Over the years, I’ve used several pieces of software for writing, including: Word, Open Office, Google Docs, TextEdit, FileMaker (yes, a database to actually write the book in data fields), Stickies, Notes, and, once upon a special character, WordPerfect. I’ve used many desktop computers, many laptop computers, and even an iPod touch to outline and compose. But two months ago, I started using Scrivener (Mac OSX 10.4 and above required) and it has rocked my little writing world to the tune of about 30,000 words since then. I’ve recommended it to everybody I know, all five of them, and now it’s time to recommend it at large. I like to think of it as the Swiss Army Knife of writing tools.
All in One
The first and most fabulous feature of Scrivener is that it puts my research, notes, outline, and writing all together in one screen. Looking back on it, I think this is one of the reasons that I used to use Filemaker as a writing environment. As you can see in the screen shot below, of my latest tattoo symbol article, I’ve got my research listed on the left, my notes and outline on the right, the article on the top, and the current piece of research that I’m using at the bottom. Sorry the type is so wee, but I wanted you to see the whole thing.
Scrivener Screen Shot
This arrangement isn’t just eye-pleasing. Like any good multi-tool, it’s time saving. The biggest improvement in performance that I have seen in my writing (out of the many I’d like to see) is my efficiency. I work primarily on a 15-inch laptop so real estate is at a premium. I am sick of opening and closing windows, juggling five applications, and hitting various function keys to see everything that’s currently running. Sick of it, I tell you. My favorite thing about Scrivener is how it has eliminated the need for much of that and how much faster I can work as a result.
Compact
When I say that Scrivener brings all of my writing materials into one location, I mean one file. One. Whether I’ve imported text files, PDFs, TIFFs, or what have you, they all end up in my one .scriv file. Now, if you decide you want to take a geeky look inside that file by ‘showing the package contents’, you’ll see all those individual files are still there as separate entities. But if you don’t have a clue what that last sentence means, then skip it and be happy. Everything that you have imported into Scrivener, or created in Scrivener, is in one file and you can take it anywhere you go.
Lightweight
Despite stuffing my Scrivener file with all manner of research, notes, outlines, versions, descriptions, and actual writing, it boots like a dream. Unlike another prevalent piece of writing software, who shall remain anonymous but whose initials are Microsoft Office, have your coffee ready when you sit down to write with Scrivener. Even files with 60,000 words seem to pop.
Portable
Let’s say you want to share your lofty thoughts with a friend but they don’t own Scrivener. Scrivener seems to understand that it doesn’t exist in a Scrivener-only universe. Among its export choices are RTF, RTFD, DOC, DOCX, ODT, FDX (I have never used Final Draft, or any other screen writing software, but Scrivener has many features that seem to have to do with this type of work), FCF, TEXT, and HTML. If you decide to ‘compile’ your manuscript and have Scrivener do some fancy formatting for you, you get even more options.
Built-in Magnifying Lens
I would never buy a Swiss Army Knife without the magnifying lens. It’s one of my favorite parts. The same is true with Scrivener! Check out how Scrivener helps to save my eyesight, day in, day out.
Scrivener Enlarged Print
And yes, I like the little scissors tool alot too but I couldn’t think of anything clever to say about Scrivener that really worked for those.
But Wait, There’s More
Although a Swiss Army Knife doesn’t have a built-in camera – yet – Scrivener does. But don’t think of it as a camera, think of it as a super cheap backup system. You can take a “Snapshot” of your work in progress and go back to it at any time. It’s just a pull-down menu away, built right into the software. You’ve got to do it yourself because it can’t be made to happen automatically (there are autosaves as you work though), but I did say it was a super cheap backup system. I take snapshots before major edits.
Saves Money
But don’t take my word for it. Go get your 30-day free trial. That’s what I did.
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