Hands up if you’ve used Scrivener.
(Barely raises hand)
Starting a new novel is always exciting. I’m writing my fifth historical now, and I’ve never used Scrivener. I always tell myself… next time.
Next time I’ll use it, figure it out, give it a try! Now that “next time” is
here, and guess what? I gave up in like 2-seconds flat. Actually, it was after
two days.
I’ve been researching the content for my novel for weeks! I’m
sick to death of the research, I have to tell you. I have my outline done. I
even did something new (to me) and wrote out an entire chapter timeline on
butcher paper and marked all the major events. It’s a roll of paper and I
hooked it on a hanger and have it hanging in my kitchen on the sliding door
curtain rod. I’d show you, but then I’d have to kill you because all my novel’s
juicy bits are on there. But I look at it every day, and remind myself… this is
what I’m following.
But back to Scrivener. I registered for the free 30-day
trial. 30. Days. That is pretty generous, I think. Anyway, my first mistake was
sitting down to figure it out the moment I was ready to start drafting
chapters. Silly rabbit!
I found it awkward to navigate, but in the same breath I watched
the tutorial videos and… WOW! There are a lot of handy features. The notecards
look like an amazing feature. If only I can figure out how to use them myself.
Or even start a new chapter after I click the scene tab.
Perhaps I’m just resistant to change? I am pretty set in my
ways. My desk is full of notebooks, and when I can’t reach one, I scratch ideas
on napkins, sticky notes and even on the back of envelopes (I love to write
ideas on bills). I’ve created a messy filing system that up until now has served
me well.
But I know there is a better way, and maybe Scrivener is the answer. According to the tutorials, Scrivener takes all these note scratches, research, outlines, character sketches and all the rest of it and complies it into a nice digital notebook. Wouldn't that be nice?
I’m giving it another try this weekend.
Have you used it? What was your experience?
