P.H. Solomon's Blog, page 301
June 7, 2015
Power-User Vs. Avid Scrivener User
Scrivener is a powerful writing tool. I write about it weekly with tips and usage ideas. To read more of my posts click the Scrivener tag or category at the end of the page.
Sometimes I’m contacted by someone who kindly lets me know that my Scrivener posts have helped them in some way. Often in these messages I’m referred to as a guru or a power user. I’m flattered by these terms but I’ve always found these labels daunting to say the least. Why do I feel this way? I’m glad you asked..
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Businessman Speaking Through Megaphone
I don’t work for Scrivener nor do I make a living training people to use Scrivener. I do use Scrivener daily to do much of my writing work so I’m almost constantly working in it. Due to this reason, I’m always discovering a feature or usage that makes for good blog material. I’m constantly learning and this is true with writing, blogging and using Scrivener. I learn many things as I go and try to put what I know to good use as well as share it with others.
So what kind of user am I? An avid user. This is someone who loves the software and is constantly looking for ways to use it more effectively. Often instructions aren’t enough for people, they need a way to relate the material to usage and that’s why I share so much of what I’ve learned – and continue to learn – over this blog. I do receive notes in various places from people who have trouble making a transition to Scrivener but once they do they really understand what they’ve been missing.
Thanks to everyone who looks up to me as a power user. I’m glad that my work has been of use to my readers as well as motivated many to learn more themselves. But just remember, I am one of you – a happy customer. I’m so happy with Scrivener that I like trumpeting the virtues of this outstanding product to anyone who will listen or read about it. If you’re still debating switching to Scrivener why not try it for Lit & Latte Free Trial? The main things to learn are starting a new project, using the corkboard, using the binder and working with the editor. Everything else is just on-the-job-training and we’re all learning as we go.
Please share your thoughts and ideas in the comments section. I’d also love to connect with you over social media so check my Contact page for that information. I’ve updated the site with a new landing page starting today but you can still view the News page for announcements. As part of the changes, new email subscribers (you won’t be spammed will your address be sold) will receive my free new guide, 15 Must Have Apps for Self-Publishing Authors. Sign-up today! I’ve added a new sign-up tab on my FaceBook page to simplify the process. Also, the cover of my book, The Bow of Destiny, was revealed recently so take a look.
Meanwhile, I’ll begin sharing tidbits I learned while at a writer’s conference tomorrow. See you then!
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Just as a note: I am not affiliated with Scrivener in any official capacity. For support questions, pricing and other concerns please contact the vendor.
Filed under: Blogging, Cover Reveal, Creativity, Fantasy, Indie Publishing, Marketing, Pinterest, Scrivener, Self-publishing, Short Fiction, Short Stories, Social Media, The Black Bag, The Bow of Destiny, Twitter, Writing Tagged: Avid User, blogging, Coverart, creativity, Editing, Facebook, Indie Publishing, Literature & Latte, P. H. Solomon, Pinterest, Power User, Scrivener, Self-publishing, Social Media, The Black Bag, The Bow of Destiny, Twitter, writing
June 6, 2015
SPOTLIGHT Author Blog Tour Featuring: Tara Fairfield
Today I’m pleased to welcome this week’s featured Rave Reviews SPOTLIGHT Blog Tour author – Tara Fairfield. This is one of the great perks RRBC offers to members who are regularly active in the club. Congratulations to Tara for winning the current tour and kudos to the club to continue promoting great authors like this! Take it away, Tara!
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Author Bio: Hi everyone! I am a licensed psychologist, author and speaker living in the Pacific Northwest. I grew up in Southern California and love being near the ocean. Some of my fondest memories of childhood are of swimming and snorkeling around Catalina Island. I have three grown children, three grandchildren and four dogs. Life is good! I’m 
very excited to introduce Makai King, which combines my love for the ocean with a wonderful fantasy carrying a positive message to young adults.
Blurb: Off the coast of Lanai, far beyond the sailboats, there is a hidden world beneath the beryl-blue sea, the marvelous kingdom of Moku-ola, a place where man and beast live in harmony. Unknown and forbidden to those living above the surface, it has never been discovered….until now.
