WRITERS

RETREAT
Workshop Notes: Session 1
Gai Early

Table of Contents
Whats in a Book? The cover Front Matter Endpapers (front and back) Flyleaf Title page Dedication (Table of) Contents Foreword Preface Acknowledgments List of Contributors Text Section titles Chapters (List of) Tables (List of) Figures/ Illustrations/ Photos Footnotes /Endnotes Bibliography (References) Back Matter Appendices Glossary Notation, Symbols, Abbreviations, Acronyms, and other lists References Index Endpapers Dust Jacket (hardcover only) Back Cover Building a Project Planning basics Where are you going? Making the Lists Storyboards Journals The Snowflake Method Mind Mapping 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 9 9 9 9 10 11 12 13

Whats in a Book?

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Whats in a Book?
Okay, you want to write a book youve decided what to write about, youve even done the first few chapters but suddenly you have realized that there are a lot of extra components to a book that you havent thought of, or even been aware existed! This is not a huge issue. Particularly in the soft cover market there is a lot of variation on the way in which these parts are assembled. Some are omitted, others are condensed. The key items, which MUST be included, are the title, author, publishers name and imprint, and copyright details. So lets pick up a book and check them out.

The cover

This is the first part of the book to catch your eye and either makes you want to open it, or drop it like a hot potato. Marketing sources maintain that the cover has approximately 8 seconds to grab you as you browse the book store, newsagency, or library shelves, and many self-publishing and design service websites use this fact as a hook to market their services in graphic design. Quite simply, your cover should be eye-catching and at the same time give some hint of your books contents. Its a good idea to research the kinds of designs that other books in your genre are using so you can avoid inadvertently duplicating a concept. Hardcover books and soft cover /paperbacks can have slightly different components. For this topic we will use the traditional hardcover book as the standard. Non-fiction books can often have a lot more parts than fiction.

Front Matter
Front matter includes the materials at the beginning of a book, before the body of text proper. Front matter is often assembled last of all.

Endpapers (front and back)

When you open the book you will see that the inside of the cover has a piece of paper glued to it. This piece plus the very first page make up the endpapers. In older style books these could be elaborately marbled, or of a figured paper (perhaps with the publishers company logo, for example).

Flyleaf
The flyleaf often has the books title in a smaller, plainer typeface, and on the reverse the publisher and copyright details (the imprint).

Title page
The title page contains the full title and subtitle (if any) of the book, the complete names of the author or authors (including preferences for middle initials). If the book is a scholarly work, or reference book, the author/s qualifications (e.g. BA, PhD, M. Litt) and current affiliations (for example Member of the Royal College of Surgeons) are also included. These names will appear this way in the book and in promotional materials. In short, the title page gives the books essential credentials.

Dedication
You may include a brief dedication to mentors, family, friends, professional colleagues etc.

(Table of) Contents

The table of contents contains a complete listing of part titles (if any), chapter titles and numbers, chapter authors (if relevant) etc, referenced by their beginning page number. Page numbering for all pages before the first actual page of the text itself (Chapter 1 page 1) is traditionally numbered in lower case Roman Numerals (i, ii, iii etc) with the Title Page usually not actually showing its number. Appendices, glossaries and other end matter should also be included in the Table of Contents.

Foreword
The foreword is not written by the author of a book, but rather by an expert in the field, or a prominent personality, who is able to commend your work to readers.

Preface
The preface of a non-fiction book presents a short summary of the how, why, and what of your book. This is where you explain the gap you identified in existing literature, your unique approach to the subject, and a little about the books content. Its important to realise that potential readers will often pick up a book (if the cover grabs them), skim the preface to see what its all about, and then flick the pages to see if the style/illustrations/subject is what theyre looking for. You can also include your acknowledgements (as detailed below) in the preface, especially if they enhance your books credibility by being included in your mission statement (which is what the preface is really all about). If you want to have a separate dedication as clear and distinct from acknowledgements - (such as To my darling Joe without whose foot-rubs, shoulderrubs and endless coffee-making, I could never have completed this project. Luv ya babe!) it goes immediately after the title page (see above).

Whats in a Book?

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Acknowledgments
This is where you can thank people who have assisted you in some way, such as with research or specialist advice, contributed segments or expertise (publishers editor, literary agent, professional adviser, work/project colleagues etc), This is also where you acknowledge institutions (for books which are research reports etc), any funding or grants, youve won (scholarships, Arts Queensland etc) and anyone else you need to acknowledge in some way.

