Proper Manuscript Formatting (Microsoft Word/Scrivener demo)

[@constellationally]

I love all the "nobody yelled at me" disclaimers. It's very reassuring for a people pleaser like me

[@dewainsavage3112]

This combined with your other videos is great stuff, especially for a 76 year old trying to learn Scrivener. I agree it makes writing so much easier than word alone.

[@TenantUnpleasant]

I know this is an old video, but as an aspiring novelist, this was an issue I was a little apprehensive about. This information is clear, concise, and useful. Thank you so much for suggesting Scrivener. I'm going through the long-haul tutorial and I'm finding myself adoring this program already. Scrivener has earned another customer and Alexa Donne has earned another subscriber. Great video!

[@Morgan_le_they]

Considering how old this video is, I doubt you’ll actually see this comment, but I have to say your Scrivener proselytizing has worked with me. I’m a convert. Especially after I found out about the project goals gauge. That has changed my life and my writing sessions.

[@sherrylalonde5719]

No mention of margins. How much space do you put in at either end and how many spaces before a new paragraph? Also how do you format to do this in Scrivener? I'm a little confused as to whether or not all these settings are only applied when you're going to compile or while you're working your way through a draft in Scrivener. Thanks for the helpful videos!

[@Nayukuo]

This was a great video! I have a lot of weird anxiety about manuscript formatting, so seeing that Scrivener can do it mostly automatically for you with a few adjustments is so incredibly relieving. And I think you may have just done what a dozen other writers on youtube couldn't - convinced me to buy scrivener! (although I'll wait until after nanowrimo so I can use the winner's code for a discount, because I'm impressed but also poor)

[@AlexaDonne]

Ooh yay! November is actually Scrivener month on the channel! I'm going to do a bunch of how-to videos :D

[@jaelvb]

Hi, Alexa. Question, what would be a middle grade children's book manuscript's accompany? How to write a cover letter and resume about that genre of book?

[@jaelvb]

Hi, Alexa. Question, what would be a middle grade children's book manuscript's accompany? How to write a cover letter and resume about that genre of book?

[@semblanceoftruth]

Where do the chapter titles come from then? Are you just putting them as part of your body text?

[@mindychristie]

I have a journal format with 75 right side pages and need to add the accompanying left side pages (on Scrivener). how do I do that?

[@bergfridskaaradias2071]

Would be interested in an update geared toward self-publishing in general and Kindle specifically.

[@karonmorono1996]

Hello Alexa - In my Scrivener program, there is no folder marked "Manuscript Format", or "Title Page". They are completely missing. My set-up is not the same as yours. Can you help please because I'm ready to toss everything into the trash after a week of dealing with formatting glitches in both Word & Scrivener. Thank you so much.

[@mysticalarchives7821]

How does format change if you have the story split into parts one, two, etc.?

[@mikefinley4367]

You need a word doc to export to from Scrivener? Does scriv have a spell check, any editing programs? A one time fee and ability to work offline is a real plus. I would hope a manuscript can be printed out from this program?

[@karonmorono1996]

I do not even have the possibility to use the "compile" dialogue box for formatting in any layout - custom or not. I think my Scrivener program is dysfunctional for some reason. I'm hoping you will be able to assist. Thank you!

[@gersendedupont1654]

Hi Alexa, loved your videos on Must Know Thriller Beats and Plot your thriller. Could you make more videos on thriller stories, twists, building tension, etc? Would be fab, thanks!

[@Alfscan777]

What about if you are writing for a journal that requires APA style formatting.. how do you do that in Scrivener???? You video was good but it will not help me if I can not format in APA

[@mikefinley4367]

Two questions. 1) Does Scrivener allow direct printing so Word, isn't needed? (2) How many double spaced actual written lines are standard on a page?

[@JonTanOsb]

Too complicated for an old man. I started with Word Perfect, then went to Microsoft Word. It works for everything I need. Chapter first page, I eyeball halfway down. I use Courier New 12 point. No one has complained. I also put the title before my surname. That's the way it used to be done. Has that changed? Other than that, formatting seems the same as when I started. ~ Jon

[@gordonwarden-c9v]

Jon, I agree with you. Take a look at Vellum, you just upload your Word doc and it's done. It's expensive, however a one-cost when you're writing more than one book....good luck!

