Scrivener changed my life.
I realize that probably sounds dramatic, but it’s true. And to think that I only half paid attention to my sister’s raving reviews for months before she finally just bought me the app so I could see for myself.
Now that I use Scrivener for my writing, I’ll never go back to plain ol’ Microsoft Word.
Please note: This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase Scrivener using one of the links found here, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. And yes, I would absolutely and wholeheartedly recommend Scrivener even if I wasn’t an affiliate. 🙂 If you have any questions whatsoever about the product before or after you purchase, feel free to let me know!
In the video demo below, I’ll show you some of the reasons I love this program so much for everything from blog posts to full-length manuscripts.
Some of the many perks of using Scrivener for your writing (see demo video below):Â
- Once you buy it, you keep it for life. No ongoing subscription fees or hidden upgrade costs.
- You can keep all of your work related to a writing project in one place, including all of your research, notes, even website pages for reference
- It has endless organizational features to categorize and structure your writing project
- The many viewing options, such as the composition view that blocks out all distractions to help me focus, and the index card view that gives me a bird’s eye view of the project as a whole
- Customized word count goals
- The ease with which I can click back and forth between chapters without having to subject myself to the endless scroll of Microsoft Word
- You can split your screen to compare different chapters or documents side-by-side at the same time.
- I can easily see the word count of various sections in case I’m trying to make sure my chapters are similar lengths.
- And so much more! (Can you tell how much I love this program?)
See for yourself in this video demo:Â
(If the video doesn’t work for you, try clicking this link.)
[Tweet “#Writers: Check out this video demo of the #writing program, @ScrivenerApp!”]
Did you watch the video? Isn’t it amazing? And that’s only scratching the surface of this mine full of goodness.
I will admit that this program comes with a steep learning curve, but once you get a basic grasp of it, you won’t turn back. And if you really feel stuck and want to get some guided support, Joseph Michael is known as the Scrivener Expert.
Check out his course, Learn Scrivener Fast by clicking this link.
I’d love to hear what you think in the comments! Have you used this program in your own writing? If so, what have you loved about it?
RELATED POSTS:Â
Top Writing Tools for More Effective Writing
Perfect Gifts for Writers: 10 Ideas for the Writer in Your Life
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.Â
I switched to Scrivener last year and love it. It works great for my disjointed writing process.
Oh good! I’m so glad, Kim!
This looks great! One question though: does the file itself travel easily? For example, if I need to upload a paper onto a professor’s specified website, will they have trouble opening the file if they don’t own Scrivener? Or if I need to send a group project to classmates would it translate into Word for them to continue editing?
Great question, Melanie. That is one of Scrivener’s weaknesses … You would have to either export the file into a Word document (which is very possible), or copy and paste it into Word (also possible and not difficult). Unfortunately others cannot edit a Scrivener file without having Scrivener themselves. This has been one of the only things I don’t like about it, but for me, the perks far outweigh the cons. 🙂
I LOVE Scrivener, too. There’s so much to adore. One of my favorites is that I can write the chapter summaries as I go, view them separately (to make sure everything is flowing like it should), or even print them out separately for proposals!
Yes! (Also, I think if I were a fiction writer, I might even love it more than I already do, if that’s possible …) 😉
I used Scrivener on Windows but there is a steep learning curve. I now have a Mac and I’ve hesitated to buy it. I think I just need TIME to sit and learn.
That is true, Debbie! It does take a while to learn, but if you can find someone to sit with you for a bit while you get the hang of it, it will save you so much time in the long run! (At least, that has been my experience.) 😉 Thanks for reading and commenting!
Kate I am so glad you made this. I lost my Scrivener when my PC died but before I buy it again I for sure want to watch this all the way through. I have to go get my kids but I am leaving it up on my screen. I agree with Debbie, and am such a hands on learner so this video stuff is like gold to me! Thanks for your dedication!
