Features:

  • Corkboard - In Scrivener, every document is attached to a virtual index card onto which you can jot a synopsis; moving the cards on Scrivener’s corkboard rearranges their associated text in your draft.
  • Outliner - View and edit the synopses and meta-data of your documents in Scrivener’s powerful outliner. Organise your ideas using as many or few levels as you want and drag and drop to restructure your work.
  • Scrivenings - Scrivener’s innovative “Scrivenings” mode allows you to move smoothly between editing your document one piece at a time or together as a whole.
  • Statistics and Targets - A live word and character count of the current section is always in view at the bottom of the screen, and you can set a word or character count target for each section.
  • Full-Screen - Because sometimes you want to blank out the rest of the world while you write - or at least the rest of the screen. One click in Scrivener’s toolbar and you can leave the rest of your desktop behind and write distraction free.
Excellent novel organization.

I purchased this software to help with novel document organization. This software is extremely helpful with lots of useful functionality specifically built in to help you organize and compile your work. The value of this program for such a low cost is impressive. First item of note: You can download Scrivener and try it for yourself for free for 30 days of **actual use**. In other words, if you use it every day it lasts 30 days; if you use it only two days a week, it lasts fifteen weeks. Before the trial expires, you can export all of your work or buy a licence to continue using Scrivener. Just google "Scrivener Free Trial" and you can get it straight from Literature and Latte's homepage. I would highly recommend taking advantage of this, since you can take your time and go through their very extensive and thorough walkthrough of the software and its features (it took hours to go through), as well as start your own project to see if you like how it is organised. It's what convinced me to buy it. The software: The program is fantastic. Everything you need to organize and write a novel is included in the functionality of the program. You can keep all of your material (outlines, research, websites, images, ideas, etc.) in one place. It's sort of like OneNote on steroids and exclusively designed for the novelist. There are a blindingly vast amount of features in this program, so I won't even try to describe them all here, but you can learn about them in your free trial. The software is designed for you to work in chunks - scenes, acts, chapters, whatever you want. For me personally, I have my novel separated out in "Acts" and major events, with scenes and chapters underneath. You can view individual scenes/chapters/whatever or look at your novel as a whole. You can start anywhere you want, write a scene at the end and work your way to the beginning, etc. You can also rearrange these scenes and chapters in any order you want easily if you decide you don't like where they are - it's drag-and-drop. My favorite features: Corkboard - Every document is attached to a virtual index card onto which you can jot a synopsis. Moving the cards on Scrivener’s corkboard rearranges their associated text in your draft. This is excellent when you need to rearrange scenes or plot pieces or chapters or whatever. Statistics and Targets - A live word and character count of the current section is always in view at the bottom of the screen, and you can set a word or character count target for each section. Full-Screen - One click in Scrivener’s toolbar and your document goes full screen so you can leave the rest of your desktop behind and write distraction free. This is especially great for helping you keep your hands off of the internet. Templates - You can create a character, setting, etc template and each time you want to create a new character sheet you just create from your template. Tags, colors, and icons - You can tag your work or color coordinate it. I use this for separating out my POV character scenes. Custom Search - You can save a custom search that will automatically update as you write more. This is great for saving a search for that one word/phrase/etc that you repeat over and over again and want to seek-and-destroy. Tips - You can save your Scrivener to DropBox so that you can access your project from any computer you have Scrivener and DropBox on. If you have access to DropBox but not Scrivener somewhere (i.e. work or your sister's house) you can always save what you're working on into another format, such as MS Word. I personally use Word to save off chapters because I like their editing features better, and I can submit chapters to my writer's group for them to redline with their critiques. I can also open Word documents on my iPad or mobile phone or whatever else and edit them at my mom's house or randomly in my car at the movies. Additionally, EverNote is a great platform for you to scribble down ideas and research wherever you are (including your mobile phone or tablet) to transfer to your Scrivener later.

