Designer.Microsoft.Com of a man on a beach watching a solar eclipse


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My final blog post in this series: "Soundtrack, Feb 28, Total Eclipse of the Heart.Open in new Window.
Associated story: Liam's Tale, not yet written, in
Image generated by Designer.Microsoft.Com of a VW bus on a beach
and the awesome video for this song.

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Today's blog entry for this activity: "Soundtrack, Feb 27, Someone To Watch Over MeOpen in new Window.

Associated story: "Alby's TaleOpen in new Window.
If you want to read the story, please email me for the passkey.

An interpretation for jazz piano

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Blog entry for this activity: "Soundtrack, Feb 26, Melancholy BabyOpen in new Window.

Related story: "Alby's TaleOpen in new Window.

And the song:


  •   1 comment
For the most part, piano playing makes me nervous, and I don't like it. *shrugs* I do like this selection, though I couldn't listen past the halfway point. Weird, I know.
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Soundtrack of Your Life Logo

My blog post for this activity: "Soundtrack, Feb 25, Falling in Love AgainOpen in new Window.

The associated story:
 
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STATIC
Alby's Tale Open in new Window. (18+)
On a hot night in Atlanta, Alby finds something unexpected
#2335764 by Max Griffin 🏳️‍🌈 Author IconMail Icon

Caution: very first drafty--I just finished it ten minutes ago.

and the song

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Soundtrack of Your Life Logo

My blog entry assoicated with the above activity: "Soundtracfk, February 24, The Devil Went Down to GeorgiaOpen in new Window.

The story that uses the song: "The PackageOpen in new Window.
(write to me if you want the passkey)

and the song

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Soundtrack of Your Life Logo

My blog post related to above activity: "Soundrack, Feb 23, Softly and TenderlyOpen in new Window.

Related story: "Chapter 11--Softly and TenderlyOpen in new Window. of "Dreamin' Life AwayOpen in new Window.

and a link to the song, from the movie Junebug
  •   2 comments
Hey Max, I Love this hymn! Your related story is under passkey
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👼intuey Author Icon - Email me for a passkey
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Soundtrack of Your Life Logo

My blog entry for this activity: "Soundtrack, Feb 22, Riders on the StormOpen in new Window.

The related story: "Chapter 10--Rider on the StormOpen in new Window. of "Dreamin' Life AwayOpen in new Window.

and the song
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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.

Cup Cakes For OSFW
  •   12 comments
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Allan Charles 🐾 Busy Busy Author Icon - We've got a neighbor with little girls at home. I'll message him tomorow to see if they want some.
Looks yummy!
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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)
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Soundtrack of Your Life Logo

My blog entry for today: "Soundtrack, Feb 21, Get HappyOpen in new Window.

The associated story: "Chapter 9--Get Happy, In DreamsOpen in new Window. of "Dreamin' Life AwayOpen in new Window.

The song

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