So recently, I gave in to the hype and downloaded a trial of Scrivener. I’d heard such wonderful things about this program, I had to see for myself just how much it could help my writing.
I discovered after numerous WIP’s went completely off track while I pantsted through them, that it wasn't working for me. My writing time is seriously limited, and meandering along waiting to see what happened next was clearly not a good use of my time. So I took a plotting workshop given by a writer friend and loved it. I had a starting point. But then, I wanted even more.
I watched a few tutorials for Scrivener and I played around in it (mostly in the corkboard feature, which is SO cool in itself) but I didn’t really understand it. A friend recommended an online class that she’d taken, and I rushed to sign up for it.
O.M.G.
I am in love.
I might have cackled and started plotting my world domination (in Scrivener of course!) that very second.
I tend to think of new ideas in scenes, rather than in a linear fashion, and this is exactly what I needed to get all my jumbled thoughts organized in a way that I could use. I jot down every idea and thing that I want to happen, then I can rearrange it into a logical order.
I can pre-plan chapters and scenes and move things around with the ease of a magician! I can import pictures of my characters and websites for research, print the outline, and click auto-synopsis and it creates one for me! (Cue angels singing)
I love Scrivener so much, that I can’t see ever writing another book without it. No really. That. Much.
I am now a plotster and proud of it! I can’t be alone out here. Do you love Scrivener too? Have you ever wanted to try it but just aren’t sure?
This is the online class I'm taking. Just click Scrivener Class for more info! http://www.gwenhernandez.com/
This is the online class I'm taking. Just click Scrivener Class for more info! http://www.gwenhernandez.com/
which online scrivener class did you take?
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to trying it out. Can you share the info for that class you took?
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm obsessed with Scrivener. I could never draft without it. It lets me plot without really plotting. :)
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love Scrivener. Even though I've been using it for almost two years, I'm still figuring out all of the bells and whistles. I'd love the info on the class you took as well.
ReplyDeleteI'm loving Scrivener, too. The video tutorials were key for me! Otherwise I'd still be floundering. I love how you can post images right along with your character sketches.
ReplyDeleteI'm all about Scrivener too! I love the organizational aspects (especially the meta-data which I use to keep track of POV for each scene) but also really love how I can set targets and fill the whole monitor with only the writing screen (and a background that fits the mood of the scene Im writing of course). Seeing my progress in a visual way and accomplishing mini-goals really keeps me motivated.
ReplyDeletei just did the tutorial it came with, and i'm only just starting out being a plotser. i know there will always be a significant amount of pantsing in my method, but finally, a plot! It's aliiiiive!
ReplyDeleteOkay, I absolutely must try this out. :D I've heard of it before, but you've really grabbed my interest. Thanks for the great article. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm a plotter and I love Scrivener too! I can't imagine writing without it now. :)
ReplyDeleteYou know I've never heard of this. I'll have to check it out. I too think of new ideas in the form of jumbled scenes in my head with no idea when in the story they will pop but just that they will...
ReplyDeleteI wasn't really a plotser either until I got Scrivener. I still don't plot out every novel in full detail, but I at least plot out the next few chapters so I know where I'm headed.
ReplyDeleteThanks for such a great post! Definitely excited to learn more about Scrivener. I'm kind of a vague plotser, so hopefully a program like this will help keep me focused and maximize my writing time.
ReplyDeleteI'm using Scrivener but haven't found the magic yet. I think I need this class!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it great! I discovered it pre NaNo last year. It was exactly what I'd been looking for. Scrivener and Evernote-another great tool- have really advanced my writing.
ReplyDeleteI'm a total pantster, but need to be more of a plotter. I've pantsted my way through too many books only to get to the end and discover the book has no tension, conflict, or is missing some critical aspect, which had I plotted in advance, I'd have known that early on. I am going to check out Scrivener and this class. Thanks !
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting this ever since Nanowrimo2010, but it was only for mac. Finally a Windows version is out and... I still don't have it! It sounds wonderful, I will have to spend some time checking it out again.
ReplyDeleteI found out about it during my first Nano this past November. I was nearly coming unglued when they hadn't given out the coupon codes for the 50% off. LOL I don't even use Microsoft Word anymore. As a matter of fact, it's the spawn of Satan as far as I'm concerned and Scrivener is the Messiah coming to save us all from our Microsoft sins!! LOL
ReplyDeleteI just won Scrivener. You guys have me so excited about it. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks for passing on such a valuable tip!
ReplyDeleteI adore Scrivener, but I've been using it to organize and rewrite things I've already written. It's a fabulous program!
ReplyDeleteI like Scrivener, if only for the fact that I can move the notecards around without cutting and pasting everything every time I want to move a scene around. This is so perfect for graphic novel writing. Auto synposis!? Say what!? I need to find that feature now!
ReplyDeleteWhat online class did you take? Right now, Scrivener and me are not playing nice...
ReplyDeleteMad love for Scrivener here, too. I also used it to plan my blog tour last month, and it kept me organized and sane. Brilliant, brilliant program.
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