THOUGHTS ON FORGIVENESS:
Forgiveness is a theme woven into the Makai series and a topic near and dear to my heart. Forgiveness is about so much more than what is going on between you and the person who hurt you; it’s about the state of your heart. When you harbor anger or bitterness for someone, your thoughts and emotions are captured by that situation, keeping you trapped, spiritually, emotionally and mentally.
Forgiving moves you forward, frees you and allows healing to occur. When you forgive you escape resentments’ trap and stop the grip of bitterness on your heart. When you hold on to hurts, you are the one who suffers, not the person who offended or harmed you. Forgiving doesn’t mean you have to remain in a bad relationship, condone the behavior, expose yourself to abuse or forget what happened. You can forgive and still hold someone accountable for his or her actions, or even break off the relationship altogether.
More and more research is finding that people who forgive experience lower levels of physical pain, anger, depression, blood pressure and heart rate.
Take a moment and examine your heart, it may be time to let go of the negative emotions holding you hostage. Be free to fully step into the person you were created to be.
MAKAI QUEEN
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/makai-queen-tara-fairfield/1110606035?ean=9781937756703
MAKAI KING
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/makai-king-tara-fairfield/1120256263?ean=9781939989123
WHEN MY LION CALLS
Find Tara online: Twitter: @makaiqueen
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tara-Fairfield/293728984155377
Website: http://tarafairfield.com/index.html
Best wishes for good sales to Tara. Please take a few moments to view Tara’s work via her links. If you’re interested in membership with Rave Reviews Book Club just click the link to find out more and if you join tell them P. H. Solomon sent you.
Please share your thoughts and ideas in the comments section. I’d also love to connect with you over social media so check my Contact page for that information. I’ve updated the site with a new landing page starting today but you can still view the News page for announcements. As part of the changes, new email subscribers will receive my free new guide, 15 Must Have Apps for Self-Publishing Authors. Sign-up today! I’ve added a new sign-up tab on my FaceBook page to simplify the process. Also, the cover of my book, The Bow of Destiny, was revealed recently so take a look.
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Filed under: Amazon, Blog Tour, Blogging, Cover Reveal, Creativity, Fiction, Indie Publishing, Marketing, Pinterest, Planning, Rave Review Book Club, Self-publishing, Social Media, Spotlight Blog Tour, Twitter, Writing Tagged: Announcement, Blog Tour, blogging, Coverart, creativity, Facebook, Fiction, Goodreads, Indie Publishing, Makai Queen, Marketing, Pinterest, Rave Reviews Book Club, Social Media, Tara Fairfield, Twitter, writing
June 5, 2015
The Week in Review: 6/5/15
Here’s another review of the week for those interested in what’s appeared on the blog this week and what I’ve been reading.
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From Archer’s Aim This Week:
Laying-out With Scrivener This Summer
Updated: How You Can Join the Mother of All Blog Tours
Fantasy Authors Unplugged Featuring Ryan Doughan
The End – And Then What?
Keeping Your Creativity Flowing
Posts & Articles I’ve been reading this week:
Lisa Mauro discusses her perspectives as a new author and who she found support in RRBC.
I’m working on some short stories so I’ve re-read Autumn Birt’s blog post from several weeks ago about how to write them.
Here’s one from Kristen Lamb’s blog about choosing an POV character.
I think this may be the best article/post I’ve read in a while – Staying Sane in a Crazy (Self-Publishing) World by Susan Kaye Quinn. If you read any of these links this is the one to choose first. Very good tips to follow and I’m considering her books about this topic as soon as I finish up a few other books.
Fancy some short fiction reading? Apex Magazine has a new issue out this week and I’m partial to: Inhabiting Your Skin by Mari Ness
I’ve received The Bow of Destiny manuscript back from my editor. It looks like I’ll be able to complete minor changes within a week and then engage some beta readers for further feedback. I hope to progress to a final version to give to a formatter by July. I’m also currently working on some free short stories related to the book to offer starting in July. Things are really starting to come together for a release in late September. Finally, I’m working on various short fiction projects as I can with two stories currently out for submission.
I’m away today and tomorrow at a local writing conference. I hope you’ve enjoyed my posts this week and found some of them useful. I’ll be back next week with more information from the conference to share in upcoming weeks and months. I also hope everyone has taken advantage of subscribing to my email list to receive my guide: 15 Must Have Internet & Software Gadgets for Self-Publishing Authors. If you are signing-up over these few days and don’t see the notification of where to download the book please be patient and I’ll catch-up with all my notices (I don’t yet have the email/site hosting to automate this yet but I’m working on it).
