Get your ebook published! Format Right!

They say there is a novel in everyone. It could be fiction or non-fiction. But, if not formatted properly it would be a reader's nightmare. So you would do well to get into formatting before you start or even now that you have reached the self publishing stage. 

Formatting right for e-books is not a choice; it is a compulsion for the modern day e reader's viewability has a set pattern. 

E -publishing calls you the publisher so it is unavoidable to FORMAT! Tomorrow will be a breeze i think! YES!  I Believe! But let's be honest - nobody gives a newbie writer a huge deal unless you're Stephen King or J.K. Rowling! So i'm glad there is indiE-publishing! I truly believe e-publishing is here to stay.

Useful Tips that helped me format my book

Get your file saved in another location or folder and leave that one alone.

Keep the show/hide feature from the menu or word options Display so you can see the extra paragraph/carriage returns and other formatting marks. The tab space has circle in front of the return symbol and the tabs have arrows. the extra space bar has an extra dot and enter has a mirror image of P!

 Remove all the extra spaces and paragraphs created with space and tab (an absolute no no if you want your file to flow seamlessly in the e reader - kindle, i pad, i phone...
 

 Just click 'Replace' in the right hand side enter ^t in 'options' and leave it blank in 'replace with' field. To remove the extra spaces in Options in the replace filed click  'two 'spaces by tapping two spaces literally, in the modify field replace the extra space with one. I literally shouted out in joy seeing the document, it looked so sparkly clean, like a house at Christmas.

Add a page break after every chapter. Instead of using other errors that will corrupt it for Kindle, Smashwords...

Use paragraph enter/returns just once.

If you are uploading into Kindle, check your book in the Kindle previewer. A tip when you do that save the file you uploaded as draft until you are satisfied for the book will be online within 12-24 hours approx. These simple tips could help you.

Linking to chapters with the TOC in Word

Word has a nifty TOC (table of contents). And, is easy if you have chosen one style for heading i.e. you chapters and another for your title and one for the body text. To ensure you are using the same style - right click and choose modify over a heading style and choose Times New Roman, Arial  Bold which are the fonts in most e readers. After you click modify, choose the point size as 14 here. Click for tips on TOC here.

I found this out after my toc included my title author name and a line from one of the paragraphs. Once i realised the toc wasn’t working on the kindle previewer, i worked on the above hints with TOC. Check them here.

Go through the smashwords style guide,which is also available free as a PDF. It is by Mark Coker and works on most e - publishing services.


Advertising writing tips here.

Discover a zen-state with zentangle!

Get tangled in zenoodling or Zentangle^(R) 

If you doodled while listening to a call, lecture, while watching television you will find Zentangle intriguing. While reading a blog post i was fascinated by this relaxing art where the best part is you can indulge in Zentangle without fear of failure. The feeling of relaxation is amazing. If new to this art form you need not be anxious as non-artists often are for after a while you feel comfortable. It’s as if the zentangle reassures you that you can do it! I call this zenoodling!

So get tangled in tangling!

It is fun to do and very relaxing. 

Zentangle was created by Maria Thomas and Rick Roberts around 10 years ago. When Maria told Rick of her almost #Zen like feeling when she sketched her designs and ‘Zentangle’ was born.

Zentangle is doodling with line patterns, shapes and textures using a Sakura pen on a tile of 3.5 inches. I use an ordinary gel pen on paper available (often a journal which i write in or where i sketch an idea (the only difference being i use black gel pen for tangling).

Zentangle is quite similar to henna designs done in India which have patterns that are drawn, filled with a paste of henna leaves. As kids, we made a rough paste and applied it as circles which were the easiest to achieve without a cone. 

Zentangle is unplanned and abstract. The nowness when drawing or the mindfulness makes it meditation like. Right now, i am just experimenting with some of the simple designs trying out something that strikes me. Simple to elaborate designs are available on zentangle.com. The tutorials on you tube also help. 

Get started and get ‘tangled’

You could use colours or mixed media as you like. A 3-1/2 inch square is recommended but i ‘zen-doodle’ wherever i find space while writing, while working out an idea, watching television. It could be the cheapest, affordable way to art. The usually black and white designs can also turn out to be an art form with practice.

Zentangle your design

T-shirts, tiles, ceramics, fabrics are perfect for your designs. These are called Zentangle-inspired art.

Zentangle has reached a fine art with creative designs being loaded http://zentangle.com and so many other sites. I found some very simple pattern with sketches how to do it here http://tanglepatterns.com/zentangles 

Video tutorials are also available- check my favourite ‘art jounaling’ expert milliande on you tube. There are also many books available on Amazon. The patterns on these sites are for your personal use only. How to draw ‘allium’ is my all time favourite right now. Check it out on http://tanglepatterns.com/2012/03/how-to-draw-allium.html

PORTFOLIO - get that foot in the agency door

Ready for that copywriting job. Then time to get that portfolio ready!

Make your 'book' or portfolio stand out with out-of-the-box creatives. A few tips on what to add and leave out could help you get through that door. So go ahead check these tips. And, get a foot in that agency door...

Also click here to check 9 tips on ezine

http://ezinearticles.com/?9-Tips-to-Build-Your-Ad-Portfolio-and-Get-a-Job-As-Copywriter&id=6839530

Basics for writing Headlines

Start with basics to write a great headline

• Write down the benefits 
• Get the ‘reason why’ clear.
• Choose the one that will make a difference.
• Compare them with those of the competitor
• Choose the one that is key to your brand!

Creative Prompt:

• Try headlines in each of the type of headlines and see how ideas will fly off your mind. Once you get into the groove - new ideas and headlines will itch to be written down. Do not stop them or analyze them.

• Once you have written them, check if they suit the USP – the feature that you have chosen to sell the brand

Nothing is more important than getting the headline right. Not winning a Cannes award or any other award! Of course, they are always welcome!

Check out 10 tips to Great Headlines 

How to write Copy

bade achche lagte hain - Sizzle or fizzle

After the famous or infamous bedroom scene in Bade Achche lagte hain - the late night Indian Serial -things haven't been the same, since. It's the talk of the town so to speak...dunno why!! It seems more of a 'have i sinned' kind of feel – the scene prolonged for the whole episode seemed a little overdone.

Nevertheless things are going to get steamier if the trp's are to speak. What do you feel? Are you comfortable with these scenes in the drawing room with family members gathering to watch the till now ‘innocent’ serial. People loved the serial for its fresh perspective on older couple marriage - guy is 40 and girl uhmm lady is in her 30's. – a new for Indian television replete with serial of saas - bahu and love spurned -  similar story lines with the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law going hammer tongs or one ruling over the other in the most ridiculous manner.

A few like Sasural Gendha Phool, Parvarrish, were changing their formats and it was a breath of fresh air and so is BALH riding the popularity graph with a different story lines. Even the latest Kya hua tera vaada caught up when the other woman came into the picture. Think we should wait and watch.

With the scene in BALH  do you think Indian television has grown up with the 'consummation scene' in Bade Achche lagte hain and other serials. Do post your views.

Who will direct your biopic?

Who will play your role in this biopic? Choose the actor/actress for the prompt below

What if a movie was being made on your life, who would be your choice of director? Well, since this is a creative prompt go right ahead and choose the best you want. Budget is no constraint, after all!

So go ahead choose the best director to direct your biopic.

Also write a 500 word concept note to interest the director which gives an idea of your life and sketches a rough idea of the story.