I would be grateful if someone could tell be how to make my template the default for a new document without having to open it from templates. Or if that is not possible then tell me how to lobby the code gurus to change the settings to allow users to choose the default paragraph style for new documents.
The following explanation provides background to my problem that is not part of a concise question.
I’ve read a few related questions and answers regarding the proper way to create a document with a planned format and how that begins with proper titles or headings or what not styles such that following paragraphs will be created as style text body. I accept this as correct but in real life one does not always begin with the end document in sight. Sometimes documents evolve from simple text begun a notes. For me life would be so much easier if LO Writer would by default open a text document with the paragraph style being text body. I realize that I can create (and have) a template to accomplish this. But remembering to use a template when in a hurry is like remembering to check the forecast to know if I should take an umbrella when leaving for work in a hurry. I’d rather keep my umbrella in the car.