Happy weekend, everyone!
Please share your thoughts and ideas in the comments section. I’d also love to connect with you over social media so check my Contact page for that information. I’ve updated the site with a new landing page starting today but you can still view the News page for announcements. As part of the changes, new email subscribers will receive my free new guide, 15 Must Have Apps for Self-Publishing Authors. Sign-up today! I’ve added a new sign-up tab on my FaceBook page to simplify the process. Also, the cover of my book, The Bow of Destiny, was revealed recently so take a look.
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Filed under: Amazon, Author Platform, Blog Tour, Blogging, Brain to Books Blog Tour, Cover Reveal, Creativity, Editing, Fantasy, Fantasy Authors Unplugged, Fiction, Goodreads, Indie Publishing, Marketing, Mist Falcon, Pinterest, Planning, Rave Review Book Club, Ryan Doughan, Scrivener, Self-publishing, Short Fiction, Short Stories, Social Media, Tech Tips, The Black Bag, The Bow of Destiny, The Bow of Hart Saga, The White Arrow, Tips, Twitter, What is Needed, Writing Tagged: Angela Chrysler, Announcement, Blog Tour, blogging, Books to Brains Blog Tour, Coverart, creativity, Editing, Epic Fantasy, Facebook, Fantasy Authors Unplugged, Fantasy Fiction, Goodreads, Indie Publishing, Mist Falcon, Planning, Ryan Doughan, Scrivener, Self-publishing, Short Stories, Social Media, The Bow of Destiny, Tips, writing
June 3, 2015
The End – And Then What?
While my upcoming book, The Bow of Destiny is with my editor for the last time. I’ve been working on the second book in the series, An Arrow Against the Wind. This next book is still a rough draft that I had originally thought might be near completion. However, I made a vital change to the whole series and stripped out a subplot to develop in a parallel series. The result was a much shorter draft of An Arrow Against the Wind.
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So I took a look at the book and decided there were holes in the draft that needed filling with several more chapters and scenes. There was just too much of the story left out in my original thinking. I’ve worked through the original ending of the book so last month I wrote with the idea of adding the rest of the scenes and chapters to complete the rough draft.
But then I realized my error in thinking. Once I complete the last chapter, the rough draft is complete. Anything I need to change or add after that would fall under being a structural edit. In other words, I didn’t need to plan so much work for the month. I needed to plan for editing at a later date.
Why this is important to me as a writer is that I get to finish a major goal which allows me to move onto other projects and goals without worrying too much over details. I also get to exercise what I’ve learned about structural edits from working with a few editors. I can apply this editing experience to improving my rough draft rather than thinking I have to get it perfect the first go around.
So that’s what I’m planning with the next book. I’ll do a structural revision by adding the missing scenes and chapters and then worry about more structural details by revising existing chapters for consistency with The Bow of Destiny. This way I can schedule my activities around other necessities and prepare for sending out short stories and work on book release details.
With the experience I’ve gained working on the first book, I look forward to releasing the second one much sooner. My development calendar is much less stuffed than expected with long periods of editing. Rather, I’ve got specific goals to achieve over shorter expected time-frames.
What’s your approach to ending a rough draft vs restructuring your manuscripts? Please share your thoughts and ideas in the comments section. I’d also love to connect with you over social media so check my Contact page for that information. I’ve updated the site with a new landing page but you can still view the News page for announcements. As part of the changes, new email subscribers will receive my free new guide, 15 Must Have Apps for Self-Publishing Authors. Sign-up today! I’ve added a new sign-up tab on my FaceBook page to simplify the process. Also, the cover of my book, The Bow of Destiny, was revealed recently so take a look.
