5 Tips for Writing a Book in Google Docs

Sdílet
Vložit
  • čas přidán 10. 09. 2024

Komentáře • 103

  • @AuthenticBranding
    @AuthenticBranding Před 8 měsíci +73

    Ive worked and written in Google docs enough to where when I watch videos like this, I already know everything they have to say. I actually learned something in this video and it's been great info.

    • @writingamongtrees
      @writingamongtrees  Před 7 měsíci +4

      I'm thrilled to hear you learned something and you enjoyed the video!

  • @arc4705
    @arc4705 Před 4 měsíci +9

    ah man I'm on google docs so much that I already knew all this. I hope this makes it more accessible to others!
    Extra tips:
    •Break page shortcut helps me: ctrl+enter
    •Header format: If you have a specific formatting that you want for all your headers, you can change the document settings. Type out your header in the format you want (font, size, color, etc), then highlight the text, click the "Normal text" drop-down menu, and hover over whichever level of header you want. If you click "Update '(header level)' to match," all future headers of this level will have the specific font, size, color, etc. that you highlighted. Literally revolutionized how I use the document outline!

  • @sireel70
    @sireel70 Před 7 měsíci +29

    I couldnt agree more about the Outline view and it's capabilities. Its a game changer for sure. I've used it for years and am always surprised that not more people are aware of it.

    • @writingamongtrees
      @writingamongtrees  Před 6 měsíci +1

      It's a great hidden feature. I always enjoy exploring the menus and pushing buttons in new programs, so I found it early on. I'm happy to hear someone else loves the functionality!

    • @t0dd000
      @t0dd000 Před 6 měsíci

      I'm just waiting for Google to allow you to drag around giant blocks of text via that outline view.

  • @t0dd000
    @t0dd000 Před 6 měsíci +5

    Page breaks before every chapter by updating the 'Heading 1' style instead of manually adding it to every heading:
    (Note: every word processing application has this functionality in one form or another. Learn how to do this.)
    (Assumption: all of your chapter titles are of style "Heading 1".)
    Adding the page break to your first heading:
    - click on a chapter title to move your cursor there
    - click on "Format" at the top
    - hover on "Line and paragraph spacing"
    - click on "Add page break before"
    That will add a page break before that one chapter heading.
    Now, to have it percolate throughout the entire document (add the page break to all the other headings):
    - make sure you are still clicked on (cursor is on) the chapter heading you just changed and …
    - click on the dropdown arrow on the "Heading 1" button near the top of the screen
    - hover on the right arrow
    - choose "Update 'Heading 1' to match"
    BAM! All of your chapters should now be page-broken correctly.
    This "Update 'some text style' to match" for each style is how you percolate changes in your document and not have one-off weird stuff going on. Format the styles, not the text directly: spacing, indents (like she demoed), font, breaks, … etc.
    Cheers. -t

  • @David-S.130
    @David-S.130 Před 9 měsíci +12

    When composing academic documents, I utilize blue blocker glasses to alleviate ocular strain. These glasses are designed to filter blue light, which can cause discomfort and distract from the task at hand. As such, I find that blue blocker glasses allow me to maintain focus and productivity over extended periods .

    • @writingamongtrees
      @writingamongtrees  Před 8 měsíci +1

      This is a great tip! I used to use blue blocker glasses. I think I need to try and find my pair because my eyes have been very strained lately. Do you have a brand of glasses you like?

    • @David-S.130
      @David-S.130 Před 8 měsíci

      ​@@writingamongtrees they are really helpful as i spend basically entire days writing for school and for fun.

    • @t0dd000
      @t0dd000 Před 6 měsíci +1

      Interesting. My operating system can just turn on night mode, but glasses would probably be even more effective. I'll have to look into them.

    • @David-S.130
      @David-S.130 Před 6 měsíci

      @@t0dd000 mine has the same option, but I still got strain from them so yes they are a must have.

  • @winteryaloveswritingx
    @winteryaloveswritingx Před 9 měsíci +12

    Amazing tips- I have been writing in Google Docs for over a year now, and it is super useful.