A Robust Organizational Tool for Writers; Negative Reviews are Unjustified

First, notice that the negative reviews on here are mostly due to (1) a user being "unable" to register Scrivener, and/or (2) a user being confused by the product itself and not understanding how to use it. Both are unjustified, and I'll briefly explain why. The registration and activation is easy, but you can't just download it directly from Amazon like you would some other digital products. Others' confusion comes when they don't read the instructions and simply try to download it directly. Not surprisingly, a failure to follow instructions doesn't lead to the desired result. Solution: When you purchase the program from Amazon, after a minute or two for processing, you will see in your Amazon digital library (where all of your past digital orders are located) the Scrivener product listed there. There will be your registration number and a link right there that says "How to Redeem this Item." Click on that. A dialogue window will open up (like a new web window) with specific instructions to go to a website and enter the registration number. So, go there. Paste in the registration number. Then, you will be prompted to enter your name, address, email, etc. Then you'll get a license activation code. ... That is the code you'll enter into the program itself for your activation. How? Well, you should have already downloaded the 30-day trial version. For each startup, it prompts you to either continue your trial or register the product. Again, not a shocker, but when it asks this question and you now have the license activation code, click on register and enter your license name (the name you used when you got your activation code) and then paste in the code EXACTLY as it appears. It's easy to make a mistake here using copy/paste, so double-check to make sure it copied all of the code and didn't drop off the first letter/number. When you submit that, give it a minute and voila! Your Scrivener product is now registered. It took me less than 3 minutes to do all of this, and I'm not an IT guy. All it requires is reading the instructions. So, the people who are screaming they can't register the product are not reading the instructions and probably the same people who can't write a novel anyway. Leaving a negative review because of user ineptitude is just inconsiderate and irresponsible. Second, there are complaints about Scrivener support from the Literature and Latte website. Folks, the people you are complaining about have left you with a very detailed tutorial. Again, it requires reading. If you can't focus enough to read the tutorial, then why are you purchasing a program to write a book? Worse, why would you publicly flag yourself as a person who can't follow the tutorial? ... Anyhow, there is a tutorial that is worth reading, following, and then reading again. In addition, there are some really great visual tutorials online (YouTube) from Literature and Latte and some other helpful souls, if you're a visual/audio learner. I have found these to be great supplements to the written tutorial. Take advantage of these, and you will not be sorry. Once more, leaving a negative review for a product because you can't figure it out is really just unjustified if you have not taken the time to really learn about the product. Scrivener is a robust program. It contains so many features for a novelist, screenwriter, or any author of a small to large writing project. It is an organizational tool for writers. It will not write the book, screenplay, or writing project for you. You will not suddenly become a writer if you start using this program. Scrivener is for existing writers who juggle dozens of characters, locations, plots and subplots all at once and realize that Word just isn't going to cut it for them. Even several years after its initial release, the Windows version 1 program is useful and not dated at all. I am using it on Windows 10 with no issues at all. In fact, I am about ready to complete this review and get back to my morning session of writing. I was compelled, however, to write this review to reassure any writers out there that this program is definitely worth it and definitely what you are looking for in terms of keeping your projects organized so you spend more time writing and creating great work. For specific details on the features, please see the product description, or, better yet, download the trial version from Literature and Latte directly and go through the tutorial. It's worth the read and the time you put into it.

My favorite piece of software ever (at least presently)

I have scrivener for windows and my iPhone. Those of you who are still trying to hash out intricate stories on basic word processors are missing out on the best software around for novelists. Scrivener makes it very easy to organize your work. You can work on chapters, scenes, and or diolagues as you wish and reorder your work very easily whenever you choose. Again it's the best software out there for authors, and it's still being updated and improved. They are also generous enough to allow you to install Scrivener on multiple computers if you are like me and go back and forth between your laptop and desktop. The mobile app was obviously a separate purchase but well worth it. Between persona and scrivener I've been averaging between 2-4,000 words a day and I'm accomplishing that in 2-3 hours. It truly helps remove the chaos from your creativity. This is your priority software if you are a writer or an aspiring writer. It really adds joy to the process.

Love it, excited to use it but it's a ...

Love it, excited to use it but it's a pain in the ass to download and register at least for me. So for those having trouble you have to hit go into your email and hit redeem product. Then it should bring up a box with the activation code, which you should receive in an email. Type in exactly as shown, this is case sensitive. Eventually you'll come to one that says register if done correctly, it should say registration successful or something along those lines. Also hold onto the activation code you will need it later.

