Inserting a larger than normal gap between SOME paragraphs - Page 2

Toxaris · 07-08-2014, 03:52 AM

There could be more than one reason to have a break. I have seen many books that use the asterisks for a big change in scene or time and a normal break for a small change in setting.

HarryT · 07-08-2014, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toxaris

There could be more than one reason to have a break. I have seen many books that use the asterisks for a big change in scene or time and a normal break for a small change in setting.

In printed books, it's more common to use "***" when a scene break occurs at the bottom of the printed page, and simply a gap when it occurs in the middle of a page, but that approach really doesn't work for an ebook, where the page break could occur anywhere.

Tex2002ans · 07-08-2014, 06:21 AM

Or you could put a gap + noindent as your scene break. This would work well in a physical book, ebook, at the top, or middle, or bottom of the page.

HarryT · 07-08-2014, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tex2002ans

Or you could put a gap + noindent as your scene break. This would work well in a physical book, ebook, at the top, or middle, or bottom of the page.

Yes, you should certainly not have an indent on the paragraph immediately following a scene break, which is fine - if you're indenting your paragraphs.

eschwartz · 07-08-2014, 09:28 AM

Why should there not be an indent right after a scene break? I know that seems to be the habit, but I never actually figured out a reason why.

JSWolf · 07-08-2014, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Why should there not be an indent right after a scene break? I know that seems to be the habit, but I never actually figured out a reason why.

Because it helps the reader to know that it's the start of a new scene.

Jellby · 07-08-2014, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Why should there not be an indent right after a scene break? I know that seems to be the habit, but I never actually figured out a reason why.

Because that's the custom... in English typesetting.

I guess the underlying reason could be that the main function of the indent is to mark the beginning of a paragraph, and if there's a vertical space that's not needed.

HarryT · 07-08-2014, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Why should there not be an indent right after a scene break? I know that seems to be the habit, but I never actually figured out a reason why.

Because it's once again an "initial paragraph", because of the break, and the convention is that initial paragraphs aren't indented.

eschwartz · 07-08-2014, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Because it helps the reader to know that it's the start of a new scene.

That is what the margin/weird blank paragraph/paragraph of asterisks is for.

I do not see why both are needed, unless you are afraid the margin just isn't noticeable enough. In which case, why are you using it?

Tex2002ans · 07-08-2014, 08:38 PM

You are all wrong, it is my way or the highway!

eschwartz · 07-08-2014, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tex2002ans

You are all wrong, it is my way or the highway!

I am just curious where the concept comes from.

JSWolf · 07-08-2014, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eschwartz

That is what the margin/weird blank paragraph/paragraph of asterisks is for.

I do not see why both are needed, unless you are afraid the margin just isn't noticeable enough. In which case, why are you using it?

And the best answer is...

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Because it's once again an "initial paragraph", because of the break, and the convention is that initial paragraphs aren't indented.

JSWolf · 07-08-2014, 11:19 PM

When I see eBooks that have initial paragraphs with indents, what I think of is that there is a mistake in how the eBook was made.

GrannyGrump · 07-09-2014, 02:53 AM

But there are quite a number of printed books that do indent the initial paragraph. Seems to appear fairly often, up until at least the mid-twentieth century.

Typesetters striking their blow for indepence?

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07-08-2014, 03:52 AM	#16
Toxaris Wizard Posts: 4,520 Karma: 121692313 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Heemskerk, NL Device: PRS-T1, Kobo Touch, Kobo Aura	There could be more than one reason to have a break. I have seen many books that use the asterisks for a big change in scene or time and a normal break for a small change in setting.

07-08-2014, 06:21 AM	#18
Tex2002ans Wizard Posts: 2,306 Karma: 13057279 Join Date: Jul 2012 Device: Kobo Forma, Nook	Or you could put a gap + noindent as your scene break. This would work well in a physical book, ebook, at the top, or middle, or bottom of the page.

07-08-2014, 09:28 AM	#20
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	Why should there not be an indent right after a scene break? I know that seems to be the habit, but I never actually figured out a reason why.

07-08-2014, 08:38 PM	#25
Tex2002ans Wizard Posts: 2,306 Karma: 13057279 Join Date: Jul 2012 Device: Kobo Forma, Nook	You are all wrong, it is my way or the highway!

07-08-2014, 11:19 PM	#28
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 81,222 Karma: 150263711 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	When I see eBooks that have initial paragraphs with indents, what I think of is that there is a mistake in how the eBook was made.

07-09-2014, 02:53 AM	#29
GrannyGrump Obsessively Dedicated... Posts: 3,255 Karma: 35164265 Join Date: May 2011 Location: PA {back in the usa!} Device: Sony PRS-T2, ADE on PC	But there are quite a number of printed books that do indent the initial paragraph. Seems to appear fairly often, up until at least the mid-twentieth century. Typesetters striking their blow for indepence?