Working with Microsoft Word 97 and Microsoft Word 2000

A. Turning off Smart Formatting (before typing fanfic)

Tools->AutoCorrect

Windows Screen Shot: Tools Menu

On the task bar, go to Tools->AutoCorrect.

Note for Word 2000 users: If any of these menu choices appear not to exist, it is because Word 2000 makes rarely used choices disappear. Go to the double down arrow at the bottom of the list, and all menu choices should appear.

First tab: AutoCorrect

Windows Screen Shot: AutoCorrect

Either uncheck "Replace text as you type," or delete the line that transforms ordinary ellipses into Microsoft ellipses (both colored pink in image.)

Second tab: AutoFormat As You Type

Windows Screen Shot: AutoFormat as You Type

Uncheck these boxes (colored pink in image):

  • "Straight quotes" with "smart quotes"
  • Ordinals (1st) with superscript
  • Fractions (1/2) with fraction character
  • Symbol characters with symbols
  • *Bold* and _underline_ with real formatting
  • Internet and network paths with hyperlinks

Fourth tab: AutoFormat

Windows Screen Shot: AutoFormat

Uncheck these boxes; same as on second tab (colored pink in image):

  • "Straight quotes" with "smart quotes"
  • Ordinals (1st) with superscript
  • Fractions (1/2) with fraction character
  • Symbol characters with symbols
  • *Bold* and _underline_ with real formatting
  • Internet and network paths with hyperlinks

B. Formatting the Document (after typing fanfic)

On the task bar, go to File->Page Setup
Windows Screen Shot: Page Setup

Set your margins to:

  • Top: 1 inch (1")
  • Bottom: 1 inch (1")
  • Left: 1.25 inches (1.25")
  • Right: 1.25 inches (1.25")
Click OK to leave page setup.

Look at your font menu (below), or go to Format->Font

Windows Screen Shot: Font Menu Bar

Change your font type and size:

On your keyboard, press ctrl-a (press the ctrl key and the a key at the same time) to highlight all the text in the document. Change the font to Courier or Courier New, 12.

C. Saving in MS-DOS text with line breaks

On the task bar, go to File->Save As

>Windows Screen Shot: Page Setup

At the bottom of the screen, there is a field labeled "Save as type" with a drop-down list of choices. Scroll through the list until you find the selection MS-DOS Text with Line Breaks (*.txt). Select it, and type your file name (storytitle.txt) into the "File Name" field. Click on Save.

You have now created a text document that you should be able to attach to an email and send to Gossamer.

You also may want to save a Microsoft Word (*.doc) version of your fanfic for your own files, but don't send that version to Gossamer!

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