  • @pearlgoddess965
    @pearlgoddess965 Před 8 měsíci +13

    It is calming to watch writer videos. Thank you so much.

  • @CClarke
    @CClarke Před 21 dnem

    Very helpful. Thanks! I'm finally canceling my Word subscription (old habits die hard 😂), and the immediate lack of formatting on Google Docs drove me crazy. I love how you got straight to the point!

  • @ibetruckintv3758
    @ibetruckintv3758 Před 9 měsíci +6

    Thanks for this information. Im in the beginning stages of writing my books and I didn’t know about google docs. Save time and money for me is a great way to start out.
    Blessings to you

    • @writingamongtrees
      @writingamongtrees  Před 8 měsíci +1

      You're welcome. I'm happy it helped. Good luck with starting your books. Free and simple is always the best way to start. :)

  • @ExoticalHoney
    @ExoticalHoney Před měsícem

    The add notes into the outline headers tip was really helpful. I've used Docs for years so I'm familiar with all these great features but I still learned something new. So thank you 😃

  • @marsenalyn4564
    @marsenalyn4564 Před 6 měsíci +3

    The chapter outline was so helpful!

  • @susanjanewilkins
    @susanjanewilkins Před 22 dny

    Noelle, thanks so much for this. clear, precise, informative, and fun.

  • @teresah1877
    @teresah1877 Před 10 měsíci +4

    This was such a helpful video! I love Google docs and plan on using it for my Nanowrimo book. Thank you for sharing!

    • @writingamongtrees
      @writingamongtrees  Před 10 měsíci

      I'm glad it was helpful! Google Docs is great program for NaNo. It's nice being able to pull up your manuscript from any device (and that autosave is amazing). Good luck next month!! ✍

  • @merakianvibes
    @merakianvibes Před 5 měsíci +1

    This was explained so easy for a beginner. Thank you! I learned a lot.

  • @renendell
    @renendell Před 6 měsíci +1

    Thanks for this. I write on an old iPad and a old Mac and I can’t afford Scrivener. I use google docs because it’s free and syncs across devices. This really helped me level up my experience and get more out of the program.

    • @writingamongtrees
      @writingamongtrees  Před 6 měsíci +1

      I'm happy to hear the video was helpful!
      It took me a while to get Scrivener as well. They do offer a 40% off for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) participants in November, and 50% off if you win, if ever do want to nab it. There is no syncing across devices though, which is a shame!

  • @user-mx6uk9kk8e
    @user-mx6uk9kk8e Před 8 měsíci +4

    Those are indeed fantastic tips; I am learning how to write an ebook on my own and find your videos very helpful. Could you create a detailed step-by-step tutorial series on how to create an ebook, and what tools will be used?

  • @cassie.zuo25
    @cassie.zuo25 Před 3 měsíci +1

    This is perfect for beginners

  • @guineabable08
    @guineabable08 Před 2 měsíci

    THANK YOU for the practical tips immediately into the video! More please!!! Thank you thank you!

  • @BreanaGail
    @BreanaGail Před 7 měsíci +4

    This really helped me. Thank you SO much!

  • @EvaWright
    @EvaWright Před 9 měsíci +1

    Thank you! I used it for my Nanowrimo book and finished two days early! Being off grid word can't keep up and it wasn't saving my new content so it's
    a life saver 🙌 😌 🙃 🙂 😅

    • @writingamongtrees
      @writingamongtrees  Před 9 měsíci

      Wonderful to hear! Congratulations on your NaNo victory. I'm so glad the video helped.

  • @9thteardropgameteller601
    @9thteardropgameteller601 Před 9 měsíci +4

    You can change page color for eye protection.
    I using dark blue and white text.
    All menu area still white tho.

    • @writingamongtrees
      @writingamongtrees  Před 9 měsíci

      That's a great way of customizing your workspace. I used to change the page color, but it was more of a hassle for my editor having to change it back to white, sothe plugin is very convienant.

