How I Modify My Google Doc for Outlining and Drafting
I previously talked about setting up my document to look like a formatted paperback book to help writing not feel so daunting.
Today, I bring you a different way I change my document that is more appealing to me than the standard Doc.
For Drafts
first, go to Page Set Up
this is what the default is
For my setup: Margins will change to .5" for top, bottom, left, and right.
this is the page color I chose but it's totally optional.
Then, I change my default font. Here is how to find the ones I like. Go to the font option, then click More fonts.
These are the fonts I love. You can search them or browse for ones you like.
next, i change my first-line paragraph indent to .25"
For Outlining
(and also character profiles, world-building, etc.)
You are going to follow the same steps as above first. The only difference is you don't need to mess with any of the indent settings.
I use boxes as dividers and organizers. To do this, go to Insert > Table > 1x1.
Then, change the border thickness to 2.25pt. I usually have a color palette for these, so I'm choosing a darker brown than the background for the borders. But white paper and black table lines work just as well and are more print-friendly ;)
Next, I change the Headings, Subheadings, and Subtitles. To begin, I am changing my Title heading. I choose my font, how big I want it to be, and then I like using a highlight color as well. Here, I'm using a standard light/pastel color and 18pt font.
Highlight to select this new title. Go to the dropdown menu that says "normal text", hover over "Title", then choose "Update 'Title' to Match". Now you can click that every time with no hassle. And it will begin an outline for you to the left.
Let's make that box within a box! Make sure you are typing inside the first box. Then insert another table. I am going to use a 2x3.
Because this table is more than one cell, you can go to the three dots up top and click "Table Options" to change every table border selected at once. Again, 2.25pt with the same color as before. The cell background color says white but you don't have to change it to match the page color.
You can save both your Heading preferences and page setup as your default style. Every new document you make will use these settings automatically.
I really hope this was helpful and/or interesting!
As always, take what you want and leave the rest. Happy writing!
[call it good] writing
