How to Format the First Draft of a Novel?

So, you’ve got your first draft underway—congratulations!

Now comes the next big question: How do you format it?

Formatting might not sound as exciting as crafting your plot or developing your characters, but trust me, it’s an important step in the process.

A properly formatted draft can make your manuscript easier to read, edit, and even submit to agents or publishers down the line.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the basics of formatting your first draft so you can focus on your writing without the headache of wondering if you’re doing it right.

 

Margins and Page Setup

When it comes to margins, consistency is key.

Most writers set their margins at 1-inch on all sides of the page.

This is standard and ensures that your document looks clean and professional.

It’s also a good idea to use a standard page size like 8.5 x 11 inches, which is the typical size for manuscripts.

For the line spacing, double-spacing is the norm.

Not only does this give your work room to breathe, but it also makes it easier for editors and agents to read, add notes, or mark up your draft.

So, go ahead and select double spacing in your document settings.

It’s simple, but it makes a world of difference.

 

Font and Styles

The next piece of the puzzle is your font.

While you may be tempted to choose something super fancy or artsy, it’s best to stick with the classics.

Times New Roman, 12-point font is the most widely accepted and recommended for drafts.

Why?

It’s easy to read, looks professional, and makes your manuscript easy to work with.

Now, about those headings and scene breaks.

For your first draft, you won’t need anything too fancy—just a standard scene break.

You can use a simple line or an asterisk (** * **), centred on the page, to indicate a shift in scenes.

Don’t worry about formatting your chapter titles or headers too much right now—that’s for later drafts when you’re polishing your work.

 

Title Page and Headers

Before diving into your first draft, let’s quickly talk about the title page and header.

These are the elements that will be included when you eventually submit your manuscript, but it’s good to start them early.

Your title page should include:

• Your name (or pen name, if you’re using one)

• The title of your novel

• Your contact information (email, phone number, website, etc.)

 

For the header, on each page of your manuscript, include:

• Your last name

• The book title (or an abbreviated version if it’s long)

• The page number (aligned to the right)

 

This keeps your draft neat and easy to follow, especially if your pages get separated (and trust me, that can happen!).

 

What to Do Next?

Once your first draft is formatted, don’t worry too much about making it perfect.

The first draft is all about getting your ideas down on the page, and formatting can always be cleaned up later.

What matters is the story you’re telling, not whether the page numbers are aligned just so.

 

Need a Little Extra Help Organizing Your Draft?

If you’re looking for more than just formatting tips, The Ultimate Author’s Planner can help you stay organized throughout the entire writing process.

From writing goals to pacing trackers and checklists and templates, it’s designed to keep you on track while also allowing you to structure your novel in a way that works for you.

The Ultimate Author’s Planner is the perfect companion for both beginners and seasoned writers, offering all the tools you need to write your novel from start to finish—and beyond.

Whether you need help structuring your chapters or keeping track of your word count, this planner has got you covered.

 

Need more help?

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Happy writing,