Can I Write My Book Using Google Docs?

Can I Write my Book using Google Docs?

Google Docs is not the perfect book-writing tool, nor does it compete with more specialized software such as Scrivener.

But there’s no denying its incredible versatility and richness in features – all of which are feasible for book writing.

You can access underrated yet highly useful tools, i.e., spell check, word count, and text formatting.

You could create a book outline in Google Docs or even begin drafting the chapters of your book in separate documents.

But the real beauty lies in its collaborative capabilities; you could share your book-in-progress with co-authors, friends or family members for feedback and suggestions.

No other online writing tool offers a far superior collaborative writing experience than Google Docs.

So, yes, you can write a book in Google Docs – and you’re not the first to do so.

And while we’re about to discuss how to do it, it makes sense to weigh the arguments for and against it first.

Using Google Docs to Write Your Book

1 – You can’t pass up the collaborative potential.

Every digital marketer or content creator knows the power of collaboration, and Google Docs is the perfect platform.

As an author who hopes to work on a book in partnership with other authors or editors, Google Docs allows you to make changes quickly and easily.

2 – You’re already familiar with Google Drive.

If you use Google Mail and keep all your digital documents in the cloud, working on your book in a platform you know very well makes sense.

There’ll be no learning curve, and you can hit the ground running.

3 – You want to keep a light footprint.

Google Docs is a web-based platform, which means all your documents will remain in the cloud.

This minimizes the risk of losing information or being compromised by malware, ransomware, or other cyber threats.

Don’t use Google Docs to write your book if:

1 – You need specialized features.

Google Docs doesn’t offer the same features and flexibility as dedicated software, i.e., Scrivener or Microsoft Word.

If you’re looking for innovative solutions like writing a novel in multiple columns, Google Docs isn’t the right choice.

2 – You rely heavily on local storage.

Google Docs is a cloud-based platform, so you won’t easily access your documents without an internet connection.

Consider other software if you mainly work offline and rely heavily on local storage.

3 – You’re looking for more formatting options.

Google Docs offers minimal text formatting options without access to more immersive tools like HTML coding or other web-based software.

If you need more control over your book’s design, opt for a dedicated writing app.

With the two sides of the argument laid out, you can now decide if Google Docs will suffice.

And if you feel it does, read on to learn how to use it for your next book-writing foray.

Step 1 – Set up your Google Doc.

Using the Drive app, create a new Google Doc.

It’s where you store your table of contents and book chapters for easy reference.

You open a new document by selecting the “+” icon and choosing “Google Docs.”

Type in the title of your manuscript if you have one.

Give it a distinctive name if you haven’t decided on a title.

The key in naming your document is to ensure it is separate from all other documents in the same drive.

Step 2 – Create a separate Google Doc.

Creating another Google Doc makes sense as you’ll use this one to write the outline.

So, you now have different documents for writing the book and the outline.

The idea is to keep the outline and the actual content separate.

This will help you keep track of the structure, allowing easy editing.

It doesn’t matter what file name you use, but be sure to put the word “outline” to identify it quickly.

Step 3 – Choose your preferred font style and size.

Some people don’t find this important, but choosing the right font and size helps you stay focused on your task.

Remember that Google uses Arial font by default combined with 11-point font size.

So, if this works for you, there’s no need to change it.

But as experience tells us, font size 12 makes reading easier, especially long-form content like a book. Factor in these things when choosing a font style and size:

• Readability: Can you easily read the text without squinting?
• Focus: Is the font size helping with concentration and productivity?
• Comfort: Do your eyes feel strained when reading for long periods?

Step 4 – Start with the “outline” document.

The outline document is where you’ll start building the structure of your book.

You can also write, add or delete sections as needed.

Remember, it’s a guide and an evolving document that helps with writing and developing ideas.

The key factor is knowing how to put your ideas in order.

To do so, you may choose any of the following:

• Practical Guides: Use this approach when writing tutorials and how-to books.
• Chronological Order: When telling a story, chronological order follows the timeline of events.
• Order of Importance: This works well when writing an academic paper or essay. Think of it as outlining your ideas from least to most important.
• Thematic: This approach is handy when writing about themes and topics as it focuses on connecting ideas related to the same theme.

The way you create your outline in Google Docs will depend on the type of book you’re writing.

However, it can’t be denied that the classic bullet point strategy offers the most flexibility.

After all, it lets you group your ideas and expand on topics organizationally.

While Google Docs has an auto-save function, it pays to back up your files.

You can do this periodically (at least once a month) or save different versions of the same document.

Step 5 – Start writing in the “manuscript” document.

Now it’s time to move on to the actual content, which you’ll store in a separate Google Doc mentioned earlier.

You begin with the title page and the introduction. This sets the tone of your book, so be sure to focus on it.

Don’t forget the subtitle and author’s name.

But don’t be too conscious about the formatting or grammar; the most important part is getting your ideas down on paper. Remember – your manuscript will have to go through professional formatting later.

Step 6 – Put a premium on the Table of Contents.

