When I originally gave Scrivener a whirl earlier this year I didn’t know how the software worked. But I read several articles and posts about how other writers put this writing tool to use. I took my time working through the provided tutorial after which I began using it with increasing regularity.
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Over the last few months, I’ve begun using Scrivener for almost all of my writing. I’m so impressed with it’s usefulness, I’ve begun writing about this software to share my ideas. I’m getting lots of mileage out of blogging with it and I’ve begun using it for my newsletter and other email templates.
Here are 8 ways Scrivener boosts my efforts as a writer:
1. I’m better organized from the beginning of projects. Because Scrivener is an organizational tool, I’m able to develop structure from the beginning of the project.
2. I can easily make changes to structure. Even though I’m structuring my projects well at the beginning, if I find I need to make structural changes I can do so quickly and easily using the binder.
3. I can turn out short projects at a faster rate. As I’ve written, I’m using this software for blogging, newsletters and email templates.
4. I can use different media to assist my efforts. I can copy pictures, links, video and other forms of media into a project. This is very effective for visualizing aspects of a project like characters or locations. I place these in a sub-folder within the Research folder.
5. Since I’m more organized and faster with short projects I have more time for longer projects. It becomes a real time-saver so from this efficiency I can spend more time on my longer projects which have a higher importance over the long haul.
6. In relation to number 5, I don’t waste time staring at a blank screen since all the preliminaries are out of the way. As a writer, it’s not a good thing to sit staring at you screen. For me, beginning with organizing the project and working with development tasks means my ideas are so developed that I’m more than ready to write the project when the time comes.
7. In relation to number 2, I can edit more effectively which is a plus for a novel. I don’t have the whole manuscript staring at me, just a piece that is manageable. I’ve found that trying to manage a whole manuscript in a single file structure means that I bog down with the entirety of editing. With Scrivener, the book is already segmented and ready for editing.
8. It’s my multi-function tool. As I’ve written in earlier posts, the software is so flexible I can use it for any type of work that I’m doing as a writer. And because it is so powerful a tool I can plan a project like a blog series with growth potential and conversion into a different format as a book – and let’s face it, bloggers like the idea of transforming their blog posts into an e-book.
Bonus Info: Here are links to some helpful templates:
Scrivener template designed for a year of blogs from AllIndieWriters.
Another template for blogging from Thaddeus Hunt.
If you use Scrivener, how has it improved your writing? If you haven’t started using Scrivener, what’s stopping you? What other usages can you share?
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About the Author
P. H. Solomon lives in the greater Birmingham, AL area where he strongly dislikes yard work and sanding the deck rail. However, he performs these duties to maintain a nice home for his loved ones as well as the family’s German Shepherds. In his spare time, P. H. rides herd as a Computer Whisperer on large computers called servers (harmonica not required). Additionally, he enjoys reading, running, most sports and fantasy football. Having a degree in Anthropology, he also has a wide array of more “serious” interests in addition to working regularly to hone his writing. The Bow of Destiny is his first novel-length title with more soon to come.
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55 thoughts on “8 Ways Scrivener Aids My Writing”
I have the trial on my Mac, opened it and then closed it straight away! I’m not very technical but I shall definitely have another look now. Thanks.
Just take time for the tutorial and ease into it. Thx for commenting!
I downloaded the PC trial version and did the same: opened it and closed it again. Yikes.
Love your blog. You are so helpful.
Thx for commenting. I know it can be overwhelming but the tutorial is a very big help. I had to take me time and grow into the usage.
Time is the killer. Always need more time for new lessons, software, everything new. Sigh.
I love it! I watched the videos, read the manual, practised and now have templates set up and have written one book in it and transferred two previous books into it. Best thing ever for my writing.
It is truly incredible software and so flexible too. Thanks for reading and commenting today, Tricia. Please stop by anytime!
What’s up, after reading this awesome piece of writing
i am also cheerful to share my experience here with mates.
Thank you for visiting.
Thanks for linking to my post PHS! I hope it’s of use to your readership. I’ve also written some other posts on different uses for Scrivener (and Scapple). If any of you would like to check them out you can find them here: http://thaddeushunt.com/category/scrivener/ . Hope the new year has been good to all of you!
Thanks for sharing that info. I’ll check them out.
