One of the greatest benefits of tablets and eReaders is the freedom that they give writers. You can keep up with the latest industry news, read the most current novels, and even draft your own novel all from a single tablet. However, drafting a novel or an eBook of any kind requires a little extra know how. Here are some tips for writing out your book more efficiently on a tablet.
Always Invest in a Backup System
No matter where you're working, you should always make sure that you have a backup system ready to save your work. Dropbox is one of the best free ones that you can upload your work to. Most tablets have somewhat lower retrieval features as compared to laptops and desktops. Even on a laptop or desktop, you can easily lose all of your hard work. It's even simpler to lose everything on a tablet. So make sure that you either have it set to automatically sync up and save or take the time to manually save it off.
No matter where you're working, you should always make sure that you have a backup system ready to save your work. Dropbox is one of the best free ones that you can upload your work to. Most tablets have somewhat lower retrieval features as compared to laptops and desktops. Even on a laptop or desktop, you can easily lose all of your hard work. It's even simpler to lose everything on a tablet. So make sure that you either have it set to automatically sync up and save or take the time to manually save it off.
Take Advantage of Shortcut Keys
Just about all tablets including the Nook tablet have features that allow you to recode shortcut keys. Most of the time, you can even set your own shortcuts. You just type in a shortened version of the phrase or word that you want the program to automatically replace when you enter it in. This can save a significant amount of typing time, and it also makes typing on the electronic keyboard somewhat easier. Even if you invest in an external keyboard, it's good to set up these shortcuts to save your time.
Just about all tablets including the Nook tablet have features that allow you to recode shortcut keys. Most of the time, you can even set your own shortcuts. You just type in a shortened version of the phrase or word that you want the program to automatically replace when you enter it in. This can save a significant amount of typing time, and it also makes typing on the electronic keyboard somewhat easier. Even if you invest in an external keyboard, it's good to set up these shortcuts to save your time.
Do Not Open Multiple Windows
One of the primary reasons that programs force close is because the tablet becomes overloaded. So when you're working on your eBook, make sure that the other programs and windows are closed. You'll work better if you aren't trying to multitask anyway. Remember that unless the writing program that you're using specifically states that it includes an auto save feature, your program likely does not have it. This means that you will lose whatever you were working on up to the last save point.
One of the primary reasons that programs force close is because the tablet becomes overloaded. So when you're working on your eBook, make sure that the other programs and windows are closed. You'll work better if you aren't trying to multitask anyway. Remember that unless the writing program that you're using specifically states that it includes an auto save feature, your program likely does not have it. This means that you will lose whatever you were working on up to the last save point.
Save in a.RTF or.TXT Format
You can save your eBook in all kinds of forms when you're in the initial drafting stage. Often times, writing programs that you can download for your tablet will want to save the files in special formats that only their programs can open. Don't do this. Almost all writing programs on tablets and laptops alike allow you the option to save the document as either an .rtf or .txt file. Make sure that you choose one of these. Your formatting will be lost, but you should not be worried about formatting just yet anyway. You need to save the file in this basic form so that you can easily access it from other systems and to help prevent the file from becoming corrupted.
You can save your eBook in all kinds of forms when you're in the initial drafting stage. Often times, writing programs that you can download for your tablet will want to save the files in special formats that only their programs can open. Don't do this. Almost all writing programs on tablets and laptops alike allow you the option to save the document as either an .rtf or .txt file. Make sure that you choose one of these. Your formatting will be lost, but you should not be worried about formatting just yet anyway. You need to save the file in this basic form so that you can easily access it from other systems and to help prevent the file from becoming corrupted.
Format and Then Double Check on a Separate System
If you decide to format your eBook for publication on your tablet, make sure that you take the time to proofread everything. Go over it with a fine toothed comb to make sure that you don't miss any grammar problems or formatting issues. However, when you're done, go ahead and send the file to another computer. Then take the time to check out the formatting on a desktop or laptop. If you have done it right, your eBook will look largely the same. If you haven't, you need to track down the reasons that the file is not being read properly and correct it.
If you decide to format your eBook for publication on your tablet, make sure that you take the time to proofread everything. Go over it with a fine toothed comb to make sure that you don't miss any grammar problems or formatting issues. However, when you're done, go ahead and send the file to another computer. Then take the time to check out the formatting on a desktop or laptop. If you have done it right, your eBook will look largely the same. If you haven't, you need to track down the reasons that the file is not being read properly and correct it.
No comments:
Post a Comment