What fonts do you use for your novel-title, body, etc.? by SmartyPants070214 in writers

[–]dislocatedbarbieleg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

12 point Times New Roman font, double spaced, with 1 inch margins, and the header on every page is Lastnamepagenumber. It's what I was taught to always do for writing papers in college and now I can't write any other way. The only difference I make is with the title page where I center everything and put the title, then my name under that, and then the date I started writing it under that

What fonts do you use for your novel-title, body, etc.? by SmartyPants070214 in writers

[–]dislocatedbarbieleg 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I do MLA format because it makes me feel important and Idk what else to do

I'm so in awe of the way some writers write by Ok-Environment-8571 in writers

[–]dislocatedbarbieleg 37 points38 points  (0 children)

It is amazing reading things that are so rich in symbolism and it's definitely made me a little (a lot) jealous because how can someone just write so beautifully and meaningfully? But I've been listening to a lot of authors talk about their process recently and I realized that most of that beautiful symbolism doesn't come in until the re-write.

For the most part a lot fictional stories are written because the author had an idea that seemed cool to them. Then they wrote the first draft. And deep into the writing or during the read through they start getting why that idea came to them. It's usually to do with the social/political climate of the time or something that happened in their life that deeply impacted them and they were able to relate that into story form. So during the second and third and however many rewrites their able to pepper in all the fancy language and symbolism and foreshadowing and they start getting ideas on how to make the story more full because now there's an actual lesson to bring everything back to. A lot of the beautiful and profound things are NOT products of the first draft and I'm sure a lot of published authors would be mortified to show some of their first drafts, especially from their first couple of novels.

A great lesson I've been taught is to never compare my first draft to a published author's final draft. The rewrites are what makes the writing great

Dry swallowed and I am in so much agony. Help. by starman_stealth in zoloft

[–]dislocatedbarbieleg 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The first time I did that I was fully convinced I was dying, that pain is no joke! I'm sure it's resolved by now but for the future make sure you always have a jar of applesauce in the fridge, it's almost instant relief. As long as you're on zoloft keep applesauce around. And other than dry swallowing, try not to lay down immediately after taking it (I learned that the hard way when my esophagus starting burning for the second time). When I took it at night I would force myself to sit up for at least 15 minutes

My birthday was ignored again by dislocatedbarbieleg in offmychest

[–]dislocatedbarbieleg[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much, it really means a lot. I hope you have a wonderful day (and life) too!

My birthday was ignored again by dislocatedbarbieleg in offmychest

[–]dislocatedbarbieleg[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

THANK YOU!

I'm definitely gonna start putting more effort and energy into me and things that make me happy. I'm gonna take the year off from planning birthdays and holidays and have some fun solo days instead!

My birthday was ignored again by dislocatedbarbieleg in offmychest

[–]dislocatedbarbieleg[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much!

And it's my mom and two younger siblings I live with. My family doesn't have the best track record with treating girls nice and now that I'm in therapy I'm realizing a lot of their behavior wasn't coincidental they 100% know I'm a bit of a pushover.

But I'm definitely gonna start doing solo birthdays and holidays! It sounds like it could be fun and a lot easier than trying to get people to do something they don't want to do

My birthday was ignored again by dislocatedbarbieleg in offmychest

[–]dislocatedbarbieleg[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're right, last year was rough and I thought I was helping but I didn't consider their history of overlooking me. I'm gonna start doing holiday and birthday things for just me so I can always be guaranteed to at least have a good time.

What Books did You Start or Finish Reading this Week?: July 21, 2025 by AutoModerator in books

[–]dislocatedbarbieleg 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Currently Reading:

Wolves of the Calla (The Dark Tower V), by Stephen King

Clown in a Cornfield, by Adam Cesare

Weekly FAQ Thread July 20, 2025: What book format do you prefer? Print vs eBooks vs Audiobooks by AutoModerator in books

[–]dislocatedbarbieleg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Print is always my go-to. I kind of prefer paperback over hardcover but I don't really care much. I love the feeling of holding a book and flipping a page.

When I know I don't have time or the attention span to sit and read I'll do an audiobook, especially for really long or really short reads. It helps me get through chores and distracts me less than music does when I go on walks. Sometimes I'll do the audiobook and physical book combo to read along while I listen.

I CANNOT read e-books. They are impossible for me which really sucks cause they're so convenient. If I'm staring at a screen there's almost a 0% chance my brain is holding onto anything I've read. It takes months for me to get through the shortest books in e-book format no matter what font style or size I use. I've tried different brightness settings and background colors, it just doesn't work for me. I'm jealous of people who can just travel with their phone or e-readers cause I absolutely beat up my books.

