I’m a writer blog

Guidelines for writing Poems, Stories and Tales

What to do with ‘blank’ chapters?

Asked by: Monica Davis

Should new chapters always start on the right?

These two pages together are called a spread. Each section of your book should start on a right-hand page. The title page is always a right-hand page, the table of contents begins on a right-hand page, chapter 1 begins on a right-hand page, and so on.

How do you write anything in chapters?

Here’s how to write a book chapter:

  1. Create a chapter outline.
  2. Build out the chapter’s structure.
  3. Write an eye-catching chapter title or headline.
  4. Hook readers with your chapter intro.
  5. Expand your story with main points.
  6. Provide a recap that summarizes the chapter.
  7. Add a Call-to-Action & transition to your next chapter.


Do chapters have to start on a new page?

Begin each chapter on a new page.



Space down about four lines (each of which is double-spaced, so it’s really eight lines). Type the word “Chapter” and the number of the chapter. This should be centered on the line. You should make this a larger than normal font size.

Should blank pages be numbered?

3) There is no need to add numbers to blank pages.



Since new chapters and sections should begin on the right side of an open book, the page to the immediate left is sometimes blank. Even though these blank pages are included in the book’s page numbering sequence, they do not need to receive a printed page number.

How do you layout a book chapter?

How to Structure the Chapters of Your Novel

  1. Start with action. …
  2. Shape around plot development. …
  3. Approach each chapter with a specific goal. …
  4. Use chapter titling to distill your focus. …
  5. Consider pacing. …
  6. Show a different point of view. …
  7. Seek balance.

How many pages should be in a chapter?

There are no rules when it comes to chapter length. The important thing is to concentrate on making your chapters fit your story, not on making your story fit your chapters. Many novelists these days prefer chapters that are between 1,500 words—or six book pages— and 8,000 words, or 32 book pages.

How long should my first book be?

How Long Should a Novel Be? If you’re writing your first novel, the general rule of thumb for novel writing is a word count in the 80,000 to 100,000 range. While anything over 40,000 words can fall into the novel category, 50,000 is considered the minimum novel length.

How do you write a chapter fast?

These are our strategies for how to write faster:

  1. Write every day.
  2. Use an outline to write faster.
  3. Avoid editing as you go.
  4. Research later.
  5. Practice your typing speed.
  6. Sit up properly to write faster.
  7. Use talk-to-text.
  8. Do writing sprints.

Where do blank pages go in a book?

Usually the book design does not work out to perfectly fill the number of pages needed, so extra blanks are placed just after the front cover and just before the back cover.

What is the blank page in a book called?

Page 1: Blank



Page 1 is also called a flyleaf. Originally, this piece of paper was used to protect your book. Nowadays, books are always provided with a book cover; the flyleaf still remains a part of a book.



What are the blank pages in a book for?

Intentionally blank pages placed at the end of books are often used to balance the folios that make up the book (see bookbinding). Often these pages are completely blank with no such statement or are used as “Notes” pages, serving a practical purpose.

What does a blank page symbolize?

As a metaphor, the ‘blank page’ indicates a starting point that is without any assumptions or vested interests. It is to cast something ‘into the wind’ without any ties in order to see which way the breeze will take it. The ‘blank page’ is a foundational move.

Why do books smell good?

Books are made up of paper, adhesive, and ink. When these materials degrade over time, they give off organic volatile compounds, which in turn produce a smell that’s appealing to readers. The reason the smell is so appealing may be because it has a hint of vanilla.

Why do book pages turn yellow?

Paper is made out of wood that consists of cellulose and the wood component lignin. Now, lignin and cellulose, both the components are prone to oxidation. And oxidation, in turn, is responsible for the paper to turn yellow and eventually brown.

How do you clean dirty book edges?

A simple and effective way to clean them is to run sandpaper. Over them to get at the edges lay the book on your work table and open the front cover.



How do I keep my book in good condition?

What Every Book-Lover Should Know about Book Care

  1. Keep Books From Direct Sunlight. …
  2. Keep Books From Water. …
  3. Keep Books From Extremes of Temperature. …
  4. Shelve and Store Books Correctly. …
  5. Do Not Store Items in Books. …
  6. Handle Books Carefully. …
  7. Dust Your Books. …
  8. Use Dust Jacket Protectors.

What is foxing in a book?

Foxing. The term ‘foxing’ describes disfiguring small yellow brown spots or blotches on paper. Two main causes are mould and iron contaminants in the paper. Moulds feed on the paper itself, as well as any dirt or organic material on it, for example, finger marks, food stains and squashed insects.

Can book mold spread?

Moldy books are a risk to a collection. Mold spores can spread from book to book through the air.

How do you clean yellowed book pages?

Some stains can often be improved with a kneaded rubber eraser or Absorene® Paper and Book Cleaner. Knead a small amount of Absorene in your hand until it is soft and rub it lightly in one direction over the soiled surface. As it picks up the stain or dirt, knead it again to freshen it.

Is foxing mold?

Foxing is the result of both mold and metal contaminants in paper. Foxing appears as brown, yellow, or red stains on the paper, often in spidery spots or blotches.



How do you remove old brown spots from paper?

How Do You Remove Brown Spots From Old Prints? Dabbing the spots with a cotton tip or brush dipped in bleaching solution will help eliminate the spots. A dampened paper can be reduced in wrinkling by applying pressure while it is drying. You should not glue, back up, or frame a print unless it has dried properly first.

Is book foxing contagious?

Foxing is not “contagious” unless it is of the organic kind caused by mold although that would likely be on materials that are organic, not on “Abby Wove” paper, Cambric etc – and even then it would be the mold that is “contagious”. Foxing can be removed completely by a Chemistry Ph.

How do you deal with foxing?

Foxing can be treated well without compromising the paper support or pigments. To a certain extent, it can be treated by utilising specific washing treatments which flush out the polluted acidic elements on the paper. However, usually to remove foxing completely you need to use a conservation standard bleaching agent.

Does foxing get worse?

They are commonly referred to as ‘foxing’ patches on the paper, a reaction with moisture caused by mould spores. They may begin as a small and easily ignored blemish, but in time they will only spread and become worse now that they are present.



How can you tell the difference between foxing and mold?

The freeze should kill off the mold. When you remove it from the freezer, place the still-sealed bag on a cooling rack and wait until the book is at ambient temperature. Before you open the bag, wipe it off with a dry dishtowel or paper towels. If, over time, the discoloration continues, it’s definitely foxing.