Scrivener: More than Word

How many times have you heard about Scrivener and thought

'I'll look into it someday'?

Well, maybe it's just me, but I can't tell you how many times I've thought that. Maybe I just need a little more info, and I have found the definitive source for all things Scrivener ~ Gwen Hernandez, author of Scrivener for Dummies. 




As a writer, you're probably intimately familiar with some sort of word processing software. But, while Microsoft Word and similar programs are great for formatting a finished manuscript or business letter, they may not be the best tools for writing a story.

Enter writing software. Several programs out there are geared specifically for writers, and there's a good reason for it. Traditional word processors force you to write linearly, or cobble together multiple documents if you don't. Good writing software can free you to write in the way that works best for you.

My choice is Scrivener (available for both Mac and Windows). 

Here are just a few reasons why I love it so much.

Each writing project is organized as a collection of documents (e.g. scenes or chapters), all accessible from the same screen, much like being in Finder or Windows Explorer.

You can write a scene--or an outline of a scene--when inspiration strikes, and save it for later. You can easily move scenes around, create scene cards for them (viewable on the “corkboard”), search for terms across all scenes, color code them (by POV, setting, storyline, or whatever), search by keywords, keep project and scene notes, track your word count progress, and so much more.

I don't know how I ever wrote without it!

Within your project you can store web sites, character information, research documents, photos, outlines, synopses, pitch and blurb text, ideas for plot or character changes, and even older versions of scenes.

For those who are easily distracted, Scrivener offers a full screen mode with customizable background. And, in the end, you can export part or all of your project to one of many file types, including e-book (EPUB and MOBI), DOC, PDF, and RTF.

I use Scrivener to write fiction, nonfiction, blog posts, magazine articles, and class lessons. I know people who use it to write screenplays, poetry, legal briefs, academic papers, and genealogy records. You can even use it for recipes.

If you're serious about writing, consider switching to software that works with your writing style, not against it.

  

Got questions? I’ll check in throughout the day to answer them.