It’s no secret that I am a big fan of tools that save time and effort.
When it comes to writing, there are only a few tools I use.
For my blog, I do most of my post writing in WordPress.
When it comes to longer projects, I use Scrivener for Mac.
Scrivener is my top pick when it comes to writing and creative work.
My Writing Adventures
I have spent a lot of my free time over the past few years writing and I participated in two NaNoWriMo contests. In fact, NaNoWriMo 2008 is what led to the creation of this website. I wrote over 200 pages on time management for that event. What started as a book, became a blog.
All of that writing was done in a great software tool called Scrivener.
Scrivener is the writer’s best friend when it comes to context creation, editing, compilation, and more. It seems to do it all, while still staying out of your way when you “just want to write.”
“Scrivener is the Swiss Army knive of writing software.
It has almost every tool you could need for your writing project, big or small.
However, the genius is that it stays out of your way and you only see what you need.
I probably use only 1/10 of its features, and it serves my needs brilliantly.”
Scrivener is the best tool to capture your writing. Whether you are writing fiction, non-fiction, or a research paper, Scrivener is a powerful tool for bringing your writing together in one place.
In fact, I just finished my latest book project and the entire manuscript was written in Scrivener.
How I Save Time Using Scrivener
Here are just a few of the features that save me time when writing with Scrivener:
- Project Overview – What makes Scrivener different from the traditional word processor is that instead of only seeing “where you are” in the document, you can see the entire layout at once. You can see all of your chapters/topics in the left hand binder-bar and can instantly jump to any section of your document.
- Multiple Sections – The ability to have multiple sections is a game changer for me. Unlike Word or Pages, I can have many different sub-documents that I am writing in at once. It allows me to quickly add various topics without worrying where they will fit into the overall project. It is like having page-after-page of your document that you can add, edit, and move at will.
- Full Screen Mode – Scrivener supports OX X Lion’s new full screen mode. I use this to go into the “writing zone” and block out distractions. For even more isolation, Scrivener also has a full screen composition mode which darkens out everything except the actual writing area.
- Quickly Re-Arrange Chapters – This is task that is difficult to do in Word. However, with Scrivener’s binder bar I can instantly drag chapters and re-order them, create sub-folders, or even drag them out of the current project into the research area.
- Outline mode – If you prefer, you can get a bird’s-eye view of your document by using the outline view or the cork-board view. The later presents each chapter of your document as a virtual notecard laid out on a cork-board. You can again move things around or add to your document.
- Combine Sections – The “Scrivenings View” feature is amazing. You can combine any (or all) of your sections to be displayed in one continuous view. This does not even require rearranging of your document. You can pick two or three chapters from different areas of your project and display them together for reading/editing.
- Export – While Scrivener is wonderful for writing. When you are done, you will probably want to export your work for post production, graphic design, etc. Scrivener has a very extensive export function that allows you to export your work into almost any format you can imagine. (Even Kindle and ePub formats!) And if you really want to tweak the output, Scrivener will let you.
Here is a very short video demo of Scrivener…
If you can’t view the video, click here to watch on YouTube.
Scrivener Saves Time
If you are serious about writing… you need Scrivener.
(You also need a Mac. However, there is a Scrivener for Windows Beta available.)
Scrivener costs $45. If you are writer, this tool is well worth the investment.
Get it from the Mac App store here: Scrivener or directly from their website here.
How do you use Scrivener? Or what other software do you use for your writing?
Scrivener is an incredible tool! Best thing to happen to my writing since Focuswriter. As a grad student writing a thesis, being able to write it in pieces and put it together in the end is invaluable.
@mrmichienzi Awesome! Great to hear that you wrote your thesis with Scrivener!
Wish it has existed back when I was in college. 🙂
@mrmichienzi Awesome! Great to hear that you wrote your thesis with Scrivener!
Wish it has existed back when I was in college. 🙂
Scrivener is an incredible tool! Best thing to happen to my writing since Focuswriter. As a grad student writing a thesis, being able to write it in pieces and put it together in the end is invaluable.
I’ve been looking for a new writing tool…Word isn’t doing it for me anymore. Hopefully they get the Windows version out of beta soon…
@al.pittampalli Al, we need to get you on a Mac! 🙂
@al.pittampalli Al, we need to get you on a Mac! 🙂
I’ve been looking for a new writing tool…Word isn’t doing it for me anymore. Hopefully they get the Windows version out of beta soon…
I just put it on my to-do list to start researching writing tools as I’m gearing up to write my next book. You just saved me some time Craig! 🙂 Thank you!
@ChristySmith Christy! Good to see you again! 🙂
If you are on a Mac, there is no peer to Scrivener for creating large writing projects.
@ChristySmith Christy! Good to see you again! 🙂
If you are on a Mac, there is no peer to Scrivener for creating large writing projects.
I just put it on my to-do list to start researching writing tools as I’m gearing up to write my next book. You just saved me some time Craig! 🙂 Thank you!
Scrivener is an incredible tool! Best thing to happen to my writing since Focuswriter. As a grad student writing a thesis, being able to write it in pieces and put it together in the end is invaluable.
I’ve been looking for a new writing tool…Word isn’t doing it for me anymore. Hopefully they get the Windows version out of beta soon…
I just put it on my to-do list to start researching writing tools as I’m gearing up to write my next book. You just saved me some time Craig! 🙂 Thank you!
I just put it on my to-do list to start researching writing tools as I’m gearing up to write my next book. You just saved me some time Craig! 🙂 Thank you!
I just put it on my to-do list to start researching writing tools as I’m gearing up to write my next book. You just saved me some time Craig! 🙂 Thank you!
I’m still in the free trial, but I have to say I’m really enjoying using Scrivner. The ability to have my outline right above my scenes is invaluable.