You’ll need to make the Table of Contents (TOC) in the same document.

This basic page numbering feature lets you keep track of your manuscript’s pages. You can also use it to link individual sections, making it easier for readers to jump from one chapter to another. To ensure everything works correctly later on, check, and update it from time to time.

Spend as much time as possible creating the TOC because it organizes all the contents in your book.

The good news is Google Docs has a built-in Table of Contents feature, saving you time and effort. To insert a TOC, click Insert, then select the first icon on the left in the “Table of Contents” section.

This will open up a text box prompting you to add headings and format them according to paragraph styles – these will be displayed in your table of contents when it is generated.

If you try to learn this feature, you’ll add page numbers, titles, new pages, and many others in no time.

Step 7 – Follow a consistent structure for all chapters.

The same structure should be followed throughout each chapter of your book.

This includes the introduction, main points, and conclusion.

If you’re writing a fiction title, you may add scenes or dialogue as needed.

One way of being consistent is keeping track of your word count. It makes sense because it ensures all chapters have the same quantity of information.

Step 8 – Subheadings are your best friends.

Writing your ideas is not enough; you must also organize them logically.

Doing so will keep readers engaged in your book and give them an easier time understanding the flow of information.

Aside from the introduction and conclusion, every chapter should have subheadings that break down each section.

Google Docs offers a friendly interface for creating subheadings. All you have to do is assign a paragraph style, such as Heading 1 or 2, depending on the level of importance.

Step 9 – Add all supporting materials in their own chapters.

This isn’t necessarily a definitive step, but it can help if your book covers technical topics.

You can include any supporting material, such as diagrams, in a separate chapter.

This will help readers get the most out of your book and save them time from searching elsewhere.

Step 10 – Work with beta readers before publishing your book.

Once your content is complete, you’ll need to find people willing to give honest feedback.

Beta readers are great resources who can help you refine the narrative and make sure the important points have been covered.

This helps put the finishing touches on your book before you hit the publish button.

Step 11 – Get ready for publishing by formatting your manuscript.

When you finish the manuscript, you must see that it looks professional and attractive.

You can do this by formatting the text, adding images or illustrations, and designing a book cover.

Afterward, you should save the document as a PDF file ready for publishing.

Publishing companies may also require special formats, i.e., .doc or .epub, so be sure to check the specifications before submitting your manuscript.

When Do Collaborators Come In?

We talked about how Google Docs is the ideal platform for co-authoring a book, and that’s true.

Google Docs allows you to collaborate with other authors in real-time, making the entire process easier.

It also gives you options for controlling user access and commenting privileges.

You can even see who made what changes and when making it easier to stay on top of things.

Here’s a rundown on how collaboration works with Google Docs:

• Invite collaborators to view and edit the document.
• Assign different levels of access and control who can comment on each section.
• Monitor changes in “real-time” with an audit trail that shows who made what edits.
• Make sure everyone is on the same page by using the chat feature.
• Share feedback with comments and suggestions from the side panel.
• Export the document as PDF or another file for printing or sharing.

It’s best to format your manuscript, so the document has varying access levels or permissions.

This way, only those authors and editors involved in a specific section can access it.

The same goes for assigning comments and editing privileges to each collaborator. For instance, you could create three different folders where the first folder isn’t shared with anyone.

The second folder comes with editing access, which means it’s supposed to be shared with your editor. Meanwhile, the third folder would be limited to “viewing” access for beta readers.

Mistakes to Avoid When Using Google Docs to Write Your Book

Yes, you’ve realized how underrated Google Docs is as a book-writing tool.

Not knowing Google Docs would suffice, you had your sights on those fancy tools. Nonetheless, you should avoid a few mistakes when using Google Docs for your manuscript:

You choose not to take full advantage of the collaborative nature of Google Docs.

Many authors don’t realize that collaboration is arguably the biggest perk of using this platform.

It allows you to get valuable feedback from others and refine your book.

Also, it’s easier to stay organized and ensure your collaborators have the latest version of the book.

You don’t use the chat feature.

Communicating in real-time with collaborators is invaluable when writing a book.

The chat feature lets you discuss ideas, ask questions, and solve problems quickly.

It’s especially helpful if you’re working with a team of authors and editors, as communication can make or break the project.

You don’t use templates.

Using Google Docs’ template feature is another great way to stay organized and on-task while writing your book.

Templates provide structure and outline the different sections of your book.

They make the entire process easier, as you won’t have to worry about formatting the document each time you write a new section.

You don’t set up version control.

Google Docs gives you access to its version history feature, allowing users to view earlier versions of the same document. It allows for tracking changes and restoring any version whenever necessary.

Setting up version control ensures that all your collaborators have access to the same version of the book.

Nevertheless, if you are careful of these pitfalls and use the features Google Docs offers, authoring your book with this tool will be a cakewalk.

Co-authoring manuscripts is Google Docs’ primary pitch for authors seeking a convenient, free, and secure platform to collaborate and write on.

But as this guide proved, it has much more to offer.