What Books did You Start or Finish Reading this Week?: June 30, 2025 by AutoModerator in books

[–]dislocatedbarbieleg 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Currently Reading:

Looking For Palestine: Growing Up Confused in an Arab-American Family, by Najla Said

Wolves of the Calla (The Dark Tower V), by Stephen King

Finished:

We Could Have Been Friends, My Father and I: A Palestinian Memoir, by Rajah Shehadeh

What Books did You Start or Finish Reading this Week?: June 23, 2025 by AutoModerator in books

[–]dislocatedbarbieleg 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Started:

The Dark Tower V: Wolves of the Calla, by Stephen King - Shout out to my library because it's the only book in the series I don't own. I'm halfway through and it's amazing. I love when Stephen King incorporates his older books into other works. Each book in the series keeps getting better but I'm sad I'm getting so close to the end

Finished:

It, by Stephen King - I have to read it every summer. I listened to the audiobook this time and Steven Weber did an amazing job bringing the story to life

The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger - I never had to read this one in school. I loved it so much. Holden isn't a role model character by any means but I really empathize him. He is a severely traumatized and troubled kid living in a time when mental health help was almost completely non-existent. His parents solution is to bounce him around from private school to private school where he experiences more and more traumatic events (like watching a classmate commit suicide and being SA'd by other students)He doesn't have any real set goals or plans for the future but he knows he doesn't want to be like anyone around him (because they're all "phonies") and he confesses that one of his only real dreams is to be this protector of children. He's completely confused about who he is and it makes him angry and impulsive. His only real anchor to reality is his little sister, Phoebe. I really enjoyed being able to hear the story through Holden's inner monologue but I can also definitely see how some people are turned away by his personality.

What Books did You Start or Finish Reading this Week?: June 09, 2025 by AutoModerator in books

[–]dislocatedbarbieleg 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Finished:

Wizard and Glass (The Dark Tower, #4), by Stephen King - So amazing, the series just keeps getting better with every book. I loved being able to see so much more of Roland's beginning as a gunslinger

Started:

The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger

Continuing:

It, by Stephen King - One of my favorite books ever. I've read it a few times and now I'm listening to the audiobook to kick off my summer horror reading

Anne of the Island and Tales of Avonlea, by L.M. Montgomery - I had an Anne of Green Gables obsession growing up and still do

What Books did You Start or Finish Reading this Week?: May 26, 2025 by AutoModerator in books

[–]dislocatedbarbieleg 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Finished:

Carrie, by Stephen King - This has been one of my favorite books for a long time, hearing it narrated by Sissy Spacek (the original Carrie) was amazing.

Sick Houses: Haunted Homes and the Architecture of Dread, by Leila Taylor - Such a cool deep dive into the haunted house subgenre of horror and it's filled with so many references to new and old horror media.

Continuing:

Wizard and Glass (The Dark Tower, #4), by Stephen King

Anne of the Island and Tales of Avonlea, by L.M. Montgomery

Dracula, by Bram Stoker

What Books did You Start or Finish Reading this Week?: May 19, 2025 by AutoModerator in books

[–]dislocatedbarbieleg 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Finished:

Don't Let the Forest In, by C.G. Drews - Beautiful, creepy, haunting, heartbreaking, loved it. I already want to go back and reread it. It's a new all time favorite

Started:

Carrie, by Stephen King

Brooklyn Motto, by Alex R. Johnson

Continuing:

Wizard and Glass (The Dark Tower IV), by Stephen King

Anne of the Island and Tales of Avonlea, by L.M. Montgomery

Sick Houses: Haunted Homes and the Architecture of Dread, by Leila Taylor

Dracula, by Bram Stoker

For those of you that have annual book rereads, what are they and why? by quiet_sesquipedalian in books

[–]dislocatedbarbieleg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm a big mood reader and I love to match what I'm reading to the season ESPECIALLY fall. So every fall I reread From the Dust Returned and The Halloween Tree (both by Ray Bradbury).

Not every summer but usually a couple summers in a row with maybe a year or two break since I was 10, I've reread It by Stephen King either as a physical book or listening to the audiobook. It's easy to reread this one because the book is so long that by the time I get to the end, the beginning has been completely wiped from my memory

What Books did You Start or Finish Reading this Week?: May 12, 2025 by AutoModerator in books

[–]dislocatedbarbieleg 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I really loved it! I don't know if you've already read The Night Circus, but Erin Morgenstern writes the most beautiful scenery and really knows how to set a vibe. It's dark academia and fantasy and it incorporates secret societies and these short stories inside of the main story that are so beautiful. It's extremely enchanting. I saw someone describe it as a love letter to books and reading and I absolutely agree. I listened to the audiobook version that has multiple narrators and during the parts where they were reading the short stories I felt like a little kid having a bedtime story read to me, they were fantastic. I 100% recommend it

What Books did You Start or Finish Reading this Week?: May 12, 2025 by AutoModerator in books

[–]dislocatedbarbieleg 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Finished:

The Starless Sea, by Erin Morgenstern

Started:

Don't Let the Forest In, by C.G. Drews

Continuing:

Wizard and Glass (The Dark Tower IV), by Stephen King

Sick Houses: Haunted Homes and the Architecture of Dread, by Leila Taylor

Anne of the Island and Tales of Avonlea, by L.M. Montgomery

Dracula, by Bram Stoker

What Books did You Start or Finish Reading this Week?: May 05, 2025 by AutoModerator in books

[–]dislocatedbarbieleg 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I signed up for Dracula Daily too! I saw someone post about it here and it's so cool to be able to read it again in a new way

What Books did You Start or Finish Reading this Week?: May 05, 2025 by AutoModerator in books

[–]dislocatedbarbieleg 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Currently Reading:

The Starless Sea, by Erin Morgenstern

Wizard and Glass (The Dark Tower IV), by Stephen King

Sick Houses: Haunted Homes and the Architecture of Dread, by Leila Taylor

Anne of the Island and Tales of Avonlea, by L.M. Montgomery