  • @gavkinn
    @gavkinn Před 29 dny

    Thanks that was awesome.

  • @crazybloodyfox1
    @crazybloodyfox1 Před 9 měsíci +1

    Thanks you. 😊 I been writing in Google docs for years and never know any of this tips.

  • @Taylor_swift_girl
    @Taylor_swift_girl Před 7 měsíci +3

    ONLY 493 SUBS! MAKE THAT 494 ;). this channel; is absolutely fantastic. as a young 10-year-old year in Michigan who wants to be an author and writes all of her stories in google docs this video is so helpful and amazing. Keep up the good work!

    • @writingamongtrees
      @writingamongtrees  Před 6 měsíci

      Thank you for subscribing, and for your words of encouragement!
      That's awesome you're already writing so many stories. If you're already writing, it sounds like you're already an author. :)

    • @Taylor_swift_girl
      @Taylor_swift_girl Před 6 měsíci

      @@writingamongtrees 🩷

  • @katpaints
    @katpaints Před 7 měsíci +1

    Great ideas! When the lockdown started, I was going our on my front porch and riding Mt exercise bike. And I starred using Google docs' speech to text with my phone as a diary. I had actually forgotten about it until now! It has been quite a while now so I'm sure I will need to relearn how to do it.

    • @writingamongtrees
      @writingamongtrees  Před 6 měsíci

      What a great use of the speech to text feature! Are you still 'writing' your daily diary?

    • @katpaints
      @katpaints Před 6 měsíci

      @@writingamongtrees I haven't, health problems stopped that, but I'm starting again! You did have to go through and fix the misunderstood parts. I think it works better now. I use the thing to do web searches and it really has improved!

  • @hufflepuffsbadger6665
    @hufflepuffsbadger6665 Před 2 měsíci

    This video was wonderfully made. It was greatly edited and it broke down each aspect of Google Docs writing tips. ❤
    You even added in the nighteye at the end which I was very pleased with especially since I also use nighteye extension! 😂
    I get a lot of really bad eye strain on the Internet and I have to have everything dark mode because my eyes are terrible. I discovered nighteye a few years ago when I wanted to read fanfiction with dark mode 🤣🤧 and stay up really late reading Harry Potter drarry smut crack fanfiction on my laptop in my bed.
    Idk that’s just funny to me that you recommend Nighteye because of the silver lining that I also use that SAME extension but I originally used it for reading instead of writing and am only now using it to write my own books about two years now.
    Thank you for breaking down the process in google docs though! ❤ I hope it helped others the way it has me.

  • @haroldthompkins8929
    @haroldthompkins8929 Před měsícem

    Great video thank you

  • @thomas_m3092
    @thomas_m3092 Před 6 měsíci +2

    Very helpful. Thank you.

  • @Atom.Storm.
    @Atom.Storm. Před 3 měsíci

    That outline feature is great. I am starting to hate scrivener nowadays and that is really make me think about my next project being in google docs. If I have a large chapter in scriv and go from one folder to another I have to find where I previously was, where as with this I can label everything.

  • @christinabriggs1782
    @christinabriggs1782 Před 7 měsíci +1

    Thank you for these tips as a google docs user for my books as well. This helps so much. 😁

  • @RonSheely
    @RonSheely Před 2 měsíci

    Thank you

  • @franslam7398
    @franslam7398 Před měsícem +1

    Do you have a checkmark key on your keyboard or something? Where do I get the tick? Wingdings?

  • @RichReportcom
    @RichReportcom Před 4 měsíci

    Useful tips. Great Job

  • @xarzneimittel8220
    @xarzneimittel8220 Před 8 měsíci +1

    Definitely new sub here! Liked the peace and format of the video ❤❤

  • @catiapistore4565
    @catiapistore4565 Před 6 měsíci +1

    GREAT information!

