PoetrySoup :: Using a Word Processor

Ciao amici !

I normally use a word processor when writing. But I soon discovered that I cannot copy/paste my work directly into the Submit Poem form on PoetrySoup. I checked the forums and saw that many people had problems copying work from a word processor, so what follows is the process I use.

I work on a MacOS system and use Apple Pages or Google Docs for my work. It has been many years since I worked with Microsoft Word but I have done my best to indicate how to work with that word processor.

If you have not read my post PoetrySoup :: Typography I, I suggest that you read it before continuing.

Step One - set up the word processor

The first thing to do is to set up the page. The idea is to display our work in the word processor as it will appear on PoetrySoup.

1. Set the font to Verdana or Ariel (the PoetrySoup default fonts) if you have them installed or to another san-serif font, e.g. Helvetica. If you are going to use the instructions for using a serif font I give in my post PoetrySoup :: Typography II, set the font to Times or Times New Roman.
2. Enable the display of hidden characters. In Apple Pages, use the menu item View >> Show invisibles or press Command+Shift+I all at the same time. (The color of invisible characters can be set in the Pages "preferences"). In Microsoft Word, press Control+Shift+8 all at the same time. In Google Docs, you need an add-on, which I do not recommend.

Step Two - composing

1. Enter your work in the normal fashion. However, be sure to end each line with a "hard" return, that is with the "Return" key. Do not use a soft "Return" (Shift+Return). If you have show hidden characters enabled, each line should end with a "paragraph" character ( ¶ ) .
2. Do not use any special formatting such as a line indent. However you may use the formatting bold, italics and center as these are allowed on PoetrySoup.
3. If you need to indent a line or lines, use space or tab characters which will display as a ( · ) or ( → ) respectively if you have show invisible characters enabled.
4. Save your work in the normal format for your word processor.
5. I print a copy of the finished work for reference later.

Step Three - convert to simple text format.

• Apple Pages: select File >> Export to >> Plain text from the Pages menu.
• Microsoft Word: select File >> Save As >> Plain text or .txt from the Word menu.
• Google docs: select File >> Download >> Plain text from the Docs menu.
• Be sure to take note of where the file is saved.

Step Four - Prepare to copy to PoetrySoup

1. Open the file just saved in a plain text program such as TextEdit (MacOS) or Notepad (Windows).
2. Check that the file is displayed in plain text. You should not see any html information.
3. Check that each line of your work is on a separate line. If not, add new line (paragraph) characters.
4. Add spaces or tab characters if needed.
5. Insert any formatting (, or tags) as needed.
6. save your work.

Step Five - copy to PoetrySoup

1. Select and copy the entire work from your plain text program.
2. Paste the work into the PoetrySoup poem field
3. Finish the remainder of the information requested by PoetrySoup and submit it.
4. Check your work as displayed by PoetrySoup and make any corrections necessary.

I hope this helps you when working with a word processor to prepare a poem for PoetrySoup. Good luck. - Beto