The most commonly accepted format these days is 12 point Arial or Times Roman (I prefer Arial) with 1-inch margins on top and bottom and 1 ¼ inch right and left margins.

Put page numbering at the bottom left hand corner or center. If you prefer, you can also create a header with title of book, page number or the author, page number. Consistency will be the key. Whatever the other e-books have, you will want to do the same.

Try and keep your points together into one paragraph. Then move onto the next paragraph with new details and new topics and points. It might help you to create an outline at first of how you want to write your book.

Always try and say it in as few as words as necessary. I usually go back over my written draft and see if I can eliminate words. I'm known to be a tad bit wordy! J

You can do this page by page or in chunks too.

Take a pad and paper with you everywhere. Once you start writing, you will find that ideas will come to you at different times. If you don't write them down quickly you'll forget them and they'll gone forever.

If you're topic can be researched, spend the time and do some researching. The Internet is a wonderful tool for this. Do a search on Google or go to a bookstore or library.

For formatting your paper, make sure widow/orphan protection is on¾there should not be single lines of text at the top or bottom of a page.

Additional Formatting Tips:

· Numbers that start a sentence need to be written out.

· In sentences that require numbering of items, use double parenthesis instead of singular. (1) instead of 1)

· In quotations, the punctuation comes before the end quote (." instead of ".)

· Use em dashes—instead of dashes between words. It's found in Insert under Symbols.

· Titles of books and magazines should be placed in italics.