I aim to make my books a work of art, inside and out. My artistic covers have won several contests. And when you open them, you can see how carefully I have considered every detail inside. This includes the choice of font, the size of different fields of text, the white space around blocks of text, the indentation of the first paragraph in the story as compared to the indentation of following paragraphs--all of which create a balance; a black-and white environment for you to sail away into the story.
In the case of my novel, Apart from Love, I have focused on several design details. For example, the first letter of each chapter in the book is unique, in the traditional manner of illuminated manuscripts. This special attention to the first letter signifies a beginning of a new thought, and an invitation to the reader to pause before delving in.
I chose a fancy font for the first letter, called Kokonor. Furthermore, I placed it carefully, like a piece of art, in relation to the following letters. This can not be done simply by typing the letters and selecting different fonts--but rather by adding a 'text box' and carefully placing it on the page, letting the text rearrange itself around it.
Here, in Anita's voice, is the text for the opening of the chapter shown above:
"Since the bleeding began, I’ve been missing my ma more and more. If she was here I could ask her, like, How come I feel so alone. How come I can see, all of a sudden I can now see how my youth is wasting away in this place. Like, I have no air, I’m wilting here. And Lenny, he don’t even pay no attention, ‘cause he’s back to his usual thing, which is: comb his thinning, gray hair—sleek it back, real slow and careful—and then work all day, write all night, either out or away.
Me, I thought getting married was meant to change things—but then, if things are changing it’s not for the better."
In the case of my novel, Apart from Love, I have focused on several design details. For example, the first letter of each chapter in the book is unique, in the traditional manner of illuminated manuscripts. This special attention to the first letter signifies a beginning of a new thought, and an invitation to the reader to pause before delving in.
I chose a fancy font for the first letter, called Kokonor. Furthermore, I placed it carefully, like a piece of art, in relation to the following letters. This can not be done simply by typing the letters and selecting different fonts--but rather by adding a 'text box' and carefully placing it on the page, letting the text rearrange itself around it.
Here, in Anita's voice, is the text for the opening of the chapter shown above:
"Since the bleeding began, I’ve been missing my ma more and more. If she was here I could ask her, like, How come I feel so alone. How come I can see, all of a sudden I can now see how my youth is wasting away in this place. Like, I have no air, I’m wilting here. And Lenny, he don’t even pay no attention, ‘cause he’s back to his usual thing, which is: comb his thinning, gray hair—sleek it back, real slow and careful—and then work all day, write all night, either out or away.
Me, I thought getting married was meant to change things—but then, if things are changing it’s not for the better."
★ Love reading? Treat yourself to a family drama ★
Volume I & II, woven together:
"A feast for the armchair psychologist.
Reveals insights that can touch and frighten each of us"
Interesting. It's very effective--thank you for letting us know how you do it.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Sheila. Yes, that first letter of the chapter is both traditional and effective. Haven't figured out a way to do it in ebook, yet.
DeleteI have selected you for the Liebster Award--check it out here to find out what this means:
ReplyDeletehttp://niksblog-authorinprogress.blogspot.com
Thank you so much Nikki! It's quite an honor.
DeleteHi Uvi--here are the 11 questions I forgot to send!
ReplyDelete1. Why did you start a blog?
2. What TV shows do you watch?
3. Fancy restaurant or hamburger joint?
4. Favorite leisure activity?
5. Would you consider yourself serious or light-hearted?
6. Favorite genre in books you read?
7. Coffee or tea?
8. Cats or dogs or both?
9. Introvert or extrovert?
10. Favorite movie
11. When indulging yourself do you go for sweet or salty?
Yes Nikki, I saw these on your article. Thank you so much!
Delete