Learn both basics and little-known hacks for using the award-winning Scrivener software to stay organized and motivated during the novel-writing process.

1. Scrivener for Fiction Writers
Presented by Linda Fulkerson

2. Meet Scrivener

3. What is Scrivener?
• Scrivener is an award-winning project
management system for writers that serves
several functions:
– Word processing
– Outlining
– Structuring
– Storage of Research Files/Reference Links
– Exporting/Compiling into a variety of file
formats
• Scrivener is available for both Mac and PC

4. Benefits of Using Scrivener
• Scrivener can be used as a distraction-free word
processor
• Scrivener can also be used to format and structure your
writing
• Scrivener enables you to store your writing, your
research, your references, and your ideas all in one
project
• Scrivener can output your manuscript in a variety of
formats
• Scrivener is flexible and can be adapted to the work
habits of individual writers
• The Scrivener development team provides a large library
of free tutorial videos on their website

5. Overview of Scrivener’s Features
• Single- or multi-document editing (i.e. view/edit
individual chapters & scenes or view/edit entire
manuscript
• Virtual index cards give you a quick view of
entire manuscript and can aid in structuring
• Fully featured outlining tool
• Collections enable writers to call up an maintain
specific documents within your manuscript (such
as POV scenes of different characters)
• Full-screen editing
• Scriptwriting Mode

6. Overview of Scrivener’s Features (cont.)
• Snapshots allow writers to save a specific point
in their work and compare revisions to previous
snapshots
• QuickReference Panes display work side-by-
side with other manuscript documents, including
research documents
• Synchronize work to iPad and iPhone app using
file-sharing tools, such as DropBox
• Compile for Export and Print lets you send your
work to another program, such as MS Word, or
compile it for eBook or Print publication

7. Getting Started with Scrivener
• Get a FREE trial of Scrivener (30 days actual
use) at www.literatureandlatte.com/trial.php
• At the LiteratureandLatte website, you can
purchase Scrivener for Mac ($45) or
Windows ($40). Combination packages, the
iOS app, and educational discounts are also
available.
• Scrivener also provides a special FREE
edition that runs during NaNoWriMo

12. Planning with Scrivener
• If you’re a Pantser, hang tight for a few
minutes while I share a few ways I plan
before I get started with the actual writing

16. Writing with Scrivener
• Scrivener, at its core, is a word processor.
You’ll find all the same word processing
functions you’re used to with other word
processing programs, such as MS Word
• You can also create “presets” (think: Styles)
for formatting text in a way you use frequently
• You have the choice of distraction-free writing
in full-screen mode or typing directly into the
editor pane of the main window
• Let’s get started with Writing with Scrivener!

33. Structuring with Scrivener
• Scrivener makes it easy to structure your
manuscript with its specialty display modes
• The beauty of Scrivener is that it works well
for both Plotters and Pantsers. If you love to
write first and then make revisions, then you
can do that and use the structuring tools
within Scrivener to organize and revise your
scenes. If you prefer to plot first, then start
with the structuring tools, such as Index
Cards, and then start writing your story.

45. Additional Scrivener Features
• Some writers simply write in Scrivener. Others add the structuring
features to their workflow. However, there are still some other powerful
features within Scrivener to help you organize your work and reach your
writing goals, including:
– Custom Labels and Statuses
– Project Notes
– Document References
– Keywords
– Custom Meta-Data
– Snapshots
– Comments and Footnotes
– Advanced Search Function
– Revisions Mode
– Project Word Count Targets
– Collections

73. Compiling with Scrivener
• As you can see, Scrivener is a powerful tool
for writing, structuring, and organizing your
work, but you can also compile your
manuscript and export it for a variety of uses
• You can choose to do a simple export or, if
you’re publishing an eBook or preparing a
manuscript for print directly from Scrivener,
the Compile tool offers many options

79. Templates
• Nonfiction Template Example
• Fiction Template Example
• How to make your own template

96. Creating a New Template
• It’s super easy to make a template from a
Scrivener project. Once you get your project
set up the way you want, simply go to
File > Save as Template
• Then, name your Template and select the
Template Category you want it to go into and
click OK
• When you open the New Project screen,
you’ll see your new template among the
others

99. Questions & Answers
• I’ll do my best to answer any questions you
may have, but my best suggestion is to get a
free trial of Scrivener and play around with it.
Every author I’ve spoken with or those whose
blogs I’ve read has developed their own
Scrivener work flow, which is one of the
reasons Scrivener is so awesome – there’s
no right or wrong way to use it.