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Almost Time to Go

September 15, 2012 by Lauralynn Elliott

Well, it’s almost time to go. Although I do miss hubby and the animals, I’m sad to leave this beautiful place. I won’t miss Mr. Roach, though. Nor will I miss his little brother who I found resting on my pillow before I went to bed last night. I slept with the light on again. 🙂 It’s been a good trip. I finally got Soul of a Vampire ready for beta readers. I tried to get Vampires’ Curse ready for print, but I’m still having trouble with page numbers. When I finally get one problem fixed, another one crops up. I finally got the numbers right. But then when I added the blank pages needed to make sure all the chapters start on an odd number, those pages had the page numbers and headers on them, even though I started them in different sections. I’m tempted to leave those blank pages out. I’ve noticed some traditionally published books aren’t staring all chapters on odd numbered pages anymore. And I think one of them was a Stephen King. I wonder if that even matters anymore. I think it looks better, but why beat myself up over it when big publishing houses don’t all do it anymore. What to do….

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged cabin, editing, going home, page numbers, retreat, soul of a vampire, trip, vampires curse | 14 Comments

14 Responses

on September 15, 2012 at 2:50 pm | Reply Darlene Steelman

Hmm… I am not a big fan of Mr. Roach! Awesome on Soul of a Vampire.. good job, Lauralynn… I don’t know that I ever read a book whose chapters started on an even numbered page.. I’m sure it is of little importance.
Take care and good luck!
- on September 15, 2012 at 4:28 pm | Reply Lauralynn Elliott
  
  No, Mr. Roach was most unwelcome. But it’s hard to keep out critters when you’re way back in the woods like that. I’m just glad I didn’t find scorpions or spiders!
  
  Most books still start all chapters on the right side on odd numbered pages. But I’m seeing more and more books where the chapters start right after the last page of the chapter before, no matter whether it’s even or odd. It looks a little unprofessional, but it’s becoming more common. It would sure make it easier to format!
on September 15, 2012 at 4:24 pm | Reply Emma

I hate formatting so good luck with it.
- on September 15, 2012 at 4:29 pm | Reply Lauralynn Elliott
  
  I don’t mind formatting at all except for those page numbers. I have trouble with them every time, but I can usually finally get them right. This time…not so much.
on September 15, 2012 at 9:36 pm | Reply Anya Kelleye

So sad to have left. Loved being at the cabin with you, Lauralynn! I think we got some things accomplished. We’ll have to do it again sometime!
- on September 15, 2012 at 10:22 pm | Reply Lauralynn Elliott
  
  We had a blast, didn’t we? And we DID get some work done. It was a great place to stay!
on September 16, 2012 at 8:11 am | Reply Juli Hoffman

I’ve been reading through “The Dresden Files.” It’s a traditionally published series by author Jim Butcher. I’m on the eleventh book in the series, “Turn Coat.” The chapters have been starting on either page throughout the series. It hasn’t bother me any. 🙂

Glad you had a nice trip!
- on September 16, 2012 at 8:04 pm | Reply Lauralynn Elliott
  
  I guess more and more books are that way. It really does save on paper. 🙂
on September 16, 2012 at 2:48 pm | Reply C.Michael Hubbard

Sadly all good things come to an end. Congrats on ‘Soul’. And because I never paid attention or noticed I just looked at the current book I’m reading and it has chapters starting on either page, but there are nine separate divisions and those as well as the first chapter in each division start on odd numbered pages. However it’s your book so use whatever aesthetic you want, even if that means playing with those pesky numbers (that’s why I play with words they play better).
- on September 16, 2012 at 8:06 pm | Reply Lauralynn Elliott
  
  Thanks, Hubbard. I’m glad Soul is ready for betas.
  
  I’m not sure what I’m going to do. At least I saved the version before the blank pages, so I do have a version with page numbers that are correct. I’ve learned to always save before doing anything drastic.
on September 16, 2012 at 9:53 pm | Reply Mike Paulson

Congrats on your productive weekend. I wouldn’t worry about which page a chapter starts on. I’ve never cared either way. In fact, I think I’d prefer not to leave blank pages in books I’m reading, but that’s just me.

Wish you the best of luck getting back to reality!
- on September 17, 2012 at 11:57 am | Reply Lauralynn Elliott
  
  Thanks, Mike. I’ve been surprised at the number of people who say they don’t even care where a chapter starts. Maybe things are changing in that regard in the publishing world.
on September 20, 2012 at 9:24 pm | Reply Ruth Ann Nordin

I can see why that cabin was hard to leave. Ah, roaches. I spent some time down in Florida and Alabama, and I don’t miss those little guys at all. I once had one on my pillow (as well) and one scurried across my fingers when I reached to get some silverware one time. LOL But the worst was when there was a 12-inch roach on my dorm on the wall over my bed. I called in one of the guys to get that one for me. *shivers*
- on September 20, 2012 at 9:48 pm | Reply Lauralynn Elliott
  
  I really dislike roaches, but I was just thankful I didn’t see any scorpions. And even though one of the roaches was big, I don’t think it was 12 inches long!