Creating the Poem
Well... the poet creates the poem! However, each poem-page has size requirements:
Lines of the poems should be no more than 47 characters long - including spaces. Find line length by highlighting the line and selecting the WORD COUNT feature in your Word menu. Word 2007 captures this in the REVIEW tab.
Each page accommodates about 20-22 lines. Longer poems are possible but will be continued onto the next page(s). Typically, the font size used is 8 or 9. We've had good results with Calibri and Palentino Linotype fonts.
Creating the Book
To create this single-page book (using Microsoft Word + 8.5 x 11" paper), set up two (2) pages with 4 columns per page. Page one contains text for poems appearing on the 'inner' pages. Page two has: End, Title, and two front pages.
Printing the book is a two-step process (read below).
Text in every column (in this Word doc) is entered toward the bottom of the pages. This link is a Word document you can use as a template; compatible 97-2003. ⇒ www.origamipoems.com/files/origami template xx for creating book.doc
And a PDF version if you are unable to access the above. ⇒ www.origamipoems.com/files/Origami template as a PDF.pdf
Printing the Book
Printing this Word-format book requires a sense of humor.
Once both pages of this Word document are populated with poems and title/end pages, print Page one. Then take this printed page from the printer, turn it 180° and reinsert it into the printer. Print the second page of the Word document. If all goes well and your printer doesn't become confused, the two pages should appear on one page.
Folding the Book
Folding perfection is not necessary, so please don't obsess. Folding details are available on the menu item, Folding an Origami Book.
Enjoying the Book
No instructions are available but sharing the
Origami Poems micro-chapbook with a friend can help.
Origami Adages
If at first you don't succeed, try, try, again - but always use scrap paper.
Rome wasn't built in a day and an Origami Poems book may take several.
Never give up. Never surrender. Never run out of toner ink.
