Writing Tips for Fiction and Non-Fiction with Scrivener

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Tips on how to use Scrivener software for organizing, planning and writing fiction and non-fiction.
Plus my recommended training course for Scrivener, Learn Scrivener Fast

[JayBee]

Got here looking up Scrivener tips. Did I expect to become a fan of an author ? No. Yet a fan I have become. Love your great personality. Checking out your dark fantasy novels now.

[RoccosPlace]

I used to use Scrivener. I took a class in its use, got a book. Then I lost a project. I opened up a project I had been working on the night before and it was empty, 39, 000 words gone. Not to mention the whole outline. I went for the backup, which Scrivener has a convoluted way of storing and reinstating, and it was just a bare outline. I backup my files to a cloud service in case of a drive crash, but it was just a copy of what Scrivener called a backup. I contacted my instructor, got on the forums no one could tell me where my project had gone or what I did wrong. It was just gone. Since I do not know what if anything I did wrong I just do not trust Scrivener. But, I love Scrivener's features. So, now I write in FocusWriter or Bambo Paper and cut and paste it into Scrivener. So, I can still use the features I love but if Scrivener pulls another Houdini I have another copy. I also backup the FocusWriter to the cloud. I also cut and paste to OneNote as well, color me paranoid.

[KerrieRedgate]

Joanna! For a writer of devilish fiction, you are an ANGEL!!! Thank you so very much! I deeply appreciate this wonderful exposé you've given us here. I am presently cutting up a huge non-fiction research tome (of many years!) into a book series and have been frustrated by the limitations of most writing apps (I refuse to use Word, I am a veteran-survivor of the infamous super-buggy Word 6 from the 90s!). And Kindle formatting was beyond me. So you have really saved me here! I'm going to invest in Scrivener tonight! Thank you so very much for your generosity and terrifically genuine teaching style! I have bought some of your non-fiction books and am about to start reading those. Cheers from your old haunt, Australia!

[TrainerJames]

1:00 How to be a cuckold... I was not expecting to see that on this video. Thank you for the Scrivener advice!

[SoulScribbler]

For anyone coming here wondering why some of the features are not available to you: She is using Scrivener 2.0, which at the time of my post is still ONLY available on Mac. Windows users are still on 1.9, but I think 2.0 is (finally) right around the corner. MOST of the features are available on both, but a few will look/feel different, or be missing all together.

Great video, Joanna!

[daviddean]

Consider myself having written first novel and zero experience in marketing finding this: I am prepared and wary and hampered by a generous nature.

[crawfb]

You mentioned using Things to help you gather your notes and ideas. Any chance of doing a video about that? I use Things regularly and would be fascinated to know how you use its features to help your writing process.

[boredgrass]

I was under impression, that "literature and latte" vlog represents Scrivener. Because of their bad advice my question: Was my assumption wrong? Keep up the good work!

[kandirussell]

It's good to know that professional writers don't write in order either lol... Thanks for the video. This definitely seems like a good investment.

[rwdyer]

Gosh Joanna, I really wish I could just download (or upload, idk which) the content of your brain into mine regarding all things writing, marketing, publishing, etc etc. I want them to develop THAT app!!!

[alangold]

I am probably procrastinating but this excellent broadcast is foundation information so justifiable ++++

[philipchughes]

This is a great video, although I would suggest telling your audience what version of the program you are using. I Happened to have a older version 1.54 or something, and this did not have the features I see you use. I almost got frustrated and walked away.

[EricBright]

Thank you so much for these super useful tips.

[alisonsmith]

Didn't learn much about Scrivener in these 30+ minutes. Did get her promotion at the end about how to learn scrivener (paid) ...

[jerryh]

Informative video. Well worth watching -- even your promo tips!

[terriesmith]

Which is better....scrivener for Mac or Scrivener for Microsoft?

[DanceswithDustBunnies]

Just a footnote: Elsa Pataky is Chris Hemsworth's wife and an actress

[AngelaGGentile]

I am considering getting Scrivener. But I want to be able to use it on Mac and PC. So would I need both programs? Also, will I still need a copy editor? Great video thanks!!

[maggiepope]

I've just got the free trial, and I am confused as to what is a chapter. Are the Blue folders chapters, if not, what are they?

[theericbeaty]

So I'm confused. The video looks a bit dated, but it says it was published a couple days ago. However, all the comments are from a year ago or more. Not only that, but Scrivener 3 just released.