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Hi & Hugs to All,
For those of you that don't know me, I'm Samantha Beach (pen name) and I'm physically and mentally ill and haven't been able to work outside the home.

Over 3 years ago I downloaded a Createspace template and wrote a book. While editing, I discovered a story hole. Knowing it needed a lot of work, I put it aside to sell jewelry on a website and other items on eBay in hopes of bringing some money into the house. We rescue dogs and have for over 20 years. We are broke and live off credit cards. As graciously suggested here, I began writing on Medium. Every little bit helps.

I want to start writing my book again, but don't know where to begin. I intend to offer a Kindle and a paperback version of my story. Do I start with a KDP template? Are there KDP videos to watch? I would greatly appreciate any and all advice.

Thank you. Hugs!

I wish you well with this project, Sam. Writing can be very rewarding emotionally. I can't tell you the best way forward. I only know that I write all my stories as a Word document and then follow Amazon's advice on uploading for Kindle.

Others will, I hope, be better able to give you advice that suits where you are at with your writing.

Thank you, Anna. Hugs!

Sam (Rescue Dog Mom, Writer, Hugger) wrote: "Hi & Hugs to All,
For those of you that don't know me, I'm Samantha Beach (pen name) and I'm physically and mentally ill and haven't been able to work outside the home.

Over 3 years ago I download..."

Do you need help on rewriting the story, or just with publishing it? Probably KDP is the easiest way to go, although I've never used their templates. We always imported Word docs into Adobe InDesign, did the layout there, created the PDF and ebook files, and uploaded the final files to sales platforms. I doubt you'd want to go that way, since it involves $$ and time to learn the software.

The file currently sits as a Word 2010 document formatted by the Createspace template I downloaded into it before I started typing. With CS taken over by KDP, I don't know if this file is any good anymore. Also, there's so much rewriting to do, I might as well start over. Plus I forgot everything I learned 3 years ago anyway.

So I guess I'm looking for opinions on how people start writing their books. As you stated, Dale, I need to keep costs at a minimum. Thank you for your input. Hugs

Ahhh... that's part of my problem. I'm worried about how to format the manuscript now before I've even started typing. That's because the CS template I downloaded was pre-formated. Okay, so I'll throw that out the window. Thanks. Hugs!

I agree with Alex. Just start writing and don't worry about the formatting. That's easy enough when you finish. I know Brittney use Draft2Digital to format.

Carole wrote: "I agree with Alex. Just start writing and don't worry about the formatting. That's easy enough when you finish. I know Brittney use Draft2Digital to format."

Thank you, Carole. Hugs

Yep, Alex called it. I always use a fairly standard manuscript format: a Word doc with inch margins all around, a basic font like Times New Roman or Courier New, 12 point either way, lines double spaced, half inch indent for paragraphs, and a header with the title and page number. Aside from that, you don't need to worry much at this stage.

Thank you very much, Dale. Hugs

What they said! Do the writing. You can format later. KDP do have templates you can use which are useful for paperback formatting. I’ve used them in the past.

Thank you, DJ!

Here's another question. Would it make sense to write using the KDP template so that it's at least formatted for that, and then format it for the Kindle version? All advice is greatly appreciated. Hugs

Sam (Rescue Dog Mom, Writer, Hugger) wrote: "Thank you, DJ!

Here's another question. Would it make sense to write using the KDP template so that it's at least formatted for that, and then format it for the Kindle version? All advice is great..."

Hello Sam,

The best advice you've been given so far is to just start writing. I write all my scenes in their own Word file and combine later, just as an example. The formatting should be no concern at this point. If using Word though, do make sure you make use of their Styles - it will make you life much easier later on!!

As for templates, when you get that far, bear in mind there is a WORLD of difference between a paperback format and a ebook format. I would NOT suggest using the same source file.

When the time comes, if you'd rather not deal with the formatting alone, let me know and I would be happy to format both for you at no charge :) Through my trials in self-publishing, formatting has become something of a hobby for me.

Eldon wrote: "Sam (Rescue Dog Mom, Writer, Hugger) wrote: "Thank you, DJ!

Here's another question. Would it make sense to write using the KDP template so that it's at least formatted for that, and then format i..."

Thank you very much, Eldon! Hugs!

How's the writing going, Sam?

Hi Alexis! How are you?
Writing going slow. Been in much back pain so I'm reading the Bulwark anthology. Hugs!

SAM!!!!! It's good to hear from you.

So... for me, I write the story in Word (sure it takes me years, but that's the first step.) Are you focusing on getting back into writing, fixing the plot hole, or just the publishing side.

if you want to talk plot... I'm your woman. Email me at natkennedybooks at gmail if you want to flesh out plot holes.

As for the actual publishing.... I just write it in Word and have this standard ebook formatting stuff I set up (always use styles, don't format inline, etc. header footer heights, etc.... I got this from various websites and can share that as well.) But I've only done ebooks.

I have edited/formatted one print book and I just, again, followed the format a small press gave me on margins and spaces etc. I didn't use a template/program. Then I sent the formatted .doc to the press and they did everything else. So, I'm not much help there.

I wish you much luck.

Hi NAT!!!!! Good to hear from you, too!!

I finally fixed the plot hole, which provided me with so much more story. Given my painful back issues right now, I write when I can, which isn't often.

Thank you for your help. I'm writing in MS Word. My current file is a formatted template I downloaded 3 years ago from CreateSpace. I guess I should change that based on what others are advising.

Thank you for your good wishes. I'll keep you posted. Hugs!!!

Alex wrote: "Yay, glad you've fixed your plot hole, Sam, it's a controlled descent to a perfect landing from here on in then."

I sure hope so, Alex! Hugs

Yay for plot hole fixes! That is always a reason to celebrate. Hope you feel better to find more time to write. Back pain sucks... My mother had chronic pain and so I get it, from an outside observer.

Take care of yourself.

Thank you, Nat. Unfortunately, I carried my crippled dog downstairs and set her on the floor the wrong way and tweaked my back. I had 2 shots a week ago and I'm having 2 more next week. OUCH!!

Embarrassed to say I haven't done much work on the book, which makes me sad.

Thank you for your emotional support. Hugs!