  • @InnerProp
    @InnerProp Před 6 měsíci

    I'm starting to like adding comments instead of putting things in [brackets]. I use brackets when I start using a placeholder name (for instance). Then I can find a placeholder name. After I find the first one inside the brackets I can then do a find and replace with that name.
    I've also been color coding my text color. Blue is new stuff, Purple is stuff I am going to share or have shared with my writing club, Red is stuff that needs to be fixed, Black is all fixed and good.

  • @Mr.Monta77
    @Mr.Monta77 Před 7 měsíci +1

    I use Aeon Timeline 3 for outlining. Brilliant if you ask me.

    • @writingamongtrees
      @writingamongtrees  Před 6 měsíci

      I will have to try that one out!

    • @Mr.Monta77
      @Mr.Monta77 Před 6 měsíci

      @@writingamongtrees You should. I have no affiliation whatsoever with them, but seriously, after trying out almost every other plotting software, I feel Aeon Timeline is a godsend. You need to put in the time to learn the methods and tools, but when you do it’s a superb plotting device. You can use several views and they are all very useful. It’s not exactly a learning curve but more of an ‘overwhelming’ availability of tools and options. However, there are some very good examples and offer a couple of excellent training modules. After finally learning how to set everything up, I don’t know how I managed without it. Just remember: be patient and don’t write in your live manuscript right away. Set up a test story and try out the features so you know how to take advantage of the full set of tools. That is an investment you will be happy you did.
      PS Aeon passed under my radar because there is so little advertizement and talk about it. Which is weird considering the robustness and quality of the software and what it offers for a very reasonable ownership. Not monthly subscription! Which I love. Write me back and tell me what you think but put a real effort it. I wouldn’t change for anything. Honestly.

  • @Djjebe918
    @Djjebe918 Před 8 měsíci +1

    This is very helpful

  • @ipelengmanthaaa49
    @ipelengmanthaaa49 Před 6 měsíci

    Can you please kindly assist , i followed the outline steps like you did, but it doesnt only show Headline 1 as per your example put everything in the outline summary

  • @TukoAlberto
    @TukoAlberto Před 5 měsíci

    Do you recommend having only one file to write your book, or if the book keeps adding up pages to have a file per chapter?

  • @proximashining776
    @proximashining776 Před 4 měsíci +1

    It's weird but the dark mode (black screen, white text) actually hurts my eyes much more than the normal mode (white screen, black text). Everytime I try to use the dark mode, I end up with a feeling as though the text is permanently burned into my retinas.

  • @varunl6948
    @varunl6948 Před 7 měsíci +1

    This was helpful!

  • @bhoqeem1975
    @bhoqeem1975 Před 4 měsíci

    Yeah, this is a game changer, indeed.

  • @metalman4393
    @metalman4393 Před 3 měsíci

    I hope they add collapsible outline subheadings. It can get real messy while world-building :(

  • @MikesPOV
    @MikesPOV Před 6 měsíci

    How do you set one inch margins in Google Docs? Thanks!

  • @L1llian_author-sama
    @L1llian_author-sama Před 16 dny

    I love-hate writing. I dont wanna place a format, but this video said "nu-uh, write that format"😮‍💨

  • @Prophecy-Foretold
    @Prophecy-Foretold Před 3 měsíci

    Does anyone know how to add gutters to my doc? Ove reached that point in my editing ans i cant figure anything out. (If you know any tricks that work the same as a gutter please let me know! Im probably overreacting but i feel like my life is slowly unraveling because of this 😅)

  • @theartofnina
    @theartofnina Před 7 měsíci +1

    Alternatively you can just press ctrl+enter to add a page break!

  • @brenda5297
    @brenda5297 Před 7 měsíci +1

    What is a good document program to use for Windows to format your manuscript before self-publishing? 😊

    • @writingamongtrees
      @writingamongtrees  Před 7 měsíci +2

      I use Atticus! It's a cloud-based software like Google Docs, which I love, and it creates the paperback and ebook versions easily after importing your manuscript. It does cost some money but it's well worth the one-time payment.

