I have heard that italics should be underlined in manuscript form, not sure why that is. Should I underline all the italicized parts of my WotF entry, or just italicize them like normal?
Posted by KayTi (Member # 5137) on :
Italics are difficult to differentiate from non-italic text in a printed MS, so the conventional wisdom is to *just* underline them in printed MS. Don't do both ital and underline, that's not necessary. Just underline. That makes it clear that these words are meant to be italicized.
I'm sure extrinsic who seems to have an inexhaustible knowledge of matters of text, printing, and a bajillion other subjects will elaborate on the whys, but I'll tell you straight out - just underline the text and it's all good (I have an HM with underlined text for the internal thoughts of the MC.)
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
Okay, Zero, take a deep breath, buddy. I used standard manuscript format, as specified in this article by Vonda McIntyre. 12-point, double-spaced between lines, underlines indicating where Italics should be, page numbers in upper right, # to indicate scene breaks, one-inch margins, left-justified. I made modifications only as specified on the WotF site--title but no name on every page, and a removable cover page with all my contact info. It looked something like this:
[cover page]
Title of my story Word count My Name My address My phone number My email address
Then page one:
------page border--------
[right justified =>] Title/ page. no
Start story here... no title or anything just dive in.
#
New scene.
[This message has been edited by annepin (edited September 23, 2008).]
[This message has been edited by annepin (edited September 23, 2008).]
Posted by Zero (Member # 3619) on :
quote:Okay, Zero, take a deep breath, buddy
Yeah my stress is somewhat less than subtle, I plead guilty of that.
I'm really new to this, so I appreciate all the help.
Oh, and what font is everybody using?
[This message has been edited by Zero (edited September 23, 2008).]
Posted by extrinsic (Member # 8019) on :
As far as writers are concerned, the why of underlining italics is another vestige of manual typewriters. In the typewriting days of old an italic passage was wrapped with underscores so that a penned line could easily be drawn between them by laying a ruler on the underscored lines. Needless to say, it was a nuisance and only done as often as absolutely necessary. Before typewriters, typesetters, copyeditors, and developmental editors made such decisions as when and where to apply special formatting.
I use Courier for all manuscript submissions.
[This message has been edited by extrinsic (edited September 23, 2008).]
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
Yup, it is left over from the pre-computer era, where one couldn't switch from one typeface to another (on most typewriter models), and also, if done, sometimes couldn't be easily differentiated from the main unitalicized part of the text---which made it hard on editors and typesetters.
Posted by KStar (Member # 4968) on :
I use 12 pt. Courier New, double-space and underline instead of italicize for all submissions. I haven't received any negative feedback on my formatting.
Posted by Brad R Torgersen (Member # 8211) on :
Courier New can look rather thin on many kinds of printers.
I also use Dark Courier. Just be wary of smudging on Inkjet printers. If you print on a laser jet Dark Courier is a great font.
~Anthony
Posted by KStar (Member # 4968) on :
I haven't had any problems with Courier New, but the Dark Courier is lovely. I might just make the switch. Thanks!
Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
If you don't have a Dark Courier font, you could select all (ctrl-A) and bold the whole thing in Courier New.
Posted by KayTi (Member # 5137) on :
Just going to be the cynic here - Dark Courier font from a company that makes their money on ink???
will elaborate on the whys, but I'll tell you straight out - just underline the text and it's all good (I have an HM with underlined text for the internal thoughts of the MC.)