Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Trying Something New: Scrivener (plus coupon!)

This has been shared around lately: http://www.retailmenot.com/view/literatureandlatte.com

It's a coupon code for Scrivener, which Cassie Clare used for her Mortal Instruments series, and which countless other authors have also used to help them organize complex novels.

I've wanted to learn this writing software for some time, but I've been intimidated by two things:

1) The financial investment in my writing which it represents, and
2) The complexity of the software itself.

But two tweeters (a couple of my favorite writer peeps) encouraged me to try it out. Because of the coupon linked above and my admiration for these tweeters (@wes_chu and @authoressanon), I bit the bullet and bought Scrivener.

Yesterday was crazy with kid-watching, menu-planning, and food-purchasing, so today will be my first chance to experiment with Scrivener. I'm told that watching the tutorial is as much fun as raking leaves (Wes Chu's words), and that it can be frustrating at first, but I shouldn't give up (Authoress). Both of them swear by this program today.

So I'm looking forward to the time AFTER the tutorial when I can implement the tools Scrivener provides with ease and grace... you know, after all the leaves are raked.

Have you used writing software? Which software? 

I also recommend WriteOrDie, especially if you have writer's block. It's $10 for a full license, and is especially useful for cutting out distractions like this blog. :)


Katrina's blog pic

4 comments:

  1. First of all the Video tutorials are merely supplemental. You need to go through the tutorial project which can be accessed from Getting Started in the New Project window.

    However your friends are right about the tutorial being mind-numbing. It most definitely is. But it is worth it. Trust me on the part about it being worth it, 'cause it is.

    Second, If you are interested in interacting with other Scrivener users, there is a public community for Scrivener Users on Google+. We have over 180 members. Since this is a public community you can read the community page before you decide whether or not you want to participate or not.

    https://plus.google.com/communities/109597039874015233580

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    1. Thanks for the correction. I hadn't had a chance to look at the tutorial before writing this, but now I'm halfway through it. It's not as dull as raking leaves. Rather witty, actually. :) And I'm excited about the features. Thanks so much for the Google+ link! Once I have the basics down I'll look forward to seeing how others have adapted Scrivener to suit their writing. I notice it's quite customizable. Thank you!

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  2. I have heard a lot about this, too, but haven't gotten to the point where I'm willing to sacrifice my time to learn yet another something new! :) Maybe this summer? Thanks for sharing, I'd love to her how you feel about it after using it for a while!

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    1. Oh I will definitely be posting about it once I've got this tool solidly in my toolbox. This is a year of tremendously rapid learning for me, as far as writing is concerned. I'm enjoying it, but honestly a tiny bit overwhelmed at moments. Good friends and sharing make it more fun!

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