ASK A LITERARY CONSULTANT
Tech talk
Cornerstones editor Sarah Rouse runs through her top tips for using digital writing programmes, from tracking changes, to the time-saving ‘find and replace’ command
Sarah Rouse
Since agencies by and large only accept electronic submissions, most writers use word-processing software (Microsoft Word, Google Documents, Scrivener, to name a few) to author their manuscripts. However, these programmes can be daunting and difficult to navigate, particularly for first-time users. We’re here to demystify the process of writing digitally, and to give you our best tech tips and tricks!
An ode to Track Changes
Track Changes is a function of Microsoft Word that, when enabled, helps you keep track of edits to a document, with changes that can be accepted or rejected at a later time. If you’re working in Word, you should find Track Changes under Tracking in the Review panel. Once you toggle on Track Changes, you can essentially redline your work. Deleted words or paragraphs will appear as struck-through, insertions will appear in red, and you can then go through the suggested changes in the sidebar to accept/reject as you see fit.