List of Contributors
If you are compiling an edited book with individual chapter/story/ authors, you can if you wish include a list of contributors at the front of the book. In this instance its usual to include a potted bio of each, either in the list or at the beginning of the relevant chapter/section. Your potted bio will usually include something like:
Fred Brown was born in Dublin in 1951. He studied English Literature at Dublin University and taught Modern Poetry at post-graduate level for 20 years. His first novel The Shannon was critically acclaimed and won the Irish Writers Award of 1987. He now has 23 novels and five volumes of original poetry to his credit. Firelight is his first published short story. Fred now lives in Co. Mayo with his wife and six cats. *

Text
The bulk of your book will be the text and the accompanying elements such as tables and figures. The most common text elements are listed below.

Section titles

You may choose to group your chapters into sections or parts. These are numbered with Arabic or Roman numerals. Part titles should be short. Part titles should be included in your table of contents, and a (Title) page with each part title should be placed in its proper order in the hard copy of your manuscript. In fiction its not uncommon to have Book 1, Book 2 etc, or to divide a story into literal or figurative divisions like seasons, or Characters name for their section of the story.

Chapters
Chapters are numbered with Arabic numerals. Chapter titles should be kept fairly short. Chapters can vary in length, generally between 40 and 80 double- spaced pages. If you have a chapter that is running longer than 80 pages, consider breaking it into two or three separate chapters. In fiction, short chapters (one or two paragraphs to a couple of pages) can be used as an effective dramatic device to provide flashbacks, shifts between past and present, and different narrative viewpoints.

* In case youre wondering, Fred Brown is a figment of my imagination!

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(List of) Tables

Tables are used to summarise statistics and precise or comparative data in some non-fiction books and if used should be listed with their title and page number, e.g.
Table 3: Comparison of book sales by genre 1993-1997 26

(List of) Figures/ Illustrations/ Photos

These present visual data and should be listed in the same way as tables. They should also be cross-referenced in the main text if they dont appear on the same page. Examples of this are selections of photographs reproduced in biographies, which are inserted in a separate section or sections because the paper on which they are printed is a higher quality and the cost of printing the whole book on this paper would be exorbitant.

Footnotes /Endnotes
Footnotes usually appear at the foot of the page; endnotes can appear either at the end of the chapter or occasionally at the end of the book. They can explain, enhance information presented, or simply reference a quoted source. Most word processors allow the automatic insertion of footnotes, including superscript Arabic numbers. Footnotes can be distracting and intrusive if they are too long. In some late 19th/early 20th Century works, the footnotes could occupy up to one third of the page, potentially confusing the reader and breaking the flow of the overall work. Lets face it, if the information is important enough to be placed at the bottom of the page, it must be important enough to read straight away! Similarly the Harvard (or author-date) system of referencing source books and journals as part of the text can also distract and disrupt the readers attention. Example:
The practice of painting a front door green to attract fertility and abundance began in the 17th century (Jones, 1967) and was carried through in some parts of Blanketville to the late 1990s.

This is followed by the footnote at the bottom of the page with full publication details. An endnote places this information at the end of the chapter.
Jones, Marguerite, Fertility Beliefs, Smith & Co, New York, 1967, pages 257 - 263.

Footnote or Oxford style referencing would place this information at the bottom of the page, so the sentence would read:
The practice of painting a front door green to attract fertility and abundance began in the 17th century2 and was carried through in some parts of Blanketville to the late 1990s.

Whats in a Book?

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The footnote would appear with its reference number:

2Jones, Marguerite, Fertility Beliefs, Smith & Co, New York, 1967, pages 257 - 263

The Oxford system uses a shortened form for repeated references from the same location, or alternatively the older styled Latin abbreviations:
2Jones, page 257 263 (more usually Jones, pp 257-263) OR 2Jones, ibid. (if the reference is the same as the previous reference) OR 2Jones op. cit. p. 380 (if the reference is to the same book and author but a different page.)

If you are writing non-fiction and referring to others work the normal practice is to reference each quote or paraphrasing from which you are drawing your new conclusions, so that the footnote/endnote is in the relevant chapter.