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Filed under: An Arrow Against the Wind, Cover Reveal, Creativity, Editing, Fantasy, Fiction, Indie Publishing, Pinterest, Planning, Self-publishing, Social Media, The Black Bag, The Bow of Destiny, The Bow of Hart Saga, Tips, Twitter, Writing Tagged: blogging, Coverart, creativity, Editing, Facebook, Fantasy Fiction, Indie Publishing, P. H. Solomon, Pinterest, Self-publishing, Social Media, The Black Bag, The Bow of Destiny, Tips, Twitter, writing
June 2, 2015
Fantasy Authors Unplugged Featuring Ryan Doughan
This is continuing feature on Archer’s Aim – Fantasy Authors Unplugged. I hope to frequently share an interview with a fantasy author. If you have authors to suggest and/or questions you’d like to see answered then leave a comment or send me an email. If you are a fantasy author and would like an interview please let me know and we’ll plan one that fits your schedule. Today’s featured author is Ryan Doughan who has one book published and another in the work. Welcome, Ryan!
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Q: Hi Ryan, how long have you been writing and what got you started?
A: I actually started writing in any seriousness with poetry, writing my first poem just after my grandfather’s death when I was about fourteen. I moved from that into short fiction and then novels. My love affair with the written word started long before that first poem, though. My dad read to me most every night when I was a kid. He gave me the keys to Narnia and Middle Earth both, along with a number of other lands. He taught me that there was a universe to see and a million vantage points to look on it from.
I guess I became a lifelong reader even in the early years before I could read myself. In truth, writing is just reading on steroids for me. I not only get to come along for a great ride that someone else set up, I get to participate in its creation. That’s a job I can sign up for to my dying day.
Q: If you cross-over into another genre besides fantasy what would you choose and why?
A: That’s a great question. I love questions that make me think. I actually do write some nonfiction and am working on a project with my dad right now for use in teaching kids incredibly important lessons.
For fiction, though, my go to answer would be Science Fiction. Some might call that cheating however, since the two genres are so tightly intertwined. So, I’m going to go with mystery. I’ve always loved good Sherlock Holmes style brain twisters. I wouldn’t mind trying my hand at one.
Q: What’s the name of your current book and its storyline?
A: My debut novel, MIST FALCON: Book One Of The Warrior Poet Archives, was released this April. It was a blast to write, and I’ve had a lot of great feedback from it. Here’s the short blurb about it:
“I write this now, chiseled in stone and wrapped in wind with the hope that you may yet be saved from my folly. Avoid my errors and do not follow in my footsteps, save in greater preparation and wisdom than I have shown. Do not be fooled by the appearance of things. They are so rarely as they seem in this.”
In a kingdom shattered by war and never properly healed, Aiden is whirled out of his ordinary life scraping-by, scavenging the outskirts of Oustenbasch, one of the Nine Cities. Through total loss and driven by revenge, Aiden finds himself fretfully navigating a world of political mayhem while floundering through power in a magic he never dreamed to control.
Willem is a traveling musical prodigy, his voice and talent drawing crowds and filling taverns along with his troupe’s coffers. All the golden eagles in the realm can’t protect him, though, when the Swaar raiders attack the town of Bellcross, sending him scurrying into a life he would never have chosen, questioning the meaning of his existence while wrestling with a music that may be more powerful than he had ever imagined.
Known amongst all the Swaar as “Wolf Rider”, Ren Tako lives and dies by his axe and the strength of his arm. Tako finds himself blown into a situation where he must choose between loyalty to his Dal, the famed Rock Giant, and following a new destiny that could cost him everything he has ever believed or gain him everything he has ever dreamed.
Welcome to the Nine Cities and the Waste beyond to the East. Come ride with me. Soar above a broken land in search of a glimmer of hope, an uncut gem hidden to all but the most perceiving eyes. Come fly with me to the towers of Holmsguard and beyond, and see what it is to be MIST FALCON.
If you’re interested in more details, you can check it out on Amazon here:
or click over to my website here:
http://www.ryanjdoughan.com/my-books.html
Q: How has being an author changed you?
A: I believe there are certain truths that are easier to see when one is taken out of their ordinary life. This is one of the greatest gifts fiction offers us. Writing fiction holds this gift just as much as reading it does. My eyes have been opened to things through the very process of telling a story about them.
Observation is another key growth point thanks to being an author. To tell a story that feels “real” I have to first be able to “see” the world in a real way. How people act, move, and talk—how they react to stress, loss, or joy—what happens when they’re nervous? Do they become edgy, giggly, brash? All of these things have to be threaded into the undercurrent of people’s lives for them to feel real. The same can be said for every aspect of storytelling whether it be world building, character creation, or political background.