    • @brenda5297
      @brenda5297 Před 7 měsíci +1

      @@writingamongtrees Good morning! Oh yay, thank you sooo much for your help. Do we have to sign up to other places like Barnes and Noble so Atticus can publish it there? Or how does that work?

    • @writingamongtrees
      @writingamongtrees  Před 7 měsíci +1

      @@brenda5297 Good morning! :)
      Atticus does only create the files you'll need to upload to your different distribution platforms (like Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Kobo, Apple Books, etc...) There's a few different ways and websites you can use to make uploading files easier and different ways you can do it.
      How close are you to self publishing? I will be doing an entire video series on all of the steps!

    • @brenda5297
      @brenda5297 Před 7 měsíci

      @@writingamongtrees Not close, I have a long way to go. I'm currently trying to write a children's middle grade book. I haven't written a story in so long so I'm rusty.
      Oh wow, I would love to see your series! I'm definitely subscribing! I'm truly grateful for your help. Wishing you all the very best. ❤️

  • @motto666
    @motto666 Před 8 měsíci

    How to print the title on the side of every page, continue from 1st to last? my doc is about 50 pages but it is page-less.

    • @mattygascoigne6961
      @mattygascoigne6961 Před 8 měsíci

      Header and footer

    • @writingamongtrees
      @writingamongtrees  Před 7 měsíci

      Insert > Headers & Footers > Headers
      Then you can put your title and author name. There's also some different options you can choose from. This is a video I'll have to make!

  • @neofulcrum5013
    @neofulcrum5013 Před 6 měsíci

    This is tough to do on the app

  • @TheXandercage1
    @TheXandercage1 Před 6 měsíci

    Do you have any tips for using the Google Docs app .

    • @t0dd000
      @t0dd000 Před 6 měsíci

      Watch the video.

  • @Blabbermouth-w5w
    @Blabbermouth-w5w Před 6 měsíci +1

    As soon as Google announced that they were going to incorporate AI I removed all my visual and written work. I suggest you do the same.

    • @michaelkuhn5073
      @michaelkuhn5073 Před 6 měsíci

      😂why??!??

    • @Blabbermouth-w5w
      @Blabbermouth-w5w Před 6 měsíci

      @@michaelkuhn5073 AI only works with input Where do you think that input comes from? *Your* work. But keep keep up with the ridiculing emojies.
      By keeping your work on Google Docs you are giving them permission to use that work as input.

  • @albertograf3419
    @albertograf3419 Před 9 měsíci

    How do you create an image directory in Goggle Docs ?

    • @writingamongtrees
      @writingamongtrees  Před 9 měsíci

      An image directory like an image gallery where the photos are inside the pages or something like a table of contents that links to images?

  • @lilphaniesline
    @lilphaniesline Před 2 měsíci

    For tip #3 I just insert a comment to myself. Select heading, right click then comment. I’m still playing around with it. 🙂

    • @lilphaniesline
      @lilphaniesline Před 2 měsíci

      If you click on the comment icon at the top I think then you can see all your comments.

  • @totallyrandommerchandisell8355
    @totallyrandommerchandisell8355 Před 8 měsíci +1

    HOW TO ADD A CHECK?

    • @writingamongtrees
      @writingamongtrees  Před 8 měsíci +3

      Great question! The easiest way is just to google 'checkmark' symbol and copy and paste it from a webpage. ( Or you can copy and paste from these - ☐ ☑ ✅︎ ✓ ✔ ) Once they're in your document, I just copy and paste them within that.

  • @user-xi3yq2rj8t
    @user-xi3yq2rj8t Před 5 měsíci

    I am a writer. I'm looking for a business partner. Unfortunately, I live in the Republic of Belarus. Belarusians refused to publish my book “Life without problems.” I have one book in English, “Cosmic Laws and World Domination.” Maybe you will agree to become my co-author and publish this book in England.

  • @BigDStudios
    @BigDStudios Před 2 měsíci

    00:30 I never understood why people who write in GDoc don't Space out their paragraphs making their work look like 1 long ass paragraph. If you're going to write a book, SPACE OUT YOUR PARAGRAPHS!