Get together with any group of writers, whether itβs through an online chat forum or in person, and the subject of Scrivener is bound to come up. And while Iβm sure Scrivener has its fair share of detractors, one thing is irrefutable: those who love it really love it.
For those of you who may not be familiar, Scrivener is a word processor/project management software program designed for writers of all kindsβnovelists, journalists, academics, screenwriters, playwrightsβwho (and this is according to the Scrivener tutorial) βneed to structure a long piece of text while referring to research documentsβ¦a ring-binder, a scrapbook, a corkboard, an outliner and text editor all rolled into one.β
If you think that sounds like a lot of features, youβd be right. In fact, there are so many options and features in Scrivener that it can all be rather overwhelming.
Now to be fair, Scrivener does come with a lengthy tutorial, a 540-page user manual and some YouTube video tutorials. But when I dabbled with it on my own, I just didnβt feel the love. What were all these writers going on about? Iβve written literally hundreds of magazine feature articles just using Word. Iβd also just finished writing, revising (and revising and revising) THE HANGED MANβS NOOSE, using nothing more than Word. Sure I had a few Folders with research housed within a larger folder, (cleverly titled RESEARCH) but basically my process was this: Sit down. Write. Research. Write some more.
But I kept hearing about the wonders of Scrivener from my writing peers at Sisters in Crime-Guppies. Comments like these:
βMy favorite feature is using the split-screen mode to write on top and see my outline below–either my more detailed chapter outline notes or my brief index card notes. Β Since I think of myself as an outliner but never stick to my outline once I get writing, this feature is the perfect combination for me! It allows me to jump back and forth between plotting and writing, and all the while my folders and research notes are on the left-hand side of the screen for easy maneuvering between any file I want.β Gigi Pandian.
βI love the flexibility that allows me to put all my research in one place; establish links to sites with info I need; write in scenes and move them around at will, mark scenes with POV, or other issues; and compile to many different formats.β Patricia Winton.
βThe ability to move scenes around by dragging and dropping their index cards. No matter how much planning I do, it seems as if I always wind up moving scenes after the first draft is done. Cutting and pasting in Word led to multiple occurrences of getting too much or too little text or losing it all together due to user error.β Elise M. Stone.
“It addresses my post-it note way of jigsawing a story together. Normally, I put ideas, phrases, slices of dialogue and sometimes even wholeΒ scenes on scraps of paper, in Word files, One Note files, notebooks, creative journalsβ¦ and yes even on color-coded sticky notes, which get stuck on flat surfaces all over my house.” Jo-anne Carson.
“After fighting with Word and yWriter, I love Scrivener. I have a default format set up complete with character sketches, floor plans, pictures and everything else I need all in one place. Saves a lot of time and repetition.Β And I use the corkboard for plotting.β Tiger Wiseman.
βAs a series authors the thing I most love is the ability to important my previous manuscript into my work-in-progress and therefore to have all my character and settings files right there to check things as I’m working.β Barbara Ross
Who was I to argue in the face of such enthusiasm? Many Guppies also told me about Scrivener guru Gwen Hernandez, author of Scrivener for Dummies, and her wonderful online course (she also offers private lessons and workshops). So in early September, when Gwen offered a four-week online class of 20 lessons with the sole intent of helping the uninitiated to descramble Scrivener, I decided to sign up.
What did I learn? And did I become a Scrivener convert? Youβll have to wait for Descrambling Scrivener: Part II.
*Full disclosure: this post originally appeared on my blog in October 2013 — but hey, I didn’t really have any followers then!
I started using Scrivener to organize and write the sequel to Almost Human, and while still a beginner, I’ve grown to love the convenience of being able to reorginize my scenes and chapters by simply dragging and dropping. I am not sure how it will be when I have to compile it as a print ready manuscript. I guess more will be revealed!
Hi Kenneth, thanks for taking the time to comment. Good for you, figuring out Scrivener! Curious — Do you plot or pantser your way through your books?
What a coincidence, Judy. I just downloaded Scrivener today and am girding my loins to learn how to use it. I am writing a heavily researched book and I need a way to organize what I find in a way that I can find it again! You have given me hope.
Hi Noelle, you might look into Gwen Hernandez. Good luck on your book!
I’m a Word user from way back, but I now also use Scrivener for my novels. I started by 1st viewing some YouTube videos, including by Scrivener, and just jumping in. That meant I didn’t use a lot of the special features, but I’m catching up on those now. As you indicated, the research function is very helpful.
Interesting Pam, I didn’t know Judge Lu used Scrivener!
Like everybody else, I worked in Word for years, but can’t imagine not partnering with Scrivener. I am a convert… Got Scrivener for Dummies and took Gwen Hernandez class in 2014… One of the features I love the most is being able to find, add to or edit, any specific chapter or scene instantly, in the long novel I’m working on. Plus of course all the super helpful features you already mentioned and will explore in your Scrivener II blog…and don’t forget that Scrivener saves your work every few seconds as talk to your muse.
Maryvonne, those who love it, really love it. Those who hate it really hate it. It’s quite polarizing! Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment.
Well, I’ll certainly be tuning in for the next or rest of your installments. I recently bought Scrivener, mainly because I read it has the ability to format ebooks for Kindle and also Creatspace. I have a long-time friend who is seeking my help in getting his book ready to self-publish. (I’m traditionally published and have no experience with self-publishing).As per my personality, I volunteered. How do you turn down a friend of over 50 years?
I eagerly began the “short” version of the tutorial, and was immediately lost. I was so disappointed I haven’t touched the thing is a week. So, I’m looking forward to see if you can help this “old dog” learn a new trick! π
–Michael
Michael, check out vellum.pub — comes highly recommended by Micki Rivers, who self-published her most recent book. Very reasonable rates.
Only one more part and it will run March 22nd.Thanks for checking in.
I’m very curious. I’ve been tempted to try it, but it’s big learning curve and I fear it’ll be one of those things I buy and never use. I don’t have time for a 540 page tutorial!! Looking forward to Part 2. π
Part 2 next Thursday. I think, though, Ellen, you come from a screenwriting background and clearly from how great your books are, you have a process that works for you. My advice is, don’t mess with a good thing.
Downloaded scrivener a year ago. Haven’t used it. Tried y-writer, and all those extra files baffled me. Looking forward to the next post.
I hear you Mary, though devotees LOVE it!
DITTO to Grace and Vicki’s comments. I have been trying to Descramble Scrivener for years. I thought I understood it when I was asked to edit an e-book entitled SuperPowers of Scrivener. Still don’t know how to use it! Help us out, writer friend!
Beth
SuperPowers of Scrivener. Wow. Hard to compete with that!
I’m with Grace! Eager for the bottom line . . .
Stay tuned! Have you ever used it or thought of using it Vicki?
Thanks, Judy, for addressing this. However, having to wait for more is like getting to pivotal point in Midsomer Murders only to have βTo be continued. β flash on the TV screen. I canβt wait to read more!
Ahh…well that will be posted March 22nd.