A Call to EA Authors: It's time for new stories.

[gellyfregy]

  means "non-breaking space", which is an instruction to the web browser not to split the line at that point.

Since web browsers collapse multiple space characters into a single space, people noticed that web browsers will let you stack up non-breaking spaces to force the browser not to collapse them into one, and started using it for simple formatting, when they should have been using a style sheet. It's one way to finesse an indent onto the beginning of each paragraph. It looks good if you are printing a document onto paper, but it breaks all the rules of text on the web. So we try to avoid using non-breaking spaces that way.

I think the editors and programmers are aware of the HTML character entities. The new editor (that will be used for new stories, and is currently used for fixing up old ones) does pretty well. But I have my doubts about trying to include instructions about HTML character entities, or other technical matters, for new submissions. It's much better to try to keep it as simple as possible for now. (It's hard enough to get people to use spellcheck!)

I know some people like the look of paragraphs with the first line indented, and/or a blank line between paragraphs. In fact, if you don't have a blank line or an indent, it makes it quite hard to spot paragraph breaks. It's possible to compose in an editor that is comfortable for you, then convert it to the format Cainanite described. FocusWriter and MarkdownPad are a couple of possibilities; Notepad++ can do a bunch of things to a document, like remove every blank line or the non-breaking spaces at the beginnings of paragraphs. Better if you can do it so Cainanite doesn't have to.

The key is probably to remember that you are not designing a document to be printed onto paper (or at least it is not the only thing). It's simpler than that. Sentences. Return at the end of paragraphs. No indent at the beginning. Spellcheck. No fonts, colors, and very little of other kinds of formatting. Maybe italics or bold used sparingly. Format as Cainanite mentioned.

Maybe in the future we can work on a few minor tweaks ... but in this case, simpler will still probably be better.

On the other hand, if you do spot a place in a story where a non-breaking space would make things better, let us know and we might fix it as time allows.

[LuckyStrike]

Just wanted to apologize to you, Cainanite. I had two stories I wanted to submit and read only the first post of this thread, so the pair include paragraph indentions! If you need me to, I can go in and edit them and re-send to the gmail so you don't have to fuss with them. Just let me know!

[Cainanite]

Just wanted to apologize to you, Cainanite. I had two stories I wanted to submit and read only the first post of this thread, so the pair include paragraph indentions! If you need me to, I can go in and edit them and re-send to the gmail so you don't have to fuss with them. Just let me know!

Don't worry about it. Just remember for future I prefer them without. Okay? Thanks.

Thanks very much for your contributions. I'll have them up soon.

[LuckyStrike]

Don't worry about it. Just remember for future I prefer them without. Okay? Thanks.

Will do!

[Rubicon String]

Is it possible to set the date of the stories, when they were added, primarily the new stories?

[Cainanite]

Is it possible to set the date of the stories, when they were added, primarily the new stories?

For right now, the best we have is the thread, Some New Stories! (<- Click it!)

Every time I add a story, that is where it goes. If you only want to read the latest, mark that thread in your favorites, and check back regularly.

Happy Reading!

Cainanite

[Rubicon String]

For right now, the best we have is the thread, Some New Stories! (<- Click it!)

Every time I add a story, that is where it goes. If you only want to read the latest, mark that thread in your favorites, and check back regularly.

Happy Reading!

Cainanite

Great idea, thank you!

[curious_guy]

Please keep the stories in 12pt type, and single spaced. DO NOT double space your entries. Do not put spaces above or below your paragraphs.

I realized that I could not write my stories without spaces between paragraphs. I write them in my regular way. When they are finished, I use the Replace function in NoteTab Standard to replace "^P^P" with "^P". I use "Replace All" and NoteTab Standard removes all the blank lines between paragraphs in one or two seconds. NotePad Light which is Freeware will do the same thing.

[DunadanElfstone]

Hey Cainanite

Thanks again for putting this all back together. Question though, I still have a few previously published stories that haven't been restored yet. Would it be less work for you if they were just re-submitted as new stories or would this just confuse the issue. Anything we can do to lighten the load let me know.

Cheers Mandler

Piggy-backing off this a little . . . I have at least two (there may be more if I think a little harder) stories that have not been put back in the archives. What kind of timeframe does this work with? Mostly, I don't want to duplicate my ideas too closely, but I cannot find my own originals anymore. :-/

[DunadanElfstone]

I have a quick question. I have a story idea. I think it's okay, but the ultimate end of the guy involves his becoming food, though it never is seen in the story. It is, rather, his alluded end. I like the story, which focuses on the stuff of desire here at EA, but I didn't want to feel as though I was shading lines.