Observation is absolutely key to understanding these piece of “reality” inside of a story, and it is a place I have grown the longer I have written.
Q: What’s your favorite fantasy villain, monster or minion?
A: Wow, now that is a question. I think I’m going to cheat the very nature of having a favorite and give you a few.
Brandin from Guy Gavriel Kay’s TIGANA—He has done evil things and yet is so complex that he’s hard to hate out right.
Saruman from LOTRs—a desperate man corrupted by fear and power.
Deloris Umbridge from Harry Potter—so easy to hate.
Severus Snape again from HP—I know, I know. He’s more of an antihero by the end, but he is so hate-able for so long, and what a fantastic character!
Andross Guile from Brent Weeks’ Lightbringer series—so corrupt and yet so smart.
Q: How do you like your fantasy? Epic with good vs. evil or gray with opposing interests?
A: If I had to pick, I would say I am an epic—good vs. evil type, but if a book is written well, I can fall in love with it either way. If everyone I’m cheering for loses, or is tricked and made null somehow, I’m probably going to be disappointed. I have this problem occasionally with “gritty” fantasy.
But really, if its good writing with interesting characters and a great story, I’m there.
Q: What’s next on your writing calendar?
A: As I mentioned briefly before, I am working on a project with my dad with the working title, Cookies On the Bottom Shelf. This is a grouping of object lessons to help parents teach their kids biblical truths at a level that kids can understand. I have three kids, and I can speak from experience. Answering questions that are deeply theological at their core in a way that children can understand is tough. Cookies On the Bottom Shelf will help with some of those answers.
I have also started Book Two of The Warrior Poet Archives, continuing the adventure where MIST FALCON leaves off. It’s actually thrilling to dive back into the world of the Nine Cities, creating something new and familiar at the same time. It is also a considerable shift from the months I spent editing before MIST FALCON’s release. First drafts are a completely different technique from final drafts, more work in some ways, but oh so fun.
If you’d like to keep up with the progress of my upcoming books, I’d love to have you sign up over on my website, here: http://www.ryanjdoughan.com/blog . I’m also giving away the first two chapters of MIST FALCON for your early enjoyment.
Thanks to Ryan for being featured for the interview today. As always, I encourage readers to visit his links and check out his work. If you’re a fantasy author and would like to be interviewed for “Fantasy Authors Unplugged” just contact me via email or one of my social media channels and we’ll set one up.
Please share your thoughts and ideas in the comments section. I’d also love to connect with you over social media so check my Contact page for that information. I’ve updated the site with a new landing page starting today but you can still view the News page for announcements. As part of the changes, new email subscribers will receive my free new guide, 15 Must Have Apps for Self-Publishing Authors. Sign-up today! I’ve added a new sign-up tab on my FaceBook page to simplify the process. Also, the cover of my book, The Bow of Destiny, was revealed recently so take a look.
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Filed under: Amazon, Author Platform, Blogging, Cover Reveal, Creativity, Fantasy, Fantasy Authors Unplugged, Fiction, Goodreads, Indie Publishing, Marketing, Mist Falcon, Pinterest, Planning, Ryan Doughan, Self-publishing, Social Media, The Black Bag, The Bow of Destiny, The Bow of Hart Saga, Twitter, Writing Tagged: blogging, Coverart, creativity, Editing, Facebook, Fantasy Authors Unplugged, Fantasy Fiction, Goodreads, Indie Publishing, Marketing, Mist Falcon, Pinterest, Ryan Doughan, Self-publishing, Social Media, The Warrior Poet Archives, writing
June 1, 2015
Updated: How You Can Join the Mother of All Blog Tours
Every author is looking for a way to discover readers so blog tours are a very popular option. I know I’ll be trying to organize as many tours as possible for the release of The Bow of Destiny this fall. But I didn’t think I’d get an early start on tours. However, I just couldn’t pass up an opportunity to take part in one before the release: The 2015 Books To Brains Blog Tour.
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Angela B. Chrysler has come up with a generous idea to host a month-long tour on her sites, Brain to Books and AngelaBChrysler.com. Each day a new author will be featured with the total being over 60. Wow, that’s just huge! Talk about generosity – Angela’s got it.
I’m scheduled on August 31st with a pre-release post about The Bow of Destiny. I’ll begin sharing about the details of the book and getting a big jump on pre-release promotion. Many thanks to Angela for hosting and kudos for the idea.
