SOFTWARE: Scrivener

[BWolsk]

Barbara and Fellow AIWriters,

Thanks for asking about the software people on this list are using beyond the Microsoft/Adobe universe. I use Scrivener for articles and novel writing, and I used it to help me organize the content for my writing and quilting website, www.textislepatchwork.com.

Before I explain why Scrivener is helpful, I should warn PC users not to waste their time reading this because the downside of Scrivener is that it's a Mac application and currently only usable with the OS X operating system.

If you are a Mac user, here are six upsides to Scrivener. (I have no affiliation with the developer, but I'm so dependent on Scrivener now for my projects that if I ruled the world I would want everyone to get it so the developer can keep it in existence--luckily he has a loyal  customer base.):

1) Scrivener enables you to create virtual index cards on a virtual desktop. You can then click a few buttons to turn the notecards into outlines. If you write fiction, you can create all sorts of metadata like character names, scene locations, subplots in various colors to keep things straight visually as well as textually. I find it equally helpful for nonfiction.

2) It has a "binder" sidebar where I usually keep about 24 subdocuments, because that way I can circulate among subdocuments so much quickly than with my Word files, which take a few seconds to "whirr" as they open.

3) The interface is intuitive, and you can use it simply or delve into various functions. I'm not even sure what all the bells and whistles do, but they don't get in my way when I'm in minimalist mode.

4) It has a great search function--which is important when you've got about 24 subdocuments--I often forget where I left something, and it is easy to find with the search tool.

5) The tech support is reliable, including direct support from the developer--he must get by on 2 hours of sleep a night and he's a witty, nice guy.

6) They also have a huge user group/forum where people are eager to answer questions.

Here is the contact info:
http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.html

Best,
Becky Wolsk in NW DC
Text Isle Patchwork
www.textislepatchwork.com