Choosing a Word Processor to Develop Your eBook
When you are ready to start typing your e-Book, you should select a word processor. A word processor is simply some type of software application that allows you to type, modify, and format text (in electronic format). There are several popular word processors that you can use to write your e-Book, and many times you will have at least one word processor already installed on your computer (depending upon the operating system you have). I will briefly discuss some of the most popular brands below. Any of these word processing applications will work well, and you can use any one of them that you prefer (it doesn’t have to be one of the examples listed below).
Popular Word Processor Applications: Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, Microsoft Works, WordPad, OpenOffice Writer, and Google Docs.
Microsoft Word- This is a very well-known word processing application. It does not usually come pre-installed on computers (unless you upgraded to this version). It typically comes with the Microsoft Office package, although it can be purchased separately. The cost can range from $89.99-$199.99. If you decide to purchase this software, you can find it at most retail stores or online. For more information about the software, visit Microsoft.com.
Pros- It is well-known, with a familiar interface.
Cons- If you do not have it installed, it will cost money to buy the program. It also does not have a built-in PDF maker (unless it is the newest 2007 version or newer).
WordPerfect- This is also a well-known processing application & it is somewhat similar to Microsoft Word. It also costs money (although many computers may have this one installed already). The cost is usually much less expensive than Microsoft Word, at around $59.99-$99.99. One of the benefits is that it usually has a built-in PDF maker. This helps when you convert your guide to a PDF (as described later). If you decide to purchase this software, you can find it online at Corel.com.
Pros- It is also well-known, with a familiar interface. It may be installed on your computer. It also usually has a built-in PDF maker.
Cons- Costs money if you do not already have it installed on your computer.
Microsoft Works & WordPad- These are less-sophisticated applications when compared to the software choices above. They have basic features, and usually one (or both) will come installed free on a typical Microsoft operating system. These can also be used to create an e-Book, although they may lack in some features. They do not tend to have built-in PDF converters.
Pros- They are usually installed free on most PC’s.
Cons- They do not typically have built-in PDF converters. They are much more simple applications that may lack desired features & effects that other processors use.
OpenOffice Writer- OpenOffice Writer is a free word processor application that you can download for free online. It has similar features to that of other more expensive processors (such as WordPerftect & Word). It also contains a built-in PDF converter that allows you to publish your document to PDF format. To learn more about this application, or to download it for free visit OpenOffice.org.
Pros- This is a free application that has many comparable features to the Microsoft Office suite. It also allows you to publish to PDF.
Cons- It takes time to download onto you PC, has most features of other software but not all features.
Google Docs- Google Docs is a program that allows you to create spreadsheets, documents, presentations & more online. This is great for creating quick documents. It also has built-in PDF maker. The only problem is that you must be online, and you may be limited in the file sizes you are able to create (or publish to PDF). To access this free program, just visit docs.google.com.
Pros- Great resource of applications that are free, and do not require a download. Google is a very reliable company.
Cons- You may be limited on your file size, must stay connected to the web, and it does not have many robust features that can add quality to your e-Book (such as templates, tables, & more).
Again, any word processor will work. You do not have to have the best or most expensive application to create an e-Book. You can use any of the paid or free resources mentioned above. It is generally best to use a word processor with a built-in PDF maker, however, it is not required & I will go over the PDF converting process in a later chapter. Having a built-in PDF maker makes your life much easier if you ever need to make a correction & then re-convert to a PDF format. The important thing is to remember that when choosing you word processor, weigh the pros & cons of each option. Choose the application that you feel most comfortable using.
Also, if you aren’t familiar with using word processors at all, there are entire books dedicated to the subject. You can usually find a book for free at your local library (for example on how to use Microsoft Word). However, I will go over the basics of how to use a word processor to write your e-Book. Just keep in mind that there are other great resources if you need them.
Using a Word Processor for Your eBook
After you select a word processor, you can begin setting the margins, formatting, etc. This process may vary slightly depending on which word processor you use (also keep in mind that if you are using a free or less sophisticated application, some of these features may not be available).
Here are some things you will want to “format” before you begin typing your first words: Margins, any background templates or borders (if any), header/footer (if any), font size & color, and paragraph & line spacing format. Choose these things wisely because this will directly impact the finished appearance of your e-Book.
I will now briefly show you how you can set each one of these properties. For this example, I will be using WordPerfect as a word processor (which is what I used to write this e-Book). This process will be very similar to other word processors that you may use.
First, I created a new document by going to the upper left-hand corner & selecting File–>New. This creates a blank document that you can use to write your e-Book.
Next, I set the margins. To do this, I select File–> Page Setup. I then set the page margins to the desired setting as pictured below. For most of my e-Books, I use 1″ margins on all sides and set the page format to “portrait.” Then select, “OK.”
After the margins are adjusted, I adjust the font color & size. To do this, click on Format–> Font. I then select the color, size, and style of the font (as pictured below) and select “ok.” For this guide I used Times New Roman style, with 13 font size, and black text.
Next, you can adjust your paragraph formatting. To do this, simply click on Format–> Paragraph–> Format. You will then be able to set the indent & paragraph spacing to your preference. For this guide (in it’s PDF format), I used a 0.400″ indent with 1.5″ spacing.
You can then adjust your line spacing in the same way as pictured below. Select Format–> Line –> Spacing. You can also adjust the height of the line and other things if you wish.
Next, you can insert a header or footer. This is optional, of course, and you can insert anything you want (such as a copyright notice, website address, name, or anything else). To do this, just go to Insert –>Header/Footer –> then select which one (a header or footer) and type your message. Then, you will see a header & footer on each page.
Another option you have is to insert either a border or a basic background template. This is something you can do to give your e-Book a better appearance. To do this, go to Format –> Page –> Border/Fill. You can then select various lines & shadows to create any style you want to use.
For this e-Book, I simply used a line border with a drop shadow. It only took a few seconds to create this & I like it because it is simple, not too busy or colorful, and it frames the text nicely. As you can see in the picture above, you can create all kinds of different borders, lines, colors, and shadows. Feel free to experiment around with the different styles & pick a style that you feel is appropriate.
In addition to the background page borders, you can also insert lines, tables, images, and other objects (if your word processor allows it). For example, let’s say you want to insert a table. Tables are good for inserting tabular data, or to display images along side of text, or to keep text separated.
To create a table, you simple use the table tool. You can either click on the table icon shortcut on the toolbar, or select Table–> Create from the tab menus. You can create as many rows or columns as necessary. You can also change the color of the tables, and the width & height of each cell. Again, tables are great for displaying tabular data, or if you want to insert a picture inside of a paragraph.
Horizontal lines can also be easily added. Just simply go Insert–> Line–> Horizontal Line. This can be a useful feature to separate text nicely.
You can make the line any thickness, or color that you would like. This is great if you want to separate a paragraph or group of images.
How to Add Pictures (Images) & Screenshots to Your eBook
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Posted under Write an eBook, eBooks
This post was written by Ben on June 4, 2009