If you’re an author interested in being a part of this month-long tour, there’s still slots available. Join Angela’s group on Goodreads for information about the blog tour and email her to gain a spot on the tour. She’s also looking for assistance in several ways so let her know if you can help.
Also, there’s a Thunderclap already running that still needs supporters to amplify the announcement about the tour. If you’re willing to help with a social media blitz then click on the link and help promote the tour.
Please share your thoughts and ideas in the comments section. I’d also love to connect with you over social media so check my Contact page for that information. See the News page for announcements and remember to sign-up to receive news and posts by email. I’ve added a new sign-up tab on my FaceBook page to simplify the process. New followers can download The Black Bag via free coupon today! Also, the cover of my book, The Bow of Destiny, was revealed recently so take a look.
Updates:
1. As of the end of last week there was one spot left for August but Angela has opened slots for pre-tour dates in July.
2. If you join the Goodreads group, check for the post for Fantasy authors and enter to win one of five slots offered on M. E. Vaughan’s site during August.
3. I’ve offered to co-host up to 2 fantasy authors per week during July & August. Authors will be responsible for sending me there content to post at least a week in advance including the full post material covering something about their book as well as their photo, cover art, book links and contact links.
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Filed under: Amazon, Author Platform, Blog Tour, Blogging, Books to Brains Blog Tour, Cover Reveal, Creativity, Fantasy, Goodreads, Indie Publishing, Marketing, Pinterest, Self-publishing, Social Media, The Black Bag, The Bow of Destiny, Twitter, Writing Tagged: Angela Chrysler, Announcement, Blog Tour, blogging, Books to Brains Blog Tour, Coverart, creativity, Editing, Epic Fantasy, Facebook, Fantasy Fiction, Goodreads, Indie Publishing, Marketing, P. H. Solomon, Pinterest, Self-publishing, Social Media, The Black Bag, The Bow of Destiny, writing
UPCOMING GIVEAWAY! MUST FOLLOW MY BLOG TO ENTER. DETAILS SOON! :)
PHS:
Here’s an interesting giveaway for indie authors out there – Book Reviewer Yellow Pages. I would anticipate this being a handy reference!
Originally posted on JANUARY GRAY:
Hello! Please stay posted for an upcoming Giveaway of this excellent resource! You must follow my Blog to enter (pretty please)
Filed under: Uncategorized
May 31, 2015
Laying-out This Summer With Scrivener
Scrivener is a powerful writing tool. I write about it weekly with tips and usage ideas. To read more of my posts click the Scrivener tag or category at the end of the page.
To begin with, let me take care of a little house-cleaning on two points of information. First, I’ve updated my website so that the Store page is now the Store/Downloads page. I’ve posted all the Scrivener project templates I’ve create there for anyone to download and use free including a new one for articles. Second, if you’re looking for a great post about using Scrivener for blogging then check out Bryan Collins’ Using Scrivener For Blogging: The Ultimate How To Guide.
Now onto today’s topic: The Layout Manager. This feature is one that at first seems rather cryptic or even redundant to other features. However, a closer look reveals that the Layout Manager has a specific purpose – saving multiple work layouts of Scrivener bars and views. That’s a simple explanation for what it does but it actually provides a certain flexibility according to need – but more on that in a moment. Let’s look at how to use it and then discuss context.
Opening the Layout Manager
To access the Layout Manager, click on Window (Alt + w), slide down the menu to Layouts to get a fly-out menu for Layout Manager. If you have no layouts then there is only one choice available – the manager.
Once you open the Layout Manager you have this window, you can name and save different work layouts. Read the description for the manger’s purpose and you get a bit more idea of its purpose. To add a layout click the + button and name the layout. To delete click the minus button. There’s also a gear button to further manage your settings by updating, importing or exporting the layouts. You can also choose to “Save outliner and corkboard settings” and “Preserve all meta-data appearance options”.
The Layout Manager
So, you have a way to save your layouts, meaning what settings you have turned on like the Binder, Inspector, Corkboard and split views of the editor. Without the Layout Manager if you are working in one layout in one mode you have to manually change multiple settings depending on your activity. You may be developing or editing and want consistent views for what your tasks are. Just like using project or document templates, you can change views to suit what you are doing. One handy tool is the update feature which you use to save changes to a layout by choosing the layout in the manager and then choosing the settings button and the update option.
