Struggling Writers discussion

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Discussions > Scrivener and other software/programs

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message 1: by Selena (new)

Selena I just won NaNo this year and am finally taking advantage of the goodies. One of them is a reduced subscription to Scrivener, a writing software. I have the trial version now, but I'm finding it very useful and I love it. You can upload and create manuscripts, notes (including PDFs and pictures) and there are all sots of templates for scripts, novels, short stories etc. I'm still new to it myself so I'm sure I'm missing quite a few things yet and I haven't even done the things I have done justice in explaining. The one drawback I have found is trying to figure out some of the more trickier aspects, but their Help section is very useful.


message 2: by Jessica (new)

Jessica (jessicalcozzi) I participated in NaNoWriMo this year, but I didn't use Scrivener, but it sounds like I should have. Is it an expensive software?


message 3: by Shlomo (last edited Jan 03, 2014 09:45AM) (new)

Shlomo (shlomoreuben) | 48 comments Scrivener's for $40. But there's a 50% discount for Nanowrimo winners, which makes it $20. I used Scrivener trial for Nanowrimo and felt good with the organising portion. However, I have also used the yWriter5 software which is completely free and has good features in it.


message 4: by Selena (new)

Selena I'm also trying to compare CreateSpace, FastPencil and the like. Any advice? I do have a CreateSpace account, but might get another. I'm a little leery of Lulu, but might change my mind. Why are there so many choices?


message 5: by Jessica (new)

Jessica (jessicalcozzi) Selena wrote: "I'm also trying to compare CreateSpace, FastPencil and the like. Any advice? I do have a CreateSpace account, but might get another. I'm a little leery of Lulu, but might change my mind. Why are th..."

I published my novel with CreateSpace and I was extremely satisfied with them...I'm planning on using them again for my next novel.


message 6: by Amanda (new)

Amanda Brenner (amandabrenner) Selena wrote: "I just won NaNo this year and am finally taking advantage of the goodies. One of them is a reduced subscription to Scrivener, a writing software. I have the trial version now, but I'm finding it ve..."

Congratulations on your win. It's quite an achievement.


message 7: by Jessica (new)

Jessica (jessicalcozzi) Yes, it does take a lot of work to win NaNoWriMo! I'm glad that I did too, though, and I'm really looking forward to NaNoWriMo 2014.


message 8: by Woolie (new)

Woolie Matthews | 15 comments 2 yrs in a row I started it. I have found that you need to be very good in time (anger? LOL) management. This year I took on another job and it really impeded my progress. I feel I have what it takes to complete Nano and get my project out there, but with 2 jobs and a family...time is precious as it is. Congrats to you guys for finishing. Maybe next year for me?

As for Scrivener. I took the trial. I just didn't have the time to make use of it for the month. Now, I have been asking writer friends (already paperback published) about their software...none use scrivener, and some still use Word. I was a little surprised. But...whatever works. The extra stuff I have looked into with scrivener have me really intrigued...may just go out and get the full copy.


message 9: by Woolie (new)

Woolie Matthews | 15 comments Would love to hear further updates on it as you use it Jessica.


message 10: by G (new)

G (gcunha) Though it isn't really as, uh, awesome, there's this free software I use to create concept maps that definitely help a lot with the world-building and general story-building too. In case anyone's interested, here it is!


message 11: by Selena (new)

Selena I need to stop playing with Aeon the timeline building software, I'm not getting any writing done. Oh cool! Thanks for the link G!


message 12: by Flawid (new)

Flawid (flawiddsouza) I use Mindmup for mind maps, the interface is so simplified. I use Excel to track my progress and other things. And I still use Word. It's basic, but it's alright. I used Scrivener once, really liked it. But now I'm back to using Word.


message 13: by Philip (new)

Philip (phenweb) | 75 comments Scrivener and Aeon for me plus spreadsheets and even word occasionally but scrivener has transformed how I write!


message 14: by Jessica (new)

Jessica (jessicalcozzi) I pretty much stick to word. I find it to be a lot easier :)


message 15: by Tara ♪ (new)

 Tara ♪ | 445 comments Me, too. I'm on a very low (by very, I mean it must be free or something that my family already pays for) budget, so word works just fine for me. I can always make spreadsheets and such for charts/tables, and if I want to make sure no one disturbs my work, it's very simple to password-protect a word document. :)


message 16: by [deleted user] (new)

Selena wrote: "I'm also trying to compare CreateSpace, FastPencil and the like. Any advice? I do have a CreateSpace account, but might get another. I'm a little leery of Lulu, but might change my mind. Why are th..."

I use CreateSpace. I haven’t tried others. If you’re happy with CreateSpace, my advice would be, why change? If you just want to get on other stages, so to speak, try one and keep CreateSpace too.
Just a suggestion.


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