Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Times New Roman - The Killer of Creativity

Ah, the joys of font. Who doesn't love Georgia, Arial and Verdana? But Times? Ick! I can't stand it.

And I think I know why
.

As some of you know, in addition to my creative endeavors, I also am an academic girl. I've been in college for 9 years and I'm planning on two more before I'm finished. Earning a PhD in English is no picnic - either is teaching it (but a girl's gotta earn some cash while pursuing her publishing goals, ya know?). Hence, I'm bombarded with Times New Roman every single day!

So, you must understand why formatting my MS into 12 pt, Times New Roman font is a little heartbreaking. Suddenly my creative words loose a little bit of their spunk and the pages feel so formal, impersonal and what not. I don't even want to read the darn thing - and I love my novel!

Which is why I save formatting my MS pages until the very. last. minute. Because any second an agent is going to request a partial (heck, maybe even a full!!!) and I've gotta be prepared.

2 comments:

PV Lundqvist said...

I can understand your heartbreak, I'm a Georgia man myself.

What I don't understand is why you feel compelled to do so?

Stephanie Damore said...

Format my MS in Times? Because that's what the agent's request (or that's what their websites and submissions guidelines state).

I aim to please.