How to Add Tags to Your Manuscript in Made Live

Overview: Tags in Made Live help you add essential context and clarity to your manuscript without impacting the overall word count. Whether you’re managing dialogue, guiding illustrations, or adding personal notes, Tags are a valuable tool in the self-publishing process. In this article, we’ll break down the three types of tags you can use—Character Tags, Imagery Tags, and Comment Tags—and how to apply them to your manuscript.

Types of Tags

1. Character Tags:

When writing dialogue, it’s easy to fall into the habit of repeating phrases like “he said” or “she replied.” Character Tags let you assign dialogue to specific characters without having to explicitly mention their name in every sentence. This can make your writing flow more naturally and feel less repetitive. These tags are not included in the manuscript’s total word count.

• Example: If Sarah is speaking, instead of writing “Sarah said,” you can use a Character Tag to indicate she is the one talking. The tag won’t appear in the final manuscript but will help guide your narrative process.

How to Add Character Tags:

1. Highlight the dialogue you want to tag.
2. Select the “Tag” option from the editor toolbar.
3. Choose “Character Tag” and type the character’s name in the space provided.

2. Imagery Tags:

When working with illustrators, it’s crucial to communicate the visual elements of your story. Imagery Tags allow you to add scene descriptions, character appearances, or other visual details without embedding them in the text. These descriptions are visible to you and your illustrator but do not appear in the manuscript or count towards your word limit.

• Example: You can describe a forest scene with “tall, dark trees and a misty atmosphere” to guide the illustrator’s work, while keeping the manuscript text clean.

How to Add Imagery Tags:

1. Select the section of text or scene you want to elaborate on.
2. Click the “Tag” icon in the editor.
3. Choose “Imagery” and add your description. These details will be saved for reference but won’t appear in your final manuscript.

3. Comment Tags:

Sometimes, you may want to leave personal notes or additional context for future reference, without including them in the manuscript. Comment Tags are perfect for this. They allow you to record ideas, reminders, or any additional information without affecting your word count or the manuscript’s final appearance.

• Example: You might add a note to yourself about adjusting a character’s tone in a later draft or keep track of alternative plot points.

How to Add Comment Tags:

1. Highlight the relevant text.
2. Open the “Tag” menu and select “Comment.”
3. Type in your notes, and they will be saved in the document for easy reference.

Why Use Tags?

• Clarity Without Clutter: Tags let you add valuable details without cluttering your manuscript’s text.
• Efficient Collaboration: Imagery Tags make it easier to collaborate with illustrators by keeping visual descriptions organized.
• Better Dialogue Management: Character Tags reduce dialogue redundancy and improve readability.
• Track Your Thoughts: Comment Tags are a simple way to capture thoughts, reminders, or alternate ideas.

Remember, Tags in Made Live are flexible and designed to keep your creative process smooth. They won’t appear in your final manuscript and won’t affect your word count, but they add a layer of depth to your work. Whether you’re writing dialogue-heavy scenes, describing visuals for your illustrator, or leaving yourself notes for later, Tags will help you streamline your writing process.