How to Write a Novel in Google Docs

You posted this right as I was writing a novel in Google docs :D

I have used most of these features while writing some of my projects in Google Docs. However, one important feature that you didn't bring up was the value of Google Sheets. It is a spreadsheet option much like Excel. I use this like my Project Bible. I can also include links to the individual documents that give more information. So characters for example are all listed where I can see their physical descriptions and quirks, but then link to their in depth character profile. Add another sheet within the same document for world building, etc. so each "folder" can be divided into tabs with their own information.

I've written my whole first book (fantasy ~ 450 pages and 130,000 words) without ever using the Heading feature because I never understood how it worked. I'm now in the Second Draft of that book, so I will definitely be using that now so I can stop scrolling through hundreds of pages to find chapters... Thanks Abbie 😂

Google drive nerd here, I have some extra tips! 1. You can also use the subsequent headings (1-4) to make nested outlines. For example, you could make a wider Character Profiles document and have headline 1 as protagonist/antagonist/side characters, then heading 2 as the character name, and headline 3 as each subsection for the character (basics, internal conflict, etc). You can also use this for your story outline, dividing it into acts, then chapters, then major events or however you like to do it. 2. 17:22 You could create these image boards as a drawing (insert -> drawing -> new, import the images to the drawing using the image icon next to the text box icon), then they’ll all stay grouped together. You can double click the drawing to edit as needed, but docs will treat it as a single image. 3. 20:36 ctrl+v pastes. Ctrl+shift+v pastes without formatting. In addition, if you want to hang onto the webpage you can highlight the title/header of the document and use ctrl+k to make it into a hyperlink for the site you pulled the info from. Just copy/paste the url. 4. 22:53 if you prefer pageless documents, go to file -> page setup -> pageless. You can also choose a different background color here if you want a different aesthetic for or just if you find pure white to be a little difficult on your eyes during long writing sessions. 5. View -> full screen. If you’re good with your keyboard shortcuts (command+b for bold, etc, there are also shortcuts for making text into a header) you can work without the potential distraction of all the tools at the top. The outline is still visible in this mode.

OH MY GOD. This came at the perfect time Abbie you have no idea. I was literally going to start writing my novel right now, and was looking for writing tools. I decided that Ill stick to Google docs, and was just binge watching your videos about outlining. Thank you so much!

For someone that uses Google Docs so much this was really helpful and helps me not make a mess of notes and stuff in one document!!!! Thank you so much for this video! I hope you have a great day and i can wait to use this in my next novel and fanfiction! Thank you writer friend! 😁

I have been writing my story in Google Docs for more than three years but this video is more helpful. Thanks, Abbie!❤ I have so many chapter outlines, so having an organized index cards for chapters is very helpful! I can just tap in and see where I stopped and what future sections/parts I need to write for my next chapters! Thanks so much, Abbie!

I’ve been using word for four years, and it just gave out on me as in preparing to publish my first novel next year. I changed to Google docs and have felt completely overwhelmed by all I have to learn about self-publishing, and now needing to learn how to use a new word processor. Thank you so much for what you do ❤

I've been writing novels using docs for years. A few additional things to note is the "summary" feature. Rather than using a separate file, you can create a summary within the document itself, in which you can copy/paste into your query submissions when Lit Agents ask for them. You can add your beta and alpha readers as a collaborator, they can highlight, leave notes, and suggest edits. Also, Hemingway makes an app extension for Chrome (unsure about Safari) where it will highlight and point out grammar and spelling mistakes the Google interface didn't catch, in addition to passive voice, and all the other good things we know and love about Hemingway.

Awesome!! What I will do is to use a colour code for the index cards: red is todo, yellow is in progress, blue is first draft and green is done. In scrivener you can assign labels for the status. And for those using Notion keep in mind that it doesn't safe. For this reason I'm using notion just for brainstorming BUT you have the possibility to insert the Google docs in notion. For example, you buy Abbie's templates and customize them and then you embed them into Notion. That makes sure, your work is safe. 😊

I always write with Google Docs, it makes it easier as I can edit them on any device! Also chapter points with the heading thing are helpful!

This by far was the best $7 and 45 minutes I have spent when it comes to writing. I want to write a book so bad but never know where to start, how much research I should do before I start, how much world building, and etc. I have not known how to organize my thoughts into something that made sense and it has kept me from really starting and digging in for so very long. I feel like the folder I created following along with your video is going to help me so much. Thank you. I also can't wait to binge all of your other videos now, because if they are even a tiny bit as helpful as this one was, I can only imagine what I am about to experience!

I literally just started my novel on Google Docs, whaaaa😮 Love your content Abbie!

This is really helpful. Back then, I stopped using Google Docs, cuz it was hard for me to do & I couldn't keep up, but now that you've made this video, I finally got my stuff organized & I can remember where to keep them. Thank you so much for the advice. You're amazing!

This is soo helpful! As someone wanting to have scrivener's functionality while writing, this is so helpful for aspiring writers! Thank you so much for this video :)

I NEEDED THISSSS!!!!

I've been a Google Docs guy for several years and for me, its the mobile access. I purchased the Scrivener thinking I was gonna be in front of the monitor more but I've found I'm rarely sitting in the office writing. Its the phone or tablet at the coffee house or on lunch breaks. So until Scrivener manages that... In the meantime, I've got zero complaints with Drive's features. Thanks for the templates Abbie, I'll put 'em to good use!

Thanks Abbie for this vid! Please make one on how to write a novel on Ms word!

This video couldn't come in a more perfect moment, I just started using Google docs for my writing project (I'm an amateur in all things writing 😅), and this video just helped me to organize everything pretty nicely 💜thank you, abbie

Love this thank you so much for posting Abbie. I use Google docs as my main writing tool, and this will help me organise my writing projects a lot. The index cards are brilliant and will be very helpful to me. I would suggest creating a Master folder, so all you need to do is copy the master folder when creating a new project and all your templates are blank and ready to go. ❤