When working with fiction, style sheets are used to ensure consistency throughout the manuscript.

If there is any ambiguity about spelling, punctuation or character details, an author can answer any queries from an editor or proofreader and, once a decision has been made, it can be added to the style sheet to ensure consistency. In fiction, this applies mainly to full-length novels or series.

For instance, if there are several ways to spell a given name or a fictional language is being used, a style sheet can ensure that the names or terms are spelt the same way throughout the manuscript.

It also helps to keep track of plot details such as characters’ ages and their backstories.

The same is true of certain elements of punctuation, such as the spacing of ellipses.

All this is to avoid distracting the reader from their immersion in the story.

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