Settings saved in the Layout Manager across projects.
There are some caveats to all this as well as some useful benefits. First the caveats: while your layouts are for your installation of Scrivener on a specific machine, not all of the settings are preserved between projects since not all settings are meaningful in every project. One of the main settings not preserved are collections which are project specific. Also, I have not found that the manager allows you to toggle to a Full-screen mode with or without a backdrop. However, there are a lot of settings that are preserved including the outliner/corkboard views and the meta-data options if turned on for a specific layout. Here’s a screenshot from the Scrivener manual that lists all the settings preserved:
Now more about the benefits: the Layout Manager allows Scrivener users to setup their individual layouts based on workflow for differing tasks. Then users can toggle between layouts to perform various tasks without taking time to change individual settings, thus saving time.
Essentially, with each new project you have the ability to progress through your own workflow of development using your layouts without making constant changes to the view. Want to write with nothing else on at some point? Just change to that layout. The usage is meant to allow users to make layouts based on beginning project development and progressing through all the stages of work. It’s just one more way that Scrivener allows flexibility in project development to suit individual user needs.
But what happens if you replace your computer? Or what if you want common layouts on multiple computers where Scrivener is installed? This is where the Export/Import features are valuable, allowing you to setup layouts on new and different computers.
Once again we see how valuable Scrivener is to writers of all kinds in the development of their work. Why not try making a few layouts and see if using them helps you through your daily writing more efficiently? Please share your thoughts and ideas in the comments section. I’d also love to connect with you over social media so check my Contact page for that information. I’ve updated the site with a new landing page starting today but you can still view the News page for announcements. As part of the changes, new email subscribers will receive my free new guide, 15 Must Have Apps for Self-Publishing Authors. Sign-up today! I’ve added a new sign-up tab on my FaceBook page to simplify the process. Also, the cover of my book, The Bow of Destiny, was revealed recently so take a look.
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Just as a note: I am not affiliated with Scrivener in any official capacity. For support questions, pricing and other concerns please contact the vendor.
Filed under: Blogging, Cover Reveal, Creativity, Editing, Goodreads, Indie Publishing, Pinterest, Planning, Scrivener, Self-publishing, Social Media, Tech Tips, The Bow of Destiny, Tips, Twitter, Writing Tagged: blogging, Coverart, creativity, Editing, Facebook, Goodreads, Indie Publishing, Layout Manager, P. H. Solomon, Pinterest, Planning, Scrivener, Self-publishing, Social Media, The Bow of Destiny, Tips, Twitter, writing
May 30, 2015
Scrivener Quick-Tip: Feed Your Muse
Editing for Deep POV
Scrivener is such a handy tool. I now use it for almost all my writing and secondary composition activities. I’m constantly in and out of my various projects.
But as with much of writing, it is a task – enjoyable as it may be. Sometimes you just wish you could look outside or have something nearby to keep your muse going. Perhaps you need a picture that reminds you of what you’re writing.
Well, leave it to Literature & Latte to come up with a setting to help us writers along with motivation and muse. How did they do that? By including a setting to add a backdrop while writing in full-screen mode. You can add a picture which lends inspiration and experience a bit of wind in your sails.
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Here’s a quick tip to add the backdrop of your choice. Click on View and then go to Full Screen Backdrop. From the fly-out menu click on choose. Browse your computer for the picture of your choice and choose it. Once you’ve set a background picture go into full-screen (F11) and you’ll see your picture around the editor. Want to leave full-screen mode? Just push Escape (ESC) on your keyboard. Here’s screenshot to help you along:
Here’s what it looks like from my laptop – results vary depending on screen size:
I write about Scrivener about once a week. If you would like to see previous posts just click on the Scrivener category or tag below to find additional content. Also, check back on weekends when I often re-post previous popular posts that often end up being a Scrivener topic.
I hope this quick tip helps you with your writing muse. There are many other settings so take time to learn those according to your project parameters. Please share your thoughts and ideas in the comments section. I’d also love to connect with you over social media so check my Contact page for that information. See the News page for announcements and remember to sign-up to receive news and posts by email. I’ve added a new sign-up tab on my FaceBook page to simplify the process. New followers can download The Black Bag via free coupon today! Also, the cover of my book, The Bow of Destiny, was revealed recently so take a look.
