The written word is actually one of the worst ways we can communicate because so much of what is said is left up to the reader for interpretation. Writing makes it hard to convey tone of voice, body language, volume, facial expressions, etc. As writers, we have to rely on the reader's ability to know us to properly interpret our intent.
So I do something a little different in my work - I sometimes change up my fonts. Folks have told me for a while not to do that, that it messes up the flow of the work, but I feel it enhances it if used in the proper spots. After all, don't we use italics for emphasis? Don't some writers USE CAPS TO TELL US WHEN THINGS ARE LOUD OR CHARACTERS ARE YELLING? Is there any real difference?
I often use different fonts to convey the mood as well as how someone is saying something. I think it lets the reader know how to better navigate a scene. Of course, this creates other problems, mostly in formatting the book for print and ebook. To start with, it makes the final product much more expensive. Changing up fonts beyond italics and the occasional bold makes the formatter work more, and thus charge more. Additionally, although things usually work out just fine for print work, ebooks are more challenging because not every font I like to use is available in ebooks, so I have to modify and still try to convey the same thing.
I realize this can be frustrating for my formatters, and they've been more than patient with my eclectic tastes. However, I do this because when I'm writing, I imagine reading my work to an audience, so I imagine how something is said. A Bradley Hand ITC font gives a more guttural read than my traditional Arial, just like I think Papyrus creates an air of regality. Still, I wonder if readers really care.
So what do you think? If you've read my work, or any other book that has a few different fonts, do they change the reading experience? Do they distract or enhance? How much is too much?
So I do something a little different in my work - I sometimes change up my fonts. Folks have told me for a while not to do that, that it messes up the flow of the work, but I feel it enhances it if used in the proper spots. After all, don't we use italics for emphasis? Don't some writers USE CAPS TO TELL US WHEN THINGS ARE LOUD OR CHARACTERS ARE YELLING? Is there any real difference?
I often use different fonts to convey the mood as well as how someone is saying something. I think it lets the reader know how to better navigate a scene. Of course, this creates other problems, mostly in formatting the book for print and ebook. To start with, it makes the final product much more expensive. Changing up fonts beyond italics and the occasional bold makes the formatter work more, and thus charge more. Additionally, although things usually work out just fine for print work, ebooks are more challenging because not every font I like to use is available in ebooks, so I have to modify and still try to convey the same thing.
I realize this can be frustrating for my formatters, and they've been more than patient with my eclectic tastes. However, I do this because when I'm writing, I imagine reading my work to an audience, so I imagine how something is said. A Bradley Hand ITC font gives a more guttural read than my traditional Arial, just like I think Papyrus creates an air of regality. Still, I wonder if readers really care.
So what do you think? If you've read my work, or any other book that has a few different fonts, do they change the reading experience? Do they distract or enhance? How much is too much?
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