I am considering buying and would like you to get the credit. The problem is the $40 link in the upper right isn’t working. If I go directly to the Scrivener site and click to purchase it works – but then you don’t get the affiliate commission. I sent an email to you, but I’m not sure you got it.
Hi Kate. I tried the affiliate links that you have on the page and when i clicked on the link of the page it sent me to, I got this: “Sorry, the eSellerate page you requested was not found. Some possible solutions follow.”
Not sure how to remedy this but if you can let me know, that would be great. I was going to download tonight to start the outline of my second book.
Hi Dawn. Thanks for letting me know. Someone else mentioned the same thing, and I can see the problem when I click as well. I’ll email the company to find out what’s going on. Apparently if you click the home page to purchase, it does work (I’m just not sure I would get the affiliate sale, but that’s fine). I’ll let you know when I hear back from them. Thank you!
Hi Dawn, I heard back from the Scrivener support team, and it turns out there was a glitch in my link.
Here are the correct links:
Scrivener for Windows:
http://get.esellerate.net/get/ALP404895636/default.htm?skuid=SKU82916413320&affid=AFL4674342238&at=
Scrivener for Mac:
http://get.esellerate.net/get/ALP877983468/default.htm?skuid=SKU81634174866&affid=AFL4674342238&at=
Thank you for your patience! Enjoy Scrivener!
Mahalo for the sharing what you love about using Scrivner. I learned a few tricks from your video, too, which I appreciate. I am starting to use it now, but haven’t discovered the full potential of the application.
I’ve just started using it. I’m still a beginner but I, too, will not go back to Word after using this. My favorite thing is that I can close the app and it automatically saves everything. I usually work in my car during my lunch hour and all I have to do is open my laptop. There is no internet connection required. It’s a worthy investment and so glad you told us about it. Thank you!
Thank for introducing this tool. I’ll have to put that on my wishlist for the near future.
Hi, Kate. I’ve never heard of Scrivener before and I love this concept!
Does Scrivener replace Keynotes, Numbers, and Pages? That would be awesome! Thanks for sharing this and I loved the video!
Hi Cindy ~ That’s a good question. I wouldn’t say that it replaces all of those programs necessarily, but it certainly does a lot! I primarily use it for writing and organizing my work, not for presentations or spreadsheets. Is that helpful?
Hi, Kate. I discovered Scrivener about a year ago and I feel I have barely scratched the surface of its features. I’m a beginning blogger and I love the idea that someday I can organize all my blog posts into a booklet for my children — another expression of my values and faith. Scrivener is making that possible.
I have no questions, just thanks for your super video. And thanks for creating the Five Minute Friday community.
You didn’t mention any grammar or spell check options. I am guessing that is a standard feature?
Hi Kate, I love the video. I did purchase it and started using it. Yes, a lot to learn and discover. My question is can I use it from PC to my Surface. I know with Word I save everything to One Drive and pick it up everywhere I go. That’s my big question… Thanks for the demo…
I bought Scrivener last year but hadn’t used it yet. I’m writing more now and look forward to using it both for blogs and book writing.
Scrivener is excellent. Do you have a template that you like for memoir or a non-fiction book?
I also like prowritingaid .. it is a huge step up from grammarly and has helped me write better.
Thanks for the tutorial, Kate! I’m wondering: are files backed up online? Is there a mobile app? Do editors/publishers like it? How easily does it sync with Word? Is spelling/grammar included?
Great questions, Amy! It is possible to export a document or file to Word, but at times the spacing is affected. Unfortunately it does not have a track changes feature (that I know of), so when it comes time to share with an editor or publisher for editing, I revert to Word. It’s fantastic for the early drafts, though, especially when it comes to organizing material, easily finding sections and going back and forth, and storing research and extra material. Files can be backed up within the program, but not online (as far as I know). The app store on my phone is showing that there is an app for $19.99, but I have never used it. Let me know if you have any other questions!