I’ve had one confirmed brief go missing. Hopefully that’s the last one!
V, I’ve resent. Let me know if you don’t receive it in the next few minutes and I’ll think of something else.
Rog
The tab key is the editor’s bane (as are repeated spaces to create indent). Indentation should generally be achieved via the ‘Format’->‘Paragraph’ menu and setting the single line indentation there. This way paragraph indentation will be added every time a hard line break is entered.
Using the tab key will result in artificial indents that only display well in WYSIWYG editors, but often transfer poorly between software packages.
Perhaps Pigfender can confirm here; for our purpose indentation is likely moot but probably rather left out than entered by using tab keys.
Just my 2¢.
As Victoria says, it’s easier for me if you use the slidey things at the top of your word processor than by pressing the tab key. Probably easier for you too.
That said, don’t worry too much about it. Careful use of “Convert to Default Formatting”, “Show Invisibles” and the delete key will get me there.
Does everyone else have the same reaction every year when they get their brief?
Mine goes something like this:
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THAT genre… but I don’t know anything about THAT genre. I have never written in THAT genre before. Mental wards? I’ve only ever seen them under heavy sedation! Space ships? I would only go on one under heavy sedation! And now [omitted to keep the surprise]. I don’t even [omitted], let alone [omitted].
-
Alright, I’ve seen [insert TV show]. How hard can this be? Just copy what they did, but don’t suck so much.
-
Ok, I can do the paragraphs, but how in hell am I meant to tell how those kind of people really speak? I don’t hang out with those kind of people. My dialogue is going to sound about as natural as a badly acted TV soap.
-
Is that all you want me to write? I am meant to stretch that one measly paragraph into at least 1500 words of something someone would actually want to read? I can’t do that. I need more information. Give me more information. What happens next? Give me the story dammit, I can’t write under these conditions. I give up!
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Walk away from the computer*.
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Return 5 minutes later, re-read everything. Eh, its not so bad.
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Begin writing, have a ball, send it off, and forget how much I hate that first 15 minutes by the next year.
Anyway, should be fun. I love [omitted]. Some of my best friends are [redacted].
Matt
- Or write a post on the forum instead.
Note how many technical questions I have answered on the forum since the packets went out.
Yep,
I’ve just polished off an author interview and published it online for the same reason.
Oh, and I forgot to add a step… go through the ritual of spending 15 minutes setting up a Scrivener project and dragging in all the material provided, even when I know that I will only end up using a single document anyway!
In other words, I am still sitting at Step 4 waiting patiently for Steps 6 and 7 to kick in 
Matt
Hihi, the forum patter has commenced. That means NIAD has commenced! Have a good one, everyone.
As for me, I’ve read my brief, had a similar reaction to Matt and Amber, but I am now going to let it all percolate through the lovely stasis of sleep.
See you on the other end.
Remarkably similar approach to mine. Remarkably similar. Although instead of step 5, like you I chose your footnote option. Maybe time for a cup of coffee (but there’s no serfs!).
I entirely agree about tabs, but – in my own defense – I had ruled out in-Scriv formatting for indentation, since you wanted to /have/ the indentation, but were ready to accept plain text submission in the body of an email – which of course would not preserve such formatting. So, reason dictated that you must have wanted indentation by character! 
But this is no time for reason! I will send you an rtf file.
–grr
SOMEONE must be happy with their section?!!?!?!
Grumble grumble.
Don’t stress pigfender, we are more than happy with the chapters.
Just describing the feeling of panic being thrown in the deep end in someone else’s story and no compass. It happens the same way every year, and ends up being fun every year.
We all appreciate your work creating and dividing up the story!
Matt
Okay, so I got one for ya… You want these men with Italian surnames to be using British words for things? What, are you some kinna funny guy? You want they should be throwin’ people in boots and holdin’ them by the ankles at the top of a ‘lift’ shaft? That just sounds wacka-do.
Sorry, I had to get that Sopranos caricature out of my system (they’re in Portland, fer Chris’ sakes), but I do need some clarification here; how does British English fit in here? Should I use it in dialogue, or only for descriptive passages?
Edit: My reading comprehension is not very good today. Not in Portland. Right. More reading, fewer dumb questions. But I still want to understand the British English bit.
I would assume dialog should sound authentic to the character, spelling should be British English. Although, I suspect that may not mean someone gets thrown in “gaol” instead of “jail”.
Honestly, I don’t really mind if you write in American English. I probably should have picked that instead of British given the setting. Just write in whatever voice you like. Don’t be too surprised if some of your 'z’s become 's’s, though.
I’ve not looked at it yet. I’m allowing the element of surprise to get a running start. Oh, there, I think I here the pitter patter of someone’s size 22 Nike’s. TTFN. 
So, Pigfender, when was the last time you commented on the FACEBOOK page? Just curious.
About a month ago, sorry. But I’ve been doing other things, I promise!
17 hours to go and I have…
- made dedicated folder and workspace on my computer
- printed my briefing pack
- created a Scapple file
- followed some of the reference links provided by PigFender
- posted a few comments here on the boards
- cleared some email
- had lunch
- bought coffee for my wife
- corresponded with a colleague I met at a conference
- read some work articles online
What I haven’t done is address what on earth am I going to write?
I would just like everyone to know that I have spelled “scene” as “scone” three times already.
This is why I don’t outline.
Hmm… scones… I could use that!