Why You Don't Need Two Spaces

Amongst all the other things I studied in college, I took a few courses in typography and was actually the layout editor where I worked on campus.

As a result, I have an unhealthy obsession with readability/legibility.

When I read a book (or MS), some things just stick out at me so much it drives me nuts. It's not my fault, I've been trained to notice. I'm sure the majority of people don't consciously note these seemingly "minor" typography issues.

One of my biggest pet peeves? Two spaces after sentences. (Please note that I am entirely aware that this is still an acceptable typing practice, as horrifying as it is for ease of reading. I do not condemn you for your vile two-space habit if you have it.)

But, so you know, you don't need two spaces after your sentences. Here's why:

Modern computer typefaces allow proper distance between a period and the next sentence! They program it in, guys, promise.

See, back in the good ol' days when people used typewriters there was only one choice in font: courier. (GAG!!! [can you tell I have opinions on this yet?]) And on those pesky typewriters, each letter (and space) was allotted the exact same amount of room. That meant the "i" had the same space as "m" and "W." So you'd get all these awful ugly gaps of serious grossness.

Since everything was given the same space on said typewriter, you HAD to give two spaces between sentences so everything wouldn't run together in a terrible mess. Once a manuscript was all typed out like that, a typesetter would then set type in a totally different font (thank goodness) and put in the proper spacing between sentences. Then printing would ensue.

Well, word processing has come a long way since then. Now our programs give "i" a small amount of space and "m" enough room to groove. And guess what? They even put the right amount of room between sentences without you having to press that space bar twice. So give your poor thumb a rest and tap it once...if you can. (I know, I know, habits are hard to break. At least now you know it's a BAD, BAD habit;P)

Look Who Came To Visit Me!

Okay, so Kasie and Renee didn't technically come all the way here to visit me (something about families being in the area?), but they did think it would be cool to see me while they were seeing other important people. So we went to Olive Garden and had a lovely lunch and chatted about writing and our lives and all that good stuff.

I love getting together with writers; they so know where I'm coming from. And it's even more fun when you've read each other's work and can talk about what you love most with other people who've read it AND liked it.

Hope you all have a happy holiday season. I'd say I'm not gonna post...but I probably will because I just like to. So if you're bored or just need a break from the family, my blog is there for you all the way.

P.S. Don't we match my blog so well? Totally planned.

Um...I Won!

I really can't believe it, but that post on Nathan's blog says it, so I'm going with it. Wow! Tough competition; I am really shocked. Thanks to everyone who voted for me and for all the kind words despite my glaring typo (that's what you get when you type something into the comment box...).

Since I'm finishing Sealed today, I guess it's on to the ninjas! Wee!

Contest at Nathan's: First Paragraph

Nathan Bransford is spreading holiday cheer with another one of his truly entertaining contests. On the menu this time? First paragraphs. Fun Fun. I entered, of course, and if you want to enter head on over before there are so many comments the page won't load. Trust me, it happens fast.

For those who really only want to read my entry, I thought I'd post it here for you. This is the opening to a book that's awaiting attention: Relax, I'm a Ninja. It's the crazy story of Toshiro (Tosh) Ito, whose father runs a karate school...and also happens to be a ninja

According to my father, the first rule of ninjutsu is KISS: keep it simple, stupid. Of course, he says it all ninja-like, but that’s the gist. If you can walk down the street in normal clothes, there’s no need for black garb and grappling hooks. If you can kill a dude in two moves, don’t waste your time with three. And that’s why we run a karate school for all those little kids who get beat up at school—two ninjas hiding in the most obvious place, and the last spot anyone looks.