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This series of posts is all about using Scrivener to overcome editing overwhelm (OEO), but also to overcome any kind of overwhelm that arises during the process of turning a blank page into a published book.

This time of year is always challenging:

• NaNoWriMo ends today and then there’s an anti-climactic feel. Writing done. When does the editing commence? Not yet!
• For those in the US and elsewhere, Thursday was Thanksgiving day but many are spending this weekend with family and friends.
• For us in UK, we’re gearing up for the run up to Christmas. We start opening our Advent calenders tomorrow.

So, how best to avoid overwhelm? Take a break? Or, as Mrs Clipboard suggests, a change is as good as a rest.

• Whatever writing you did in November, put that manuscript to one side. Don’t think about looking at it again before February. Yes, February.
• December is full of distractions. Mostly fun distractions. Meeting family and friends. Shopping for gifts. Decorating the house. Accept this and find ways of ‘working’ in the gaps.
• Dig deep daily for a small ‘gem’. The answer to a question. A fresh view of something that’s been puzzling you. A new idea.

Scrivener gems

Between now and Christmas, I’m posting 24 Scrivener gems: a daily gift for you.

• Nothing major. Something you can read through in a few minutes.
• Some things you could make a note to action, but not until the new year.

While we are in the spirit of giving, if someone asks you what they should give you this Christmas (or maybe, like me, you have a birthday looming), rather than ponder for half an hour, be bold. Ask for a gift card towards your writing expenses for 2025.

And, if you have a friend who is a writer, why not gift one to them?

And, if you’re feeling ever so generous, you could buy me a cup of coffee! (For those of you who have tried before, the link now works!)

You want a Scrivener gem now?

Okay. Here goes.

I’ve been blogging about Scrivener since September 2015. Every time I blog, I add entries to my Index of Scrivener Posts.

The entries are listed alphabetically and then the posts within each entry are in date order. I’d recommend, having searched down for the topic you need, look at the most recent post first. If earlier ones give more detail, I’ll have referred back to them …

Enjoy browsing my index and discovering more about Scrivener!

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