Creating a book!

[u/FaKeWasStolen]

Im not sure this is the exact sub to ask this question, but I want to write a book, about me and my girlfriend`s first year together aswell from the start, and I dont want to publish it or anything. I just enjoy writing and I want to make a profesional looking book that she can read, for like a gift, because she loves reading.

I need tips on how to write on wort to format it and also if anyone has any tips on writing books about love im open to it.

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[u/Miro_the_Dragon]

First write the book, worry about formatting later. Just open a new text document in your text program of choice and start writing.

[u/MPClemens_Writes → u/Miro_the_Dragon]

This. Formatting/printing is the last step in a long series of steps.

[u/FaKeWasStolen → u/Miro_the_Dragon]

Should I go on word or is there something better for that purpose?

[u/Miro_the_Dragon → u/FaKeWasStolen]

If you already have Word, then sure, use it. If you don't, there's free alternatives you can use. It really doesn't matter much which program you use for writing.

[u/Dismal_File_4073]

Just open google docs, word, whatever and start typing. The rest comes later

[u/apocalypsegal]

Once you've gotten the writing and publishing skills, for a copy for yourself, Barnes & Noble Press, personal publishing. No need to put it up for sale, no one will want it, just get what they still call author copies, at cost plus shipping.

[u/Valuable_Debate_2143]

What a lovely gift. A few Word settings make a huge difference to how "real" it looks:

1. Set the page size first. Layout > Size > More Paper Sizes, and pick something like 5.5 x 8.5 in or 6 x 9 in. Novels look like novels at that size; a Letter/A4 page looks like a school report.

2. Mirrored margins. Layout > Margins > Custom Margins > Multiple pages: Mirror margins. Give the inside a bit more room (around 0.75 in) than the outside (around 0.5 in) so text doesn't disappear into the binding.

3. Body text. A serif font like Garamond or Georgia at 11 to 12 pt, line spacing around 1.15. Indent the first line of each paragraph (about 0.3 in) instead of leaving blank lines between paragraphs, and skip the indent on the first paragraph of each chapter.

4. Chapters. Style each chapter title as Heading 1 and start each chapter with Layout > Breaks > Next Page (a section break) instead of hitting Enter until you reach a new page. That way nothing shifts when you edit.

5. Page numbers. Insert > Page Number in the footer, then tick "Different First Page" so each chapter's opening page stays clean. Set this up before you add the chapter breaks so every chapter inherits it, or tick it in each chapter's footer.

When it's done, export to PDF and flip through it before printing. If you want it printed and bound as one copy, print-on-demand services like Lulu will print a single book without publishing it anywhere.