[@ItWILLbeWONDERFUL_THERE]

Oh! WORD PERFECT! How lucky can you get! The good old days where you could write, FREE of SOCIAL MEDIA, which didn't exist in those days ! (even LUCKIER for you) and you could write without the internet. A good old fashioned word processor, where Microsoft wasn't gouging you every year. I so envy you. SIGH! I have a project finished and I want to format. But I've been on any number of sites and all of them have at least one rule that is different from the others. WELL....taking a page from THE DISASTER ARTIST, I am going to pull a Tommy Wiseau and just find a format that works for me. I'm getting TOO much conflicting information.

[@DrVVVinK]

@@ItWILLbeWONDERFUL_THERE George RR Martin still writes on Word Star, a DOS program.

[@nolakatemusic7735]

Can I use this formatting method when I upload to Kindle Direct Publishing?

[@yvettemoreel4237]

I'm so new to this program and frustrated. I tried so many times to compile my short story children's book double spaced and when I compile the spacing is all wrong. The words are jammed up and it's awful. I try to fix this so many times. Scrivener is great however I am having major issues compiling.

[@karonmorono1996]

I am also getting duplicate chapter titles in each chapter folder at the top of the template for chapters and I cannot correct this.

[@thairston1]

On the next page, when I paste text on the page, and I do paste using unformatted text when it goes to the next page, it will go too far down the next page. How do I correct that?

[@geozipper]

What about hash tags between sections that are spaced off from one another BUT not a separate chapter?

[@darrickholt2013]

I've just started writing, and I finally decided to start on this idea that's been brewing in my head. How do you recommend me going about self publishing? All ebooks or POD and ebooks?

[@coralreeves4276]

Better ask Jenna Morecci for that, Alexa is in trad pub.

[@serenitymeyer461]

Are you supposed to have the pages you send when querying agents formated like this ? Double spaced and everything?

[@beata_maruda]

You can do ALL of this in MS Word - there are styles (you can change their look, add new from how you formatted something, formulas etc. No need to have two programs, that do the same.

[@zaranueva]

I agree wholelly. I will add, though, that there are some tools to help organize the book and save research and reference materials. That said, if you don't need those functions, absolutely don't need a second app.

[@90stalgiaTV]

I've been wondering as far as italics, are italics acceptable these days when using Courier font, at least as far as online submissions for short stories are concerned? I always see articles and advice pieces saying that italics should only be used when the story is in Times New Roman, and that because Courier font can make italics difficult to read, underlining should be used instead as a way to let the editor know that you want those words italicized. I can't seem to find a consistent answer to this on the internet lol.

[@Amelijap]

scrivener gives me # do I leave those in or not?

[@KutWrite]

Thanks for the info. I had to say goodbye to Scrivener. I use Linux, under which Scrivener worked fine using the Wine Windows Emulator. I upgraded Linux though and guess what? The new version won't use Wine. I was prepared, though, with a compiled Word version of each chapter. I knew this could happen some day because Scrivener smilingly refuses to support Linux. So... on to use my Word-equivalent, LibreOffice. Not the best situation, but... it'll have to do. When I start my next novel, I'll try Manuskript, though it hasn't been updated in two years. Here I go...

[@mininovaband]

Please help, I got a request from an agent but I can't figure out how to fulfill this guideline. "Auto Return: 0.5” (no tabs)" Thank you. I'm writing in Google Docs.

[@alexandrastefan4022]

Hi Alex. Lov3 your channel. Please i need some help here: Can you explain how to format foe kindle since epub compile is not accepted into kindle previewer, compile to mobi cannot be done without kindle gen and since kindle gen does not exist anymore? Im facing this issue and i don't seem to find any answers online. All videos are out of date and do not include the latest changes.

[@keithpromsakha5239]

I love Scrivener. Thanks for the video. Very helpful.

