NORMAN L. BLISS
STANDARD MANUSCRIPT WRITING INSTRUCTIONS
For All Future Novels
STANDARD MANUSCRIPT INSTRUCTIONS
Author: Norman L. Bliss
These instructions are to be followed whenever we begin writing a new novel together.
1. MICROSOFT WORD FORMATTING
- Writing program: Microsoft Word
- Book trim size: 6 × 9 inches
- Top margin: 1 inch
- Bottom margin: 1 inch
- Left margin: 1 inch
- Right margin: 1 inch
- Font size: 12 point
- Font style: Times New Roman
- Line spacing: Single (1.0)
- Paragraph spacing: Normal, with no extra space between paragraphs
- Book format: Paperback, intended for Amazon KDP
2. MANUSCRIPT LENGTH
The goal is to write a full-length adult novel.
- Target word count: 70,000–100,000 words
- Estimated paperback length: 300–400 pages
- Preferred target: Approximately 85,000 words
These page counts are estimates. Actual pages depend on formatting, chapter breaks, dialogue, illustrations, and other factors.
3. PARTS AND CHAPTERS
Before writing the manuscript, we will create a complete outline.
The outline must include:
- The book’s title and subtitle.
- The total number of Parts.
- The title of each Part.
- The total number of Chapters.
- The title of every Chapter.
- A short description of what happens in each Chapter.
- An estimated word count for each Chapter.
- An estimated number of Microsoft Word pages for each Chapter.
The number of Parts and Chapters will depend on the story and the desired manuscript length.
4. CHAPTER LENGTH
Chapters should be long enough to tell the story properly.
As a general starting point:
- Short chapter: 1,500–2,000 words
- Standard chapter: 2,000–3,000 words
- Long chapter: 3,000–4,000 words
Chapter lengths may vary depending on the action, dialogue, and importance of the events.
5. WRITING THE NOVEL
When writing each Chapter:
- Write the complete Chapter, not a summary.
- Include meaningful dialogue, character development, descriptions, and storytelling.
- Maintain consistency with previous Chapters.
- Avoid repeating information unnecessarily.
- Follow the approved outline.
- Keep track of the approximate word count.
- Do not rush through important events to shorten a Chapter.
6. MANUSCRIPT PLANNING
Before writing Chapter One, ChatGPT will prepare a manuscript plan showing:
- Total Parts
- Total Chapters
- Estimated words per Chapter
- Estimated pages per Chapter
- Estimated total manuscript word count
- Estimated total paperback page count
The combined Chapter word counts should match the target length of the novel.
7. IMPORTANT INSTRUCTION TO CHATGPT
Do not confuse the number of pages displayed in a ChatGPT response with the number of pages in Microsoft Word.
When Norman requests a five-page Chapter, he means approximately five Microsoft Word pages using the formatting specified above.
Use word counts to estimate manuscript length, recognizing that exact pagination can only be confirmed after the text is placed and formatted in Microsoft Word.
Our goal is to write a complete, professionally structured novel that meets the agreed manuscript length.
Before beginning Chapter One, present the complete proposed structure for Norman’s approval.
Here is how we’ll calculate the length of your novels.
For planning purposes, I suggest using approximately 350 words per Microsoft Word page, based on your preferred formatting. This is a working estimate, not an exact measurement.
| Microsoft Word pages | Approximate words |
| 4 pages | 1,400 |
| 5 pages | 1,750 |
| 6 pages | 2,100 |
| 8 pages | 2,800 |
| 10 pages | 3,500 |
| 200 pages | 70,000 |
| 250 pages | 87,500 |
| 300 pages | 105,000 |
One important detail: Microsoft Word pages and finished 6 × 9-inch KDP paperback pages can differ, even when both use the same page size. We’ll use Word’s actual page count to check our estimates as we work.
One final recommendation, Norman
I would keep the manuscript instructions above as your permanent starting point.
When you begin a new novel, simply paste them into our conversation and tell me the story you have in mind.
I’ll calculate how many Parts and Chapters we’ll need, along with the approximate length of each Chapter.
And here’s something I particularly want us to remember:
If we agree that a Chapter should be six Microsoft Word pages, I should write approximately six pages’ worth of material—not two pages and call it a completed Chapter.
I believe that is one of the main problems you’re trying to solve.
Have I understood you correctly, Norman?