I’m still in the free trial, but I have to say I’m really enjoying using Scrivner. The ability to have my outline right above my scenes is invaluable.
I’m still in the free trial, but I have to say I’m really enjoying using Scrivner. The ability to have my outline right above my scenes is invaluable.
I spent more than four years putting together a massive research and writing project with Scrivener. It saved not only time but my sanity. Now I use it for all sorts of small, as well as large, projects. And I’m still not using most of its capacities. It is, fortunately, very easy to get up and rolling with.
@robson.deborah Scrivener is awesome for large projects. The ability to have the sections all visible is great.
@robson.deborah Scrivener is awesome for large projects. The ability to have the sections all visible is great.
I spent more than four years putting together a massive research and writing project with Scrivener. It saved not only time but my sanity. Now I use it for all sorts of small, as well as large, projects. And I’m still not using most of its capacities. It is, fortunately, very easy to get up and rolling with.
I spent more than four years putting together a massive research and writing project with Scrivener. It saved not only time but my sanity. Now I use it for all sorts of small, as well as large, projects. And I’m still not using most of its capacities. It is, fortunately, very easy to get up and rolling with.
@al.pittampalli Al, we need to get you on a Mac! 🙂
@mrmichienzi Awesome! Great to hear that you wrote your thesis with Scrivener!
Wish it has existed back when I was in college. 🙂
@ChristySmith Christy! Good to see you again! 🙂
If you are on a Mac, there is no peer to Scrivener for creating large writing projects.
@ChristySmith Christy! Good to see you again! 🙂
If you are on a Mac, there is no peer to Scrivener for creating large writing projects.
Interesting post. I’m still debating, but so far Open Office is working fine for me.
A point we all need to remember — eyes are more important than software. It’s not “swiss army knive” but rather, Swiss Army Knife.
Interesting post. I’m still debating, but so far Open Office is working fine for me.
A point we all need to remember — eyes are more important than software. It’s not “swiss army knive” but rather, Swiss Army Knife.
Interesting post. I’m still debating, but so far Open Office is working fine for me.
A point we all need to remember — eyes are more important than software. It’s not “swiss army knive” but rather, Swiss Army Knife.
I’ve been using Scrivener for a little while, myself, and found it really useful for getting my thoughts into gear, removing distractions, and being able to edit and, in particular, re-order text in a very easy way.
I think that not having distractions is paramount when trying to concentrate on the job in hand, and Scrivener effectively removes the UI friction between writer and tool. I wrote two short blog articles on Scrivener here: http://acol.es/o3XxgA and here: http://acol.es/pLVcn6
I’ve been using Scrivener for a little while, myself, and found it really useful for getting my thoughts into gear, removing distractions, and being able to edit and, in particular, re-order text in a very easy way.
I think that not having distractions is paramount when trying to concentrate on the job in hand, and Scrivener effectively removes the UI friction between writer and tool. I wrote two short blog articles on Scrivener here: http://acol.es/o3XxgA and here: http://acol.es/pLVcn6
@adycoles Thanks for sharing your takes on Scrivener! 🙂
@adycoles Thanks for sharing your takes on Scrivener! 🙂
I’ve been using Scrivener for a little while, myself, and found it really useful for getting my thoughts into gear, removing distractions, and being able to edit and, in particular, re-order text in a very easy way.
I think that not having distractions is paramount when trying to concentrate on the job in hand, and Scrivener effectively removes the UI friction between writer and tool. I wrote two short blog articles on Scrivener here: http://acol.es/o3XxgA and here: http://acol.es/pLVcn6
I’ve used Scrivener for 3 NaNoWriMos so far, as well as a handful of treatments, tv plots and lengthy papers and projects. The Windows version is coming along, but not quite up to part with version 2.0 of the mac version.
@Zen_Ken Kenny, I hope you are doing NaNoWriMo this year! Are you in?
@Zen_Ken Kenny, I hope you are doing NaNoWriMo this year! Are you in?
I’ve used Scrivener for 3 NaNoWriMos so far, as well as a handful of treatments, tv plots and lengthy papers and projects. The Windows version is coming along, but not quite up to part with version 2.0 of the mac version.
I’ve used Scrivener for 3 NaNoWriMos so far, as well as a handful of treatments, tv plots and lengthy papers and projects. The Windows version is coming along, but not quite up to part with version 2.0 of the mac version.
@Zen_Ken Kenny, I hope you are doing NaNoWriMo this year! Are you in?
@Zen_Ken Kenny, I hope you are doing NaNoWriMo this year! Are you in?
@adycoles Thanks for sharing your takes on Scrivener! 🙂
@robson.deborah Scrivener is awesome for large projects. The ability to have the sections all visible is great.
Hey Craig,
That’s a good intro video to the tool – I can see how it can be valuable when writing long articles, ebooks, books…
Matt
Hey Craig,
That’s a good intro video to the tool – I can see how it can be valuable when writing long articles, ebooks, books…
Matt
Hey Craig,
That’s a good intro video to the tool – I can see how it can be valuable when writing long articles, ebooks, books…
Matt
Any recommendations for free writing programs that have some features similar to Scrivener?
Any recommendations for free writing programs that have some features similar to Scrivener?
Any recommendations for free writing programs that have some features similar to Scrivener?
The best website!
Without conditional Scrivener is good. I also sometimes use something similar. But you know, it happens when you need to write something, but you don’t have time at all. This has happened to me so many times. And in my own skin, I realized how important it is to have some other resource that can help you. Recently, I challenged myself to find something like this. During my searches, I found quite a lot of resources. On one of the sites I found this https://essayreviewexpert.com/review/studymoose/ review of the resource. Apparently it’s not bad, if you believe the estimates. Do you think I should try? Have you used anything other than Scrivener yourself? How is the impression?
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