[@MrDrumGodsey]

Alexa...Great vids BTW! Question, I’m toying with breaking up my chapters into shorter ones cause I like shorter chapters, for formatting and submission purposes do you HAVE to start a new chapter on a new page or can you do “mini” chapters like Stephen King does as an example, kind of a weird question I know...thanks!

[@BeckyMa9482]

I had no clue why my italics went underlined. Thank you!

[@DrVVVinK]

Yep, it goes back to the days of typewriters.

[@cj3720]

I am in process with a manuscript the author wants formatted to a 5 x 8 page; how would you suggest I set this up in Scrivener to come out as she requested?

[@monster-enthusiast]

Is it bad to type your first draft in Google docs? Should you switch to Word?

[@treadnokash7598]

Im an aspiring novelist.is this how to make original copy of my novel.it feels like in the future ill be needing to prove that i write this.

[@jessicascreenwritingservices]

Thank you so much for this! Lifesaver!

[@milomazli]

thank you Alexa!!

[@Sam-hn3pf]

If your chapters have titles, where would you put that?

[@SysterYster]

I'm going to assume that the pare numbering can be either a header or... footer? At the bottom? :P

[@SysterYster]

Double space is gonna make mine more than 800 pages XD

[@banettenighmare8645]

Same!!

[@SysterYster]

@@banettenighmare8645 The over-writer's dilemma. :P

[@meenakumaraguru8446]

Hey Alexa, love your videos. How long is the typical chapter when you format it on word?

[@juliesit5344]

Thanks for this video. I’m starting to use Scrivener today for first time. How did you set indentions for your manuscript? Also when you were typing your manuscript, did you do it single spaced and then changed it to double space in compile? Also to indent while typing you hit tab right. Someone had said no to and it got me to wondering.

[@TheTimeProphet]

I know they double space, but I don't find double space easier to read. It ruins my flow of reading.

[@lastjuliet788]

Hello miss Alexa , can you sketch and draw with it , I am so new to this , I want free tools help me to draw , like in poetry books right now !

[@cinnsuamongar]

Can't figure out how to double space in Scrivener. Am I just missing something that is self evident? Will Scrivener do the chapter titles for you or do I need to do the thirteen spaces? Ah, I am using 18 point font. :(

[@banettenighmare8645]

Hi! To do double space in Scrivener go to the line spacing bar and set it to 1.5 and from my test prints it does auto do the chapter spacing however definitely do test prints first to be sure. ☺️

[@elsieschmaltz6754]

Very good

[@getkraken8064]

In the age of POD, I deem it more efficient for a writer to at least have the option of submitting their book as a POD, if they have such available. The publisher or agent only needs the book to be able to read it and make their decision. Much simpler to read a book than a pile of 400+ pages of 8x11. Thus the creation of "books". If they are not interested, they can return the copy of book much cheaper and more efficient than the standard brick of ms pages. If they are interested, then send them the bulky pile of 8x11 they need for making comments, editing, etc. But they only really need an actual book to read for assessment purposes. Save a lot of postage and printing expense for the would-be authors. Let's live in 2023 not 1923.

[@bergfridskaaradias2071]

I've got 2 questions about Scrivener, if you don't mind. 1. Do you add inline formatting such as italics while drafting or during editing? 2. I'm gearing up for my first nanowrimo, and have decided to buy Scrivener. However, the discount depends on whether you win or not. In your opinion, is it worth getting it now and set up the outline there before Nov. 1st - or wait and treat yourself with a higher discount when you (hopefully) win?

[@screablue]

Hi Alexa, I recently finish my novel and I was wondering if there are specific characteristics for a book to be YA. You see, I wrote it without thinking who will read it and now that I'm done, I have no idea if it's YA or adult. Thanks in advance 😁

[@AlexaDonne]

My best resource for this topic is /r/YAwriters... we've had some great discussions on it, and other authors define it well! Here is one: www.reddit.com/r/YAwriters/comments/2ysrma/discussion_the_differences_between_adult_and_ya/ My podcast also did our first episode on it!: upvoteya.tumblr.com/post/146752636042/welcome-to-the-first-episode-of-the-upvoteya Hope that helps!

