Chapter by Chapter program

In my “Daily Vlog Challenge”, I talked about the Chapter-by-Chapter program I use for compiling a novel. Its works similar to a ‘master document’ but without the bugs and issues, and helps organize scenes/chapters into single documents that also works with  ‘find-replace’ function for all files.

This program is free, works with MS Word 97 and later, and can work with Super Notecard as well.

Here is my video-

I’m thinking of also doing a video on the yWriter novel writing program I’ve used in the past, in case readers might be interested. If so, post in comments, or mention a program you’d like to see, or another topic.

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Top 10 things you should know about word processors

Here are some of the most important things you need to know about word processors, as a writer;

1. Backup. MS Word and Open Office (and I’m sure other programs) offer a setting to back up your work. I highly recommend turning this feature ‘on’. You can set for certain times, such as every 5 minutes. This enables writers to automatically backup while they work.

Backup in MS Word (recent versions). You may need to look up your specific version of MS Word

How to create backup copy in Open office

2. Automatic saves. I know the word processors also provide the feature of automatically creating saves in timely increment. I think the default setting for MS Word is 10 minutes, but as a fast typer, I can lose quite a lot in 10 minutes. I changed it to every 5 minutes. This saves your work automatically while you work.

Autosave in MS Word

Autosave in Open office

3. Templates. Word processors offer tons of templates from the manufacturers but often times you can find users upload these to share on the Web. I’m including some links to writer-related templates; (Check your program version)

Book Manuscript and short story templates for MS Word.

Book manuscript template for Open Office

4. Find and replace feature. The find/replace feature works in nearly all word processing. You can find and replace just one event, or find all words and change as you desire. I’ve also used this feature, to find spacing or even symbols in the manuscript.

- Click Ctrl+F which will open a box to type in the word you wish to find.

Find and replace in MS Word

Find and replace in Open Office

5. Hotkeys or Keyboard shortcuts. I use these a lot when I type because it takes time to reach for the mouse to click and drag things. With hotkeys, you find the same commands do the same thing, and your hands stay on the keyboard. You can save, print, cut/copy/paste, highlight, insert auto text, change formatting, and so much more.

Hotkeys for MS Word

Hotkeys for Open office

6. You can change default settings for font and file format. Some writers find their word processor has the Ariel font as their default. Its better to change this to Times New Roman or Courier. Even Georgia and Bookman works pretty well. And why? Its to help make reading easier for the reader (or editor/agent).

The font size should also be 12 point.

How to change default font in MS Word

How to change font in Open Office

You should also think about the default save format of your document. Most settings for writers include RTF (rich text format) or DOC (MS Word), or TXT (text). Avoid using the default DOCX format.

Change other formatting settings in MS Word

7. Header and Footers. These are essential when formatting for submission. Each page should  include your last name, title, and page number. I find for my writer’s group, we also ask for email address so feedback can be sent to the author.

Headers in MS Word

Headers in Open office

8. Macros. Macros are programmable actions the program will do by assigned keys. For instance, in my journal document in MS Word, I was sick of adding the date, day of the week, and ‘goals’. I created a Macro which adds all of this with the simple Ctrl+PageUP key combo. Very handy.

Macros in MS Word, Macro for Windows XP

Macros for books

Macros in Open Office

9. Dictionary and Thesaurus. Did you know MS Word and Open Office include a built in dictionary and thesaurus? You can even edit words to include character names, settings, or odd words you’ve made up for your story. The thesaurus also helps the writer to find words that mean the same, if you’re at a loss for the right word.

How to remove a word in MS Word dictionary

Custom dictionaries for MS Word

How to use MS Thesaurus

Open office dictionaries- information about Openoffice dictionaries, how to install new ones, add thesaurus and more.

10. Spellcheck and grammar checking. I must preface this feature with a warning that programs are STUPID, they only do what they are programmed to do, and cannot use words in context. That being said, these features should not be the final method used in checking your writing.  The grammar also includes settings for formal and informal styles. For instance, you can choose the program to check for words like contractions (you’re vs you are). In some styles of writing, this is important.

Check spelling and grammar in Office

Top 10 tips for mastering MS Word’s spell check feature

Choose how spell check and grammar check work in MS Word

Spellcheck for Open office

I don’t think Open office has a grammar checker but you can find some online

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Word Processing Tips

I’m always grateful for shortcuts that make writing easier, and here are a few I’ve found lately;

 

Using the following keys, these worked for me in a number of word processing programs as well as typing online;

Ctrl + B = bolds text

Ctrl + I = italic text

Shift + F5 = moves to last edit point.

F4 = repeats the last command

Shift + Ctrl + 8 = turns on and off the Show Hide function. This allows you to see the hidden details of your formatting. It helps to understand page breaks.

Double click- highlights a word

Ctrl + click- highlights sentence

Triple click- selects the entire paragraph. You can then click, hold, and drag wherever you want.

Want to share your own tips? Post in comments.

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MS Word Shortcuts

You may not realize that MS Word offers some features known as keyboard shorts, otehrwise known as hotkeys. These speed up your work by offering a keyboard combination that takes the place of clicking a number of times.

Instead of going to File then finding Save, you can simply use Ctrl + S that does the same thing. Other hotkeys you might find useful;

Ctrl + P = Print

Ctrl + C = Copies highlighted text

Ctrl + V = Pastes the selected text

Ctrl + A = Selects all, such as all texts or even all files within the Windows Explorer window.

Ctrl + N = Opens new document.

Alt + Shift + D = inserts date

MS Word also provides some nifty short cuts for formatting text, See video below

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A link(s) to share- Word for 2007 for Writers

I have MS Word 2003, but many of these tips are useful for all the versions. Sometimes you have to look a bit harder to find the feature, but its still there somewhere.

These are links from The Writer’s Technology Companion site which I recommend subscribing to;

Posts in “Word 2007″ series

1. Word 2007 for Writers: Part 1  —  Introduction
2. Word 2007 for Writers: Part 2  —  Using Styles
3. Word 2007 for Writers: Part 3  —  Master Documents and Outlines
4. Word 2007 for Writers: Part 4  —  Fun with Sections
5. Word 2007 for Writers: Part 5  —  Proofreading and Editing Tricks

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Roger J. Carlson- free handy macros for MS Word

I mentioned this writer, Roger J. Carlson, more for his handy Macro files than writing, but he’s a writer, and therefore worthy of mention.

A few links are broken at his site, but its still well worth to visit to check out his page on Tech Tips, which includes Utilities for MS Word. They consist of highlighting the passive word, prepositions, adverb, and more. All are free.

A macro, if you don’t know, is helpful trick in word processing that speeds up processes you otherwise find tedious. For example, I use a macro in my journal to add the date, but also goals, and a place to jot down the weather. I do this with a simple click of Ctrl + HOME buttons.

More about Macros for MS Word.

If interested, let me know some ideas you’d like to see in the form of a macro that could speed up your work, as a writer. Post below.

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