Guidelines for Writing A Manuscript (Book or Novel)

Guidelines for Writing A Manuscript (Book or Novel)

 

If you have a great idea for a book or novel, CreatorsVault.com offers some key points to guide your manuscript writing process. With our 2023 expanded Entertainment & Publishing IP Registry for Copyright Protection, we recommend some basic information for your writing project.

 

Set The Framework

From the editors of Writers Digest, The Writer’s Dig Blog by Brian A. Klems provides some great tips;

www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/how-towrite-a-manuscript-5-excellent-tips

1. Don’t Worry About Format Until You Are Finished.
2. Set 45-60 Minutes Per Day to Write Your Novel.
3. Outline Your Novel.
4. Write A Beginning and Ending Sentence For Each Chapter
5. Have Fun with It.

 

A few other guidelines for Book/Novel Writers to follow for your reference;

Word Count (Book Size)

• CHILDRENS CHAPTER BOOKS – approximately 16,000 words
• MYSTERY NOVELS – approximately 60,000 to 80,000 words
• THRILLERS – approximately 100,000+ words

Publishers prefer 12 point font with an average of 250 words per page.

Formatting & Submitting

Writers Digest also offers a specific resource on Formatting & Submitting your manuscript –

http://www.writersdigestshop.com/formatting-submitting-your-manuscript-paperback

• Use a standard font, 12-point type. Times New Roman, Arial, or Courier is fine.
• Use 20-lb. bond paper
• Use a 1″ margin on all sides
• Use a title page, set up the same as the title page in your package (see page 159).
• Don’t number the title page. Begin numbering with the first page of the text of the book, usually the introduction, prologue, or chapter one.
• Use a header on each page, including your name, the title of your novel in all caps, and the page number.
• Start each new chapter on its own page, one-third of the way down the page.
• The chapter number and title should be in all caps, separated by  hyphens: CHAPTER 1—THE BODY.

• Begin the body of the chapter four to six lines below the chapter title.
• Indent fives spaces for each new paragraph.
• Double-space the entire text.

The above information will set the framework for your Writing Project.

 

The Creative Process

Writers Digest also offers some excellent tips when you embark on the creative process journey.

http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/…/how-to-write-a-novel-7-tips-everyone-can-use

• Write the story you’d most want to read. Don’t write a story just because you think it might be a bestseller or that it would make a relative proud.
• Begin with character.
• Give that character a compelling problem.
• Make things happen!
• Make it believable.
• Stick with the project.

 

There are so many helpful resources you can use to supplement you creative writing process, such as;

NowNovel.com https://www.nownovel.com/blog/writing-a-good-book-10-ingredients

 

Starting with your Great Idea, just follow this sequence toward success;

1. Set The Framework
2. Create Your Story Manuscript
3. IP Register Your Manuscript for Copyright Protection (CreatorsVault.com)
4. Market Your Manuscript to Agents and Publishers, or Self-Publish

 

We have confidence that you will be successful using your Creative Skills with the guidelines and suggestions provided. Keep the creative juices flowing !

 

 

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