Scrivener (software) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I read an article about SCRIVENER a few years ago. Thought it sounded interesting only to find it was for MAC users only. š¦
Then, when I heard it was available for Windows, I decided to give it a go, downloaded the demo and did precisely nothing with it. I didn’t have time to read through the tutorial and it seemed too complicated for my little brain.
Then I started blogging.
For me, the best part of blogging is reading other people’s blogs. You get the end-user’s perspective on whatever you’re interested in. A few months ago I stumbled across a post about SCRIVENERĀ and decided to look again at this intriguing programme.
So I downloaded it. Again.
If you’re not familiar with SCRIVENERĀ Ā then you get a free trial where you can use it for 30 days use. This is billed as the ultimate writer friendly programme. I think it might be.
I read the tutorial over a few weeks and waited until IĀ finished the 2nd draft of my WIP. What better time to tinker with it and see what it does and how it can help me as a writer.
I spent about an hour and a half transferring my draft from WORD into theĀ SCRIVENER project. With all 34 Chapters and 86 scenes copied over, I started to type up my character profiles, which will take longer as they are on index cards.
About half-way through the trial, I paid for the full version. It was only Ā£30 and already it is worth it. My novel is from multiple POV and now I can view all the scenes from one character at a few clicks. This makes it a lot easier to do my next round of editing. Everything I need is in one place. I will do some more posts as I get to grips with things.
If you’re thinking of using SCRIVENER I suggest you download it and give it a go. If you do, let me know what you think.
I started my Camp NaNo experience today and I’m using SCRIVENER. Big test.
Happy writing!
Pete Denton 
It sounds like just the thing for me! Like you i’ve been battling with multiple POV’s and getting my self into a terrible mess. I shall be downloading it tonight! Thanks for the tip!
The URL is http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.php I meant to add that to the post. I do like the fact that you can bring all the POV into one section with a few clicks and edit as though it was one section. When you’re finished it neatly folds back into your chapters as though by magic.
Hi Pete. Like you, I transferred some existing copy, my first novel, to Scrivener for editing and found it easy to grasp, and very useful. Am now writing book 2 straight into it. It’s easy to navigate around your work and you can keep everything – character bios, planning documents, links, images – together for easy access.
My message to anyone wondering if it’s for them: give it a go! I recommend David Hewson’s e-book ‘Writing a Novel with Scrivener’ too.
Thanks, Janet.
I am liking it so far. My NaNo book is all one person POV so I won’t benefit from that this time, but I do like having everything in one place. No downsides as yet.
I bought Scrivener after my last NaNo win with my 50% off code. It was definitely worth it, I only use Word for formatting now (still haven’t managed to get it to work properly using Scrivener). Scrivener definitely helps me to organize my scatterbrained attempts at character profiles and plot outlines.
Thanks, Mutantbee. I do like your username š
I’m a planner so the cork board offers me a great deal towards the planning. I should have waited until after (hopefully) finishing NaNo, but wouldn’t have had enough days left on the trial. Still it was relatively cheap so not too bad.
first I heard of it, thanks….
I definitely recommend having a look. Might not be for everyone, but a free trial might be enough to convince you. And, I’m not on commission š
thanks pete
I love Scrivener. I was introduced to it through NaNo, and after I downloaded the free Windows beta version the first time, I was hooked. I use it for everything now (save that final draft when I need to get the formatting right, then I force myself to go back to Word after exporting it!), from essays to books to (currently) my thesis! It’s totally worth every penny I spent on it; glad to see you’ve found the wonder too! š
NaNo keeps on giving doesn’t it?
When you consider how cheap it is in the grand scheme of things it is a great tool for writers of anything.
I have said it often, Scrivener to me is like cocaine. I can’t get enough of it. I love fiddling with it and playing around with the features. I love the cork board and the planning. Layering scenes over each other and quick reference. Oh Joy!
Thanks, Kate. It is working for me so far. I read the tutorial and keep finding little features that make life so much easier. Where has it been all my life? š
The mixed reviews on Scrivener has me nervous. I was gung-ho, but now feel cautious. How does it work exactly?
I’m going to post more in the coming weeks, but basically everything can be together in one file with different layers for your work.
You can click between an overview of the scene/chapter on a cork-board style and the actual scene. It’s easy to switch things around by dragging scenes around. My WIP is from multiple POV. You can click to view all scenes from one POV. Make drafting a lot easier and more sense. Click when you’re finished and everything is back in place.
It even allows you to see how many times you’ve used words. Yes. SEEK AND DESTROY is made easier š
I’d recommend the free trial and take an couple of hours to read through the tutorial. It is more writer-friendly than Word for most things. A couple of bits I would like changing but overall I’m one happy camper.
Whoosh – there it went again over my head…I feel a Showroom lesson coming on
Hahaha I will explain at the next get together. I might know what I’m doing by then š
Happy Scrivener-NaNo’ing! Sounds like gobbledygook but makes perfect sense…right?
Thanks, Vanessa. It does sound made-up doesn’t it? Hitting the 4k tonight so solid start.
Pingback: Arrived at the camp site « Pete Denton – Writer
I am going it a go now, and having fun looking around. The trial is a great idea.
Let me know if you have any tips.
Happy writing š
Pingback: Thinking of using Scrivener? | Everything Scrivener
I love Scrivener. I started using the PC version back when it was in beta and I haven’t looked back. It still use word to format as it’s easier but Scrivener lets you do so many things that Word just doesn’t.
2 enthusiastic thumbs up from me!!
Thanks, Julianne. A number of people now have mentioned about formatting in Word. I can see why people say that. Still a resounding thumbs up from everyone š
Pingback: #OBSummer #books Sarena Straus and #Kinde Fire | alchemyofscrawl
I look forward to hearing what you have to say about Scrivener. I downloaded the free version for Windows and watched the tutorial over a month ago and haven’t done anything with it. I really need to use it.
I decided to dive straight in and use it for NaNo. So far I’m finding it very easy to use for some things and it’s just a case of finding out the other bits and pieces as I go along. I hope to post some updates before the end of the month.
Oh, this is wonderful to read as I endure my own travails with Scrappy Scrivener. I love reading the positive comments and only encourages me to trudge onward!
The same applied to me. So many people agreed this was a great programme and it made me investigate more. I am liking it so far and it’s a lot easier for most things than Word.
Pingback: Scrivener « rfdiaz
Pingback: THE NAMING OF THINGS. « tryingtowriteit
Pingback: Free tech tools to help you edit and proofread | Chazz Writes
Great post, I have it on trial and would pay for it when the trial ends. I’ve had loads of positive reviews about it, I’m sure it would be useful! Thanks for following my blog, yours is awesome!
Peace and love:)
Thanks š
The more I use Scrivener the more I like it. Happy writing!
I downloaded the free version.
but don’t want to waste the days til I get concentrate on it.
I’ve heard wonderful things about tho.
I’ve now used it to write a new book from scratch and like it so much I copied my other WIP over before I did the 3rd draft. No going back for me now.
I hope you like it and find it useful. Though with the free trial you have nothing to lose. š
Pingback: While I have been away… | readful things blog