How should I start the new paragraph for my novel?

Question

I'm currently writing my first novel and have been searching for tips on how to start a paragraph. When the story changes to a new scene or place, should the paragraph be double returned (enter,enter) or should it start on a whole seperate page? For example

Hop stared at Cab with the corners of his eyes. Lewis grabbed Hop by the shoulders laughing.
“ Ha ha. Thanks Hop. I ain't nuthin' without cha.”
new paragraph--Hop woke up a bit earlier than usual for some reason. He had a reoccurring dream about flying. This dream was different though.

Additional Details

FYI. My first draft is already completed, and I have well over 200 pages. Sorry if I confused some of you.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

The general consensus is double return for a change of scene within a chapter, and a whole separate page for a new chapter.

But I agree with what another person said. Your first goal should be to finish the novel. Your second is to go back and work on the plot and characterization.

Answer 2

You should probably be less concerned with the formatting of the text, and more concerned with the characters and how the story is going to develop. Most authors have to go back and proofread their novels many many times before it is complete, and this kind of stuff you can worry about when you have over 200 pages!

Answer 3

the enter,enter way

like two spaces below your last paragraph, and an indent

Answer 4

You start it in a consistent way with ONE enter. You can change how it appears later, with a couple of clicks on the formatting menu in your word processor.

Do you even know what a paragraph is? In your example, you have _three_ different paragraphs. Not two, as you seem to think.