Normally Word opens in Print Layout view, which can be uncomfortable (slower editing, smaller fonts, etc).

Print Layout view is useful before printing and whenever one adjusts the layout of a document, but perhaps during normal writing draft mode is more convenient, unless one writes a few pages only.

Even if you select Draft view, the next time you open Word it still uses layout view! To change this go to Word Options > Advanced > “General”, and mark the checkbox “Allow opening a document in Draft view“.

In this view the lines of a document may flow outside the visible area of the document.

To fix this, go to Word Options > Advanced > “Show document content”, and mark the checkbox “Show text wrapped within the document window“.

Being yourself an author or student you will perhaps appreciate especially this feature, that the very structure of the book will teach you how to work. The book contains even chapters on how to prepare a document for professional publishers such as Amazon. Reading Steven Adams' Writing a book or thesis in Microsoft Word you are surprised realizing it makes you want to work -- to think, write, use Word and be creative!