Quick question on indentation

[Nick B]

Do you use indentation for a new paragraph in a manuscript when using double line spacing? This would include dialogue. I know it has been discussed here but I've just spent ages looking for the thread and I cant find it, my apologies.

 

[Mouse]

Yes.

 

[Abernovo]

Yes.

The double spacing is only to make it easier for the beta/agent/editor to read. Indents make a new paragraph obvious.


EDIT: I knew I should have stopped at 'Yes'. That wee rodent is quick!

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Nowadays I tend to see an extra space between paragraphs and no indentations. That seems to be easier on the computer.

If you do not use an extra space, I would intend for every new paragraph, even if it is only one word:

 

[Nick B]

Thank you awesomely fast response team

 

[Mouse]

To expand () CHECK GUIDELINES! When I subbed to Torquere they wanted no indents and a line between paras instead. (But it's 'yes' in most instances).

 

[Nick B]

Thanks Mouse

 

[Ray McCarthy]

I write with no indent and one Enter key press for a paragraph. Fast. Then when putting in a Wordprocessor I set the paragraph Style for indent and extra space between paragraphs. Any version for submissions is a "save as" and then the required styles applied as in submission guide lines. The Master text only has bold, italic, Headings, one "newline" to indicate paragraph and nothing else.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

No extra line between paragraphs and indenting new paragraph here, too. I think that's mostly standard.

 

[Brian G Turner]

Isn't it the case that the first paragraph in a chapter is not indented?

 

[HareBrain]

Isn't it the case that the first paragraph in a chapter is not indented?

Correct (except in some SPs in my experience). Paragraphs after a line/scene break may or may not be.

 

[Boneman]

Yes to all the questions. pick up any book of a publisher you think your book will fit in with and copy what they do!

 

[Zoe Mackay]

Just a note on this - if you use Word (or other word processor) properly, you should be doing this with a Style, and you can always change the style according to the guidelines you're given. I can't imagine an agent turning down a manuscript that was formatted sensibly and was readable, just because of indent/no-indent. I can imagine them turning it down because you haven't followed guidelines.

 

[Ursa major]

Presumably those requesting a blank line between paragraphs (with or without indentation) require something to indicate a change of scene (such as extra blank lines, or the addition of a character such as #).