I’m in love with Scrivener’s uses as well. Although I haven’t used it for blogging yet. Will have to try that out 🙂
Loren
I’m posting more about that in a week or so. there are others who have posted similar things but I’ll share what I’m doing. It’s really become a great blogging tool for me.
I just started using Scrivener on January 2nd of this year. So far I have read 3 books, done the tutorial 1 1/2 times, have bounced around the User’s Manual looking for how to do things, and now I am taking the David Lee Martin’s Scrivener Unleashed video course (of which I have finished just over 30%).
I am using Scrivener for writing a non-fiction book about what it was like for me to grow up as a gay youth in the 1970’s. Both me and my wife use it for keeping a daily journal. I am trying to think of ways to use it for my blog (although right now my consists almost entirely of short book reviews) and am always keeping my eyes open for new and creative ways to write, to say nothing of using Scrivener.
Thanks for visiting and commenting today. There are a number of different ways to use Scrivener for blogs. I suggest using a project for the whole year. There are a few templates that can be found on the web. Click the Scrivener tag or category at the end of my blog and you can find a number of posts about different usage as well as managing templates and projects. There are links to some templates in some of my posts as well as links to my own templates.
This sounds like a useful tool, thanks for sharing, reblogging your post.
Thanks for the re-blog and visiting today. It is a very useful writing tool.
Oh, happy to do so!
Reblogged this on kyrosmagica and commented:
Reblog of 8 ways Scrivener helps my writing from P.H. Soloman, Archer’s Aim.
Archer, I love the Scrivener program after discovering it during the 2014 “NoNaWriMo.” I have simply fallen in love with the abilities and applications that it provides.
You mentioned, what I believe is the most important aspect of Scrivener which is the programs ability to allow photos of characters the writer is developing.
The time lines, locations, and what ever research is conducted to further the authors development all condense for viewing is essential.
There is a learning curve, however it is well worth the time for whatever type of creative writing is being conducted.
Great posting Archer.
Thanks for visiting and re-blogging today! Yes, it’s great to have everything in a centralized location to develop and write content of any kind. There is a learning curve but committing to use it helps. Once you start using it for all projects you find out how much you can do.
Reblogged this on An Aspiring Writer and commented:
Most writers would benefit from this program, although the learning curve is tough, however it is well worth the effort, for whatever type of writing or writer.
Reblogged this on An Aspiring Writer and commented:
Most writers would benefit from this program, although the learning curve is tough, however it is well worth the effort, for whatever type of writing or writer.
I may take a look at Scrivener in the future. At the moment, funds are low and every little bit is being saved. After a year, then I can. Anyway, I won’t be anywhere near doing any publishing until late next year.
I’m about to begin writing a phd dissertation and would like to hear from others who have used this software for a large academic project. Thank you!
That is a big project. There are some specialized project templates online if you do a search you may find one that fits your needs.
Reblogged this on J Barron Owens and commented:
PH Soloman is one of my favorite bloggers, and he writes a lot about my favorite writing tool Scrivener. Here is one of them. Enjoy!
Thanks for the reblog and the compliment.
Thanks for linking back to my Scrivener content!
Reblogged this on AngieTrafford and commented:
I love Scrivener!
Took me ages, and I bet there is still plenty to learn.
Thanks for the reblog, Angie. Yes, it can take some time but it is worth it.
Very much so!
Thanks for linking to this post.
Reblogged this on Kim's Author Support Blog.
Thx for the reblog!
My pleasure! 😀
Reblogged this on Anita Dawes & Jaye Marie.
Thanks for the reblog!
You make it sound so easy, I will have to arrange some spare time to learn how to use Scrivenor!
Thanks, Scrivener is my go-to for everything writing these days…
Thanks for the link back to my post!
Reblogged this on Author Don Massenzio and commented:
Check out this great post from The Archer’s Aim blog on the pros of using Scrivener for writing projects.
Thanks for the reblog, Don.
You’re welcome.
Reblogged this on Steve Boseley and commented:
I’m thinking of moving to Scrivener to organise my writing. PH Solomon gives his reasons why this would be a good move…
Thanks for the reblog, Steve.
When I made the move a few years ago, I never looked back.
Good to know. I’ve quietly followed along with your scrivener posts for a while so it seems like a good investment.
I strongly feel like it is.
Thanks for the link back to this post as well, Traci.