[@screablue]

Thank you so much! I will check those out!

[@paulskertich9345]

Thanks for the amazing video. It helped me a lot. :)

[@gordonwarden-c9v]

I've just tried Vellum. Very good. Upload your Word file and that's it.

[@bookformattingexpert8121]

But unfortunately it is only available for mac

[@prayergrounds]

Hello Alexa, thank you for your insights and spot-on help. I recently discovered your videos and find that you are worth following. I have two novels, one on a [hesitate to say] final draft and another first draft. My question is this, should you make a video or point me to one if you already did so: What does your second draft process look like? I find it to be more difficult than writing a first draft. Thank you!

[@AlexaDonne]

This is a great question, and one I will cover soon! My plan for the month of December is to make a series of videos on revision, so I'll definitely cover what happens after draft one. :)

[@M1GTYM0U53]

Super helpful! Thank you for this video :)

[@tattoolover5753]

Love the video

[@lindacobo1744]

Quick question did you have your book finished in Microsoft Word then import to Scribner to have it formatted. Basically I am trying to figure out if I have a word document formatted then import it will it cause more problems than it solves?

[@tatumhalligan9177]

Linda Cobo she writes in scrivener and then moves it to Word

[@benmcelwain5301]

Do agents still want paper manuscripts?

[@AlexaDonne]

No. 99% of them are completely digital. It's a very very rare bird who still wants a physical manuscript. Publishing houses too. I can't think of a single one who doesn't want digital submissions.

[@blacktasticmedia3769]

Awesome content, very good channel. l just subscribed...

[@paulskertich9345]

Great tutorial video! I made the same tutorial as well for making manuscript template in Microsoft Word. I hope all is well, Alexa! :) Thanks for the insightful knowledge on KZbin and Reddit. :)

[@richardwilson8427]

Are authors supposed to send their full manuscripts via the mail or email?

[@AlexaDonne]

Publishing has completely modernized and almost all communication and work is done digitally, so via email. 99% of agents only take email queries (and thus you send them your full manuscript as an attachment, should they request it), and then once you get a book deal it is the same. I did receive pass pages physically in the mail, but some houses even do pass pages digitally. Everything else is over email!

[@richardwilson8427]

Alexa Donne ok thank you for your help!

[@ohcrapitsjim]

Great content. Thank you :)

[@tatumhalligan9177]

i saw you had DONNE as your last name- is it actually ur pen name last name or ur real last name that u use?

[@AlexaDonne]

It's a pen name.

[@ItWILLbeWONDERFUL_THERE]

Someone on Lulu said that Formatting came AFTER the manuscript and editing is finished. I honestly don't know.

[@LexieReilly]

I had a "published" author (not truly a traditionally published author but someone who speaks a conferences) yell at me and say that this advice was incorrect even though I explained that this information was given by a traditionally published author. Her response? Was it from someone who speaks at conferences? Lol. I didn't even get a chance to answer her, but it did come from many different authortubers who have published, who were literary agents, etc. All my research has confirmed Alexa's advice. *facepalm* Alexa, any advice on how to format scene breaks?? Haven't seen any advice within the past five years.

[@heartmommyinpa]

I use Helvetica. I hate Times New Roman

[@aprildannette9820]

so many rules why can't we just type the story send it they like it they don't why all the information LOL

[@AlexaDonne]

If copy is difficult or frustrating to read, people won't read it. It's like cooking food so it tastes amazing and people want to eat the meal.

[@dudelord787]

I can barely understand you.

[@Fludded]

I dont understand why people would write in word...

[@andrewwright64]

Yeesh, Scrivener for Windows looks awful. If you have a Mac there’s an option for manuscript format without the old school problems.

[@milanicks2628]

not helpful. Out of date. At least for Mac....

[@gordonwarden-c9v]

I'm afraid that's true

[@samanthas6073]

Your intro was way too long and your instructional way too short. You also can barely follow what you’re doing because you can’t read your screen. Not helpful.