If you are like me, you probably started your writing career with your book scattered across countless Word documents, google docs, notebooks, and perhaps even sticky notes littered across your walls. There’s nothing wrong with that! (Remember: the best method to write your novel, academic works, etc. is whatever platform works best for you!)
But, if you are new to writing or simply are looking to perhaps elevate your platform or find a platform that grants you a plethora of capabilities all in one spot, allow me to turn you onto Scrivener.
Scrivener is the writing software I presently use and have for over five years now – I will never go back to anything else!
What is Scrivener?
Scrivener is a writing software tailored for authors. You can create outlines, write novels, non-fiction books, screenplays, academic papers, research, edit, and format them all in one place!
Similar programs include LibreOffice, FocusWriter, and yWriter. I have experimented with all of these, but Scrivener remains my go-to.
What I Like About Scrivener:
Scrivener has some pretty cool features built in.
It also allows you set project goals, see project statistics, including how long it would take the average reader to read your project, and view your writing history.
One of my favorite features is the ability to conduct research and creates notes on it within the software. Highlight a term in your writing and click on “writing tools.” Scrivener will allow you to research the Google definition of that term or do further research on the term on Wikipedia and Google. Have part of a quote you want to integrate into your writing? Highlight it in your project, use the “writing tools” again and you can look it up on BrainyQuotes to help look for the full quote!
Along this line, I adore that there are built in templates for character and setting development and built in places in the app for notecards and inspiration. You can even bring in outside images, PDF’s, etc. to split-screen use as reference as you write! This is especially helpful if you are getting old like me (is your late 20s the new over the hill?) and can’t always remember your plans and outlines off the top of your head as easily as you used to.
Above: Sample built in templates
What I like best about scrivener is the ability to write, edit, and format my novel in one central location. It is completely customizable so that I can divide my novel to fit my vision for it. The revision formatting allows me to color code my revision process while maintaining the ability to consult my in-app notes, research, inspiration, and outlines. When I am satisfied with the finish product (unless you are an anxious perfectionist with me and rarely satisfied with your own work) you can format it to fit your needs, whether that is a manuscript, proof copy, print book, ebook, script or screen-write.
Finally, Scrivener allows you to upload your work to cloud services so you can easily sync between devices.
The Downsides:
Like anything in this world, Scrivener isn’t without its flaws. The apps dictionary is at times limited and I find is more in-line with British English (though perhaps I am wrong with this). However, you can build your own dictionary like any other writing program.
There is also a bit of a learning curve with learning how to set up your projects so that when it comes time to compile it, the format comes out correctly. There are plenty of Youtube videos, reddit threads, and information from Scrivener’s website to walk you through this though!
I find the most frustrating aspect to be the difficulty in copying from other documents into Scrivener. For example, sometimes when I am on the go, I will fire up my phone’s Googledocs and jot down a few lines of dialogue, ideas, whatever it may be. To get it into Scrivener, I need to copy it from Googledocs into Word and then into Scrivener and even then I have to tweak the formatting a bit.
Finally, while, helpfully, you can have Scrivener on multiple devices and sync work between these devices (for example, I have it on both my laptop and tablet) you do need to pay for the software per device.
Where to Get it:
Want to start using Scrivener? Use this link to get a free trial or to download the software: https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener-affiliate.html?fpr=catscoffeeconlaw_scrivener
The nice thing about Scrivener, is you only pay once! Unless there is some huge update to it that necessitates a fundamentally altered software (I have never had this happen to date) you can use it on your device for as long as you want with no additionally payment.
The price of the software is presently $59.99 and there is a 30-day free trial so that you can try it out before committing!
If you think there are other writing software/apps you like that you think I should try, drop a comment!
As always, happy writing!