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Filed under: Blogging, Creativity, Editing, Fiction, Goodreads, Indie Publishing, Planning, Scrivener, Self-publishing, Short Fiction, Short Stories, Social Media, The Black Bag, The Bow of Destiny, Tips, Twitter, Writing Tagged: blogging, creativity, Editing, Facebook, Indie Publishing, P. H. Solomon, Scrivener, Self-publishing, Social Media, The Bow of Destiny, Tips, Twitter, writing
The Great Formatting Conundrum & What To Do About It
I recently received a question over Twitter from someone asking if I provided formatting services. It’s not uncommon since so many independent authors are in need of e-book formatting. I’ve written about this topic in passing before but I decided to cover it in more detail today.
First let me say I do not offer formatting services. I’d be open to in the future if the need arose for more immediate income. However, I’m neither experienced enough yet nor do I have the time to run such a service while publishing my own fiction.
However, having formatted my own short story as an e-book – as well as intending to publish a few more short projects in the future – I do have some insights to offer for newer writers with questions. Most everyone advises that an author farm formatting out to someone who knows how to do it properly. It’s not terribly expensive for a novel and doesn’t require a long turn around time. But for shorter projects you may want to save the money and do the work yourself.
Formatting Resources
In either instance here are some resources for formatting:
Want to find formatters? Visit this link by Mark Coker, founder of Smashwords, for his list of self-publishing related services. It includes people who offer formatting services with their pricing as well as illustrators and editors.
Want to do the work yourself? Download Mark Coker’s Smashwords Style Guide. This includes how to format your e-book so that it’s ready for submitting to Smashwords. I also found it effective for uploading to Amazon.
Tips
With that information in mind here are some tips regarding formatting if you decide to give it a go yourself:
Do not use your original manuscript. Create copy of the manuscript from which to work. This way if you mess it up you have no worries about it and can easily start over.
Start learning with a shorter project. Once you have experience try something longer.
Format correctly from the beginning. Read the Smashwords Style Guide for specific instructions on formatting your work with e-book publishing in mind.
To begin formatting, remove all the bad formatting. Copy all of the content to a text editor like Notepad and then back into your word processor software to remove all the incorrect formatting. Again the style guide has detailed instructions for this process.
Learn about Styles and use them when formatting an e-book. Styles are used in Word and are quick way of using preset formatting for different font styles. You can create Styles for titles, first lines, etc. These are also available in Scrivener. (take screen shots of Word and Scrivener styles)
Create and use internal links. When you are formatting your manuscript to e-book conversion you can create internal links. These are important for use in e-book readers so anyone reading can move throughout the book with ease. One of the best ways to use this is to link your table of contents to each chapter heading or title and then each chapter back to the contents.
Final Thoughts
Many people have an aversion to formatting as if they might ruin their book. As long as you don’t work from the original you are free to play around with the process and learn. Once you’ve formatted even a short e-book you’ve gained valuable skill. Even if you do not want to format your novel you certainly know what to expect with a finished product when paying someone else. In the end it’s up to each person to decide what’s best – hiring out the work or DIY – but learn about the process some as well. Who knows, you may find you like doing it and launch a secondary income stream formatting for other authors. Regardless, I’ll follow up on some of the tips with some future posts on this subject.
Have you tried formatting an e-book? What keeps you from trying? Please share your thoughts and ideas in the comments section. I’d also love to connect with you over social media so check my Contact page for that information. See the News page for announcements and remember to sign-up to receive news and posts by email. I’ve added a new sign-up tab on my FaceBook page to simplify the process. New followers can download The Black Bag via free coupon today! Also, the cover of my book, The Bow of Destiny, was revealed recently so take a look.
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As a note, I do not work for or support any services for Smashwords. Please refer to Smashwords for questions and support.
Filed under: Blogging, Cover Reveal, Creativity, Editing, Indie Publishing, NaNoWriMo, Planning, Scrivener, Social Media, Tech Tips, Templates, Tips, Writing Tagged: blogging, creativity, Editing, Facebook, Formatting, Indie Publishing, P. H. Solomon, Scrivener, Self-publishing, Social Media, The Black Bag, The Bow of Destiny, Twitter, writing
