God, it's... well, like, in the past, if I had a project that needed research, or worldbuilding notes, or multiple files for any reason, I'd have to have all these separate files to manage, and organize. With Scrivener, you create a "Project", and then all the various worldbuilding, research, character profiles, etc. are in the project. You can switch from one to another really quickly, you can have split screen where you have one file opened on the top or on one side and another opened on the bottom or the other side. (This has proved infinitely useful in the writing of a fic from a bare-bones "choose your own adventure" type IM session I had with an RP mod recently, to explain why a character had been gone so long - I have the log c/p'd into a file, and then a file for the story, and I can have the log directly above where I'm writing so that I can reference it.)
Another great thing about it is that you can divide things into, say, chapters and scenes. And then if you decide that you want that chapter to be two earlier, or that scene to be in the middle of the next chapter, you don't need to c/p and create new files or anything. You drag and drop. They've also got a virtual corkboard for the types who like to use index cards to outline their story first - each card is a different file, so you can even write snippets of the scene or summaries or whatever, and then drag and drop and rearrange on the corkboard so that the order changes, but you still have all the same information under each card.
If you've ever heard of WriteRoom, it has a full-screen function that's very similar to that, where you can have a full-screen and text and no other distractions.
You can also label each file/folder with a type that's represented by colour (I tend to break it up by PoV characters and different research types - ie Worldbuilding, random brainstorming, character profiles) and a status (ie to do, in progress, first draft, final draft, finished) and both of these options are entirely customizable by project. There's also a tag function that I've never used much but could be very useful depending on the kind of project you're doing.
There's also a lot of awesome features that I've never used because I've never had reason to with my writing style, and I've met people who use it for school research projects as well, it's that useful. It's really worth looking in to if you have a Mac.
In addition, when I'm really trying to bang out words, I use Write of Die Desktop (which is a paltry $10 and works with Windows, Mac, Linux, or any OS that supports Adobe AIR-based programs) to keep me writing. It's a tool that I've found very useful (especially during Nano), but it's not for everyone. Still, if you've got this one scene that won't write itself and you're willing to edit afterwards, there's nothing like the threat of loud annoying noises or the loss of your words to prod you into writing. :) For the sceptical, there's also a (slightly less shiny) Web-based edition that was what got me begging and pleading for the desktop version to be completed in the first place. :)
Other than that... I don't really use any writing tools. I start up iTunes for background/mood, I use email attachments or google docs for beta purposes, and I just churn out whatever I can manage. :)
And you don't have to have Kamikazee mode (the one where it eats your words one by one if you don't type for a set period of time) on! I'm just a masochist. XD And insane.
OMG yes, Scrivener is AMAZING! I discovered it thanks to the spiffy NaNo trial and bought it back in December. Not only is it great for drafting fic, I actually used it to put together a couple of school papers too. I'm using Scrivener more than anything else lately.
But Write or Die is evil. EVIL I say! Plus it doesn't really help me much. I just can't write that way.
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(no subject)
Date: 2010-01-13 02:08 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-01-13 02:33 am (UTC)Another great thing about it is that you can divide things into, say, chapters and scenes. And then if you decide that you want that chapter to be two earlier, or that scene to be in the middle of the next chapter, you don't need to c/p and create new files or anything. You drag and drop. They've also got a virtual corkboard for the types who like to use index cards to outline their story first - each card is a different file, so you can even write snippets of the scene or summaries or whatever, and then drag and drop and rearrange on the corkboard so that the order changes, but you still have all the same information under each card.
If you've ever heard of WriteRoom, it has a full-screen function that's very similar to that, where you can have a full-screen and text and no other distractions.
You can also label each file/folder with a type that's represented by colour (I tend to break it up by PoV characters and different research types - ie Worldbuilding, random brainstorming, character profiles) and a status (ie to do, in progress, first draft, final draft, finished) and both of these options are entirely customizable by project. There's also a tag function that I've never used much but could be very useful depending on the kind of project you're doing.
There's also a lot of awesome features that I've never used because I've never had reason to with my writing style, and I've met people who use it for school research projects as well, it's that useful. It's really worth looking in to if you have a Mac.
In addition, when I'm really trying to bang out words, I use Write of Die Desktop (which is a paltry $10 and works with Windows, Mac, Linux, or any OS that supports Adobe AIR-based programs) to keep me writing. It's a tool that I've found very useful (especially during Nano), but it's not for everyone. Still, if you've got this one scene that won't write itself and you're willing to edit afterwards, there's nothing like the threat of loud annoying noises or the loss of your words to prod you into writing. :) For the sceptical, there's also a (slightly less shiny) Web-based edition that was what got me begging and pleading for the desktop version to be completed in the first place. :)
Other than that... I don't really use any writing tools. I start up iTunes for background/mood, I use email attachments or google docs for beta purposes, and I just churn out whatever I can manage. :)
(no subject)
Date: 2010-01-13 03:05 am (UTC)I've been looking into getting a Mac. I haven't had one in a long time. The Write or Die thing might kill me. LOSING WORDS!?!
Music's always on when I write. If there's a scene in a bar or setting where music would be playing or something...have to have atmosphere. .:)
(no subject)
Date: 2010-01-13 03:21 am (UTC)And you don't have to have Kamikazee mode (the one where it eats your words one by one if you don't type for a set period of time) on! I'm just a masochist. XD And insane.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-01-13 03:45 am (UTC)EEK. :D
(no subject)
Date: 2010-01-13 05:40 am (UTC)But Write or Die is evil. EVIL I say! Plus it doesn't really help me much. I just can't write that way.