Monday, September 2, 2024

Writing a Book Template - A Complete Guide

Writing a Book Template - Writing Template - Layout Template

Writing a book can be challenging, but using the right template makes it easier. Google Docs offers a free, customizable book template that helps writers efficiently outline and structure their work. This platform’s features streamline the writing process, saving time and making it more efficient. Whether you're writing a book, brochure, or booklet, Google Docs provides the necessary tools to help you stay organized and complete your project smoothly.

What is Book Template?

When starting a book, having a template can be incredibly helpful. A book template is essentially a file with a layout designed specifically for writing books. Whether your project is simple or complex, a well-structured template meets the writer’s specific needs and helps organize your work efficiently. It allows writers to check different sections without endless scrolling, making the process smoother and more focused. Google Docs is a great platform for this, offering custom templates that adapt to any writing style or project length, from short pieces to novel-length works.

In my experience, using a template not only acts as a guide but also serves as a blueprint that writers can rely on. It brings together essential tools that cater to both new and experienced writers. Whether you're learning the craft or working on a long, 50,000-word project, a template helps keep everything organized and focused. This ensures that your creativity can flow smoothly, leading you to the successful completion of your project without any unnecessary distractions.

Types of Book Template?

types of book template

When creating a book, understanding the different types of templates is key. There are story templates and layout templates, each serving a unique purpose. A story template acts as a plot outline, guiding you through the structure of your book. One of the most famous is Freytag’s pyramid, which includes the exposition, inciting incident, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution, and denouement. This type of template helps you organize your narrative and ensures that your story flows smoothly from beginning to end.

On the other hand, a layout template focuses on the manuscript itself, helping you with the formatting and styles that determine how your page looks. Whether you’re using Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Adobe InDesign, or Pages, a layout template ensures your book is formatted consistently and professionally across any word processor. This attention to detail makes your manuscript more polished and ready for publication.

Why We Use Writing Template? Advantages of Story Template

Using a template can significantly benefit your writing process. A template can help you generate a structured manuscript and even utilize AI tools from Smart Writer to improve your content. Whether you're following the hero’s journey, story circle, three-act plot, or seven-point story, a template keeps you on track and ensures your reader can easily follow the story. With tools like Squibler, you can stay organized and work efficiently. This book-writing software helps writers write their books in minutes by simply adding the title, number of pages, and draft.

Additionally, story templates are valuable for overcoming writer’s block. They provide a clear path when you’re unsure of what to do next. By following a template, you avoid struggling with organization and can focus on creating a compelling narrative. The template not only helps you start but also keeps your writing process streamlined and effective.

Disadvantages of Story Template

Book templates can sometimes prescribe a fixed plot that makes it hard to deviate from traditional structures. If you want to change the structure of your book as you write and revise, sticking too closely to a template can be limiting. For example, if you decide to start with the climax or adjust the chronological order of events in a later draft, the rigid template might not accommodate these changes easily, which can disrupt the flow of your story.

Why We Use Layout Template? Advantages of Layout Template

Using a layout template can be a game-changer, especially if you’re not a designer or tech-savvy. These templates help you avoid the idiosyncrasies of formatting by handling the hard work for you. They can save you a lot of time and headache. Many manuscript templates also include designs for the front and back covers, making it a one-stop design shop. You’ll also avoid common formatting problems like orphaned words and rivers in the text, and you can easily add literary flourishes such as drop caps and unique section breaks.

Disadvantages of Layout Template

While layout templates are incredibly useful, they do have some disadvantages. They often come with restrictions on how much you can change. You might find it difficult to adjust fonts, text size, margins, and colors to suit your needs. This can be particularly limiting if you use nontraditional formatting or if you’re a poet who wants to experiment with the text looks on the page. Additionally, adding photos, drawings, illustrations, or charts may be challenging due to the formatting restrictions of the template. These limitations can sometimes hinder your creative freedom.

How to Create A Book Layout Template in Google Docs

how to create a book layout template

If you’re using Google Docs to create a book template, follow these steps to get started:

Step 1:

Log in to your Google account and open Google Docs. Select “Personal” to access the Template Gallery. You can choose a booklet template or brochure template, or create a customized book template from scratch.

Step 2: 



To make a new book template, click on “Blank.” First, set up your page by selecting “File” and then “Page setup.” Ensure margins are set to one inch, the Page orientation is “Portrait,” and the Paper size is “Letter.”

Step 3:

Next, choose your font and font size. Times New Roman and Calibri are popular choices. Use a font size of 11 or 12 for clear readability.

Step 4:

On the first page, center the manuscript title in a larger font, and put your name two lines below. Insert a Page Break by clicking “Insert” and then “Break.”

Step 5:



Add Headers and Footers by selecting “Insert” and then “Header and page number.” The Header should include your name and book title, while the Footer should display the page number.

Step 6:

Finally, set up your Headings. The main title should be H1, each chapter should be H2, and subchapters should start from H3.

Following these steps will help you create a well-organized and professional book template in Google Docs.

Book Design Layout Templates Size Guide

Book Design Layout Templates Size Guide

FAQS

What is the best template for writing a book?

The best book template includes clear sections for outline, chapters, and character development. It typically features writing paper templates for consistency, writing prompts to inspire creativity, and resources from a writing center. Make sure to tailor the template according to different grade levels or age groups to meet various educational needs.

Where can I find a book template?

You can discover a book template on educational websites, writing resource platforms, and online writing centers. Look for templates that offer a structured writing paper template to guide your format and content. Squibler is an excellent option for finding a comprehensive book template.

Is there a template in Word for writing a book?

Yes, Microsoft Word provides several book templates. You can access these by searching for “book” or “novel” templates in the template gallery within Word.

Can you write a book in Google Docs?

Absolutely. Many writers prefer Google Docs because it’s free and offers all the essential tools for crafting a book. It’s a versatile platform that supports various writing needs.

Can you use Google Docs to make a resume?

Yes, you can use Google Docs to create a resume. Simply find the Google Docs Resume template in the Template Gallery to get started.

Is Google Docs free?

Yes, Google Docs is a free platform, which is one of the reasons it’s popular among writers and other users for creating various types of documents.

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