Bibliography (References)
This is where you cite everyone whose work youve referred to, without including the page numbers. If you have a number of articles by different authors in your book, these references go at then end of their particular chapter. It is vital if you are using a bibliography, that your publication data for referenced works is complete. This enables your reader to locate the quote accurately, as if a book is re-issued by a different publisher, in a different format or edition, the page numbers will change. If you are quoting from others research, its crucial to reference all sources. Magazines and journals are referenced by author, article title, magazine name, volume and issue numbers, and date of publication. Newspaper articles are referenced by writer (if byline is given), article title newspaper name, date and page. Web pages (including online transcripts of interviews etc, should be referenced by their URL or web address (see examples throughout these notes.)

Back Matter
The materials at the end of a book, after the body of text. The page numbering continues from the last chapter of text.

Appendices

An appendix is an additional chunk of information designed to add to the main text, but which would interrupt the flow if inserted in the text. Appendices are usually summaries or excerpts from some-one elses work and you will need to follow citation and copyright protocols with these, if applicable. Examples of appendices include a complete poem, or a summary of historical background, or a Further Reading list. They are appended in the order in which they are cited in the main text, with general appendices (reading list for example) following after those mentioned
Whats in a Book? Page 7 of 13

in the main text. You may prefer to be less formal and simply title them, rather than referring to Appendix 3: Reading list.

Glossary
A glossary is a list of technical terms and their definitions. (And yes it is a specific type of appendix!) It can also be a summary of mythological or imaginary and historical characters, an explanation of foreign language words or terms used extensively, or definitions of social structures you have made up for the purpose of your novel.

Notation, Symbols, Abbreviations, Acronyms, and other lists

If you use these in your book its often helpful for the reader to have a reference list to refresh the memory or to clarify! Use the full name and abbreviation/acronym the first time, and then use the abbreviation. (Also a good point to remember for job applications). For example:
The Coloured Electronic Dreamcatcher (CED) was first used in Arizona in 1995, and proved so effective in its design that 15 years later the same design is marketed worldwide. Predicted sales of the CED in 2010 are at least 3 million in the USA alone.

References
As described above. If references are not inserted after each chapter (different authors only), they appear at the end of the text.

Index

Your book may be professionally indexed if the subject matter requires the ability to quickly locate mentions of a particular topic.

Endpapers
Your book will have endpapers in the back just as it did at the front.

Dust Jacket (hardcover only)

The dust jacket is usually colourful and eye-catching, with the title and your name on the front. The inside front flap will usually be a synopsis of your book, while the inside back flap has a short biography and quite often your photo. The back of the dust jacket can also be used for a biography and photo.

Back Cover
While your front cover will have the title, your name, and some kind of artwork on it, the back cover usually combines a synopsis of the book, a few one-line reviewers comments, and sometimes a very short potted bio and the authors photo.

Whats in a Book?

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Building a Project

Planning basics
Knowing where you're going when youre writing works just as well as it does if youre travelling! The difference is, that people like me (those unfortunate souls who can get lost going to the corner store in a strange place) cant always find a GPS to keep them on the road. Add that to the writers block that hits all of use sooner or later, and you have perfect ingredients for anything from minor bingles to a complete write-off of the creative vehicle. If you havent done some trip planning before you even get into the car.

Where are you going?

Do you want to share experiences, instruct, share an explanation of something, or simply tell a story? Is it fiction, or non-fiction? Keep in mind that fiction can also instruct if your imagined characters are placed in a situation where they explore and discover information! Step #1 of any successful project is planning how youre going to do this.

Making the Lists

You might be a list person thats easy! Youll need two lists one for the actual writing, and ne for all the other stuff. Heres a sample: My Writing List Task Define my subject Write a list of possible sub-topics List research required What do I need to do? Write a short description of what my book is about Write a short description of each topic What do I need to research? Do I need to visit places? Interview people? Source old documents? When by? 1st May 1st June 15th June

Draft Chapter 1

1st July Research my first topic and write up the results OR Write the first chapter of my story

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Keep going with and amending the list until it works for you.

My General List Task Decide what format I want to publish in What do I need to do? Research costs of self-publishing OR Research possible markets and publishers who might be interested by reading other books in my field and seeing who published them Work up a graphic concept for cover for a graphic artist OR Discuss with my publisher Do I need an introduction? Preface? Foreword? Appendices? Etc. When by? 1st August

Book Cover

1st September

Decide what additional Front Matter and Back Matter is required

1st October

Most of us are far more concerned about the writing process than we are with the practical general tasks involved. The bottom line here is that there are professionals who can assist with the general tasks, but its our individual voice, story, or viewpoint that only we can provide.

