Scrivener Plus Points
Using Scrivener: Three plus points
Whenever I’m asked to comment on anything – be it a piece of writing, the weather, whatever – I always try to come up with plus points first, preferably three of them. It’s an attitude of mind. My glass is always at least half full!
Using Scrivener, there are so many plus points, the difficulty is in choosing just three!
#1: Everything is in one place.
I love NANO. It’s a not-to-be-missed annual online event. I’ve now spent five Novembers writing 1666+ words a day, and have five draft novels to show for my efforts. Each time, I’ve used Word – and, for each novel, I have many files: versions of the manuscript, notes – endless notes! I’m still in the editing phase for every single one of them and I feel like I am wading through treacle, drowning in my own words!
Using Scrivener, I am sure my next novel will be a joy to write.
I’ve promised myself there will be just one project file within which everything will be stored:
- The manuscript itself, conveniently separated into scenes, bundled into chapters
- My character sketches, complete with images of actors I’ve chosen to play the part – when my novel’s a best seller and heading for the big screen!
- My locations, complete with maps and photos
- All my research notes as links to web pages: on hanging, on magic mushrooms, on historical facts like when the first safari park opened
And, the bonus? The editing stage should be relatively painless! I might even manage to publish it before NANO comes round again …
Tomorrow, I’ll reveal my #2 Plus Point.
Meanwhile, if you have yet to download Scrivener … here’s the link for the Mac platform again.
And for Windows: 
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rainbowmaker
13 September 2015 at 19:20I’ve done NANO five times and I guess I ought to warn folk that it can become addictive.
I’ve had a couple of years off – due to moving house etc – but very much looking forward to giving myself space to write for a whole month.
It’s a challenge just to write every day, and once you start – with support from other NaNoWriMos all around you – the important thing is not to stop.
The elation after 30 days – difficult to describe!!!
Patsy
13 September 2015 at 12:33I’ve done NaNo several times in the past and found it an ‘interesting’ experience!
Long term it’s not for everyone, but I do think doing it at least once could be valuable for anyone who struggles to get the words down either because of self doubt or a tendency to procrastinate.