Storyboards
If youve watched any of those The Making of documentaries, youll have some idea of what a storyboard looks like, but how does it apply to planning and writing a book? Okay! Every book, movie, story, play has a beginning, a middle and an end. At the beginning, we get a sense of the situation, or the purpose, of the work. Then, the middle expands, explains, and moves our knowledge forwards. The end concludes the work, by explaining the mystery, solving the crime, providing conclusions and solutions. Remember those sticky imitation corkboards that were the rage in offices about 15 years ago? Basically all you need is a large surface, some index cards or yellow post-it notes, and something that you can stick the cards (or other materials) to the board with. Stick glue, spray-on removable adhesive, blu-tak as long as it will stick the small to the large and allow you to reposition as needed, it doesnt matter.
Planning Your Project Page 10 of 13

This is where you can write notes with ideas, stick them on, rearrange the order, group them, and generally experiment with your content to your hearts content. You can also use cards for characters and arrange them in the groups you want them to interact in, add pictures or house plans for the situation, or plot your story.

Journals
The writers journal is an old device. Quite simply it's the ever-present, highly portable catch-all for ideas, newspaper clippings, jottings about books to read, or information sources. Its also a working diary in the sense that it can, if you wish, capture other details of your daily routine. Essentially, your journal records ideas, anecdotes, perhaps snippets of conversation heard on a train, and in fact any moments of inspiration you may have. Sleep with it beside your bed, carry it in a pocket or bag, and every so often review the contents with a packet of those little multi-coloured stick-on flags so that you can start to assemble all the bits that fit together for a particular project. I promise you, having a bound page on which to jot that flash of inspiration beats the living daylights out of drink coasters, shopper dockets and old envelopes! For starters, your significant other is far less likely to toss it in the rubbish, not having recognised its significance.

Planning Your Project

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The Snowflake Method

The Snowflake Method was developed by Randy Ingermanson, and his article is included in full with his permission in your resources. The article relates to the design and development of a novel but the method can also be applied to non-fiction, and I have adapted a possible application, summarised here. Step 1 Write a sentence describing the book you want to write, for example
My book explores the legendary connection between green eyes and psychic ability.

Step 2 Write a paragraph expanding on that sentence, for example

My book explores the connection between green eyes and psychic ability to establish if there is evidence to support the legend. Primary evidence will be gathered by testing 50 self-identified psychics under laboratory conditions. Additional testing with genuine clients seeking psychic insights will analyse the subjects abilities in a real life situation. Each client will be interviewed to assess the overall accuracy and relevance of the readings given to them.

Step 3 Split the sentences of your previous paragraph into separate new paragraphs, and expand on each in the same way. Consider i) How will I find (or where did I find) this information? ii) What evidence (or additional material) will I need to include, describe, and reference? Step 4 At this stage, you should have a draft overview of what you want to achieve (and thus the basic data you need to develop your own Project Plan), and also the basis for a synopsis to submit to a publisher. Step 5 Once you have done your research and gathered your support material (photos, anecdotes, references to other authors etc), repeat Steps 2 and 3, expanding further on the results of Step 3, so that each sentence becomes the basis for a chapter.

Notes on the Snowflake Method

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Mind Mapping
Mind mapping is a simple brainstorming technique that takes advantage of the non-linear and intuitive approach of the right side of your brain. This is a very simple method, but there is also some (rather pretty) software out there which produces Mind Maps like the illustration on the right. Its called NovaMind 5 and theres more information in your resources list. Doing it yourself is a lot of fun and works in group and individual situations and its very cheap! There are two key requirements: A large sheet of white paper (or a whiteboard) A packet of cheap felt tip pens in assorted colours.

The trick is to use the non-linear and multicoloured approach to break through the normal left-brain logical orderly processes and release right-brain creativity. Lets assume you want to write a poem about water: start by putting the word water in the middle of your page. Next, grab a coloured pen (any colour) and draw a line and write a word or idea connected with water. If another related idea immediately follows, use the same coloured pen to add it to the previous word. A different idea? Great! Draw another line and write it down using a different colour.
The Overlander Train Steam WATER Kettle Hot tea Cakes and scones 4 oclock Iceberg Ice River Sparkling Cool Swift

This approach can be used for planning, and also for creating ideas.
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