TRY IT YOU"LL LIKE IT

I highly recommend this writing program. I write stories and I have always used MS word. It was when my editor and I mat for a one on one that I found out about Scrivener. It is a must have if you write but it will take a little time to get to know it. But once you get used to it the time you will save and the things it and you can do well I believe will surprised and please you a great deal. The price back in the day was excellent and I don’t really know what it’s going for now but back then MS couldn’t come close to it. Hundreds less as I think I prayed 40 or $50 for it and the things it can do is awesome. Anyway it worked for me… HAPPY WRITING

Perfect for anyone writing books

I have always written using Microsoft Word and while I still use that for shorter pieces or articles, I am using Scrivener 100% for my books. Honestly, there is so much to like about this and it makes creating a book a snap (other than the writing, which is still work). You can move things around, add "post-it notes" as a reminder to keep everything in line, and it just makes keeping everything organized and keeping track of all characters, events, and possible plot holes easy. I would recommend this to ALL novel writers.

I have had better luck, however

I have a lot of learning to do about what all this program will do but so far I'm loving it. I have had better luck, however, with getting some tutorials from YouTube than from the tutorial that's included. The user manual is long, but when we had to transfer the program over to a new computer the manual walked us right through the process. I really like the cork board function for plotting scenes. This feature makes it easy to move scenes around and brainstorm as you write. I LOVE the word count tool that lets you set a writing goal while also keeping track of your overall word count!! Definitely a good purchase for someone serious about writing.

Amazing software, must buy for writers

This is the perfect writing software for authors! there are honestly so many wonderful features, but the following are my favorites: - I LOVE being able to keep all of my ideas and background stories in well-organized folders while also staying in the same project as my manuscript! - When I fire up the program is brings me exactly where I exited. - The Customization options are plentiful! You can change the icons, change the colors of the folders, change the colors of pretty much anything if you want to... it has all of the useful features of Word so the actual writing doesn't feel any worse. - I can go into full screen distraction free mode which his helpful. It has a lot of customization! (screen shot provided - the bar at the bottom goes away when your mouse isn't on it) - There are so many tools that I honestly haven't even delved into them all. There's a tagging/keywords system (for my uses I put all minor characters as keywords in the chapters they appear in so if I then want to find what chapters they appear in later on it's very easy), there's a way to put references right into your document (handy for term papers, college students), also internal references (I like to make a page for all my locations and then reference it in the chapter is appears in). It has a convenient spot for footnotes and comments. You can make project notes that appear no matter what page you look at, and also single page only notes. You can add pictures easily into the document/chapter itself OR as a reference picture (you can see what I'm talking about on the far right tool in my screenshot I posted - you can also change it into a notecard and write a synopsis). - I LOVE the split screen capabilities! I'll provide a screenshot for how my windows look as I write. It's so nice to be able to write and also have a second window up for my notes. - But one of the best features is the Snapshot function! It makes the editing phases really nice for me. What it does is saves the page exactly how it is at that moment, then you can make sweeping changes and snapshot that (I rename my snapshots for clarification) and go back and reread the original. This is handy to have all the versions of that chapter/scene that I've worked on. - Template sheets! They make it so easy to plan out my novel. I set up a folder for blank templates and then when I want to make a new Character Sheet I can just go to Project > New From Template (select template) and then fill it out. - When you move items to trash they are not permanently deleted. So if you aren't 100% sure you want to delete something, don't worry. You have to understand that I used to only use Word, which was a jumbled mess of ideas. Now I can spread out and have everything extremely organized. It has changed my writing life forever! Note: The compile feature makes it so you can easily filter out your notes and make your finished manuscript into any format you want. You can literally put every single novel related thing you could ever imagine you'd want or need into one easy project.

Highly Recommended to Writers of all Stripes

I couldn't be happier with Scrivener. My writing style skews to the disorganized end of the spectrum, and Scrivener helps me manually adjust for that. With the help of this program, I've become more of a planner. I've been able to set the bones of my story or article and plug in the details like a champ. The cork board staging area is great, and having all your scenes or article sections laid out before you is a wonderfully freeing thing. No longer do I have to scroll through huge documents or Ctrl+f to find out where I wrote some minor detail. Now, it's all just right in front of me. There are so many awesome features of this program. I love the fact that my research integrates seamlessly into the interface. I can write summaries, take notes, post pictures, links, or other supplemental material right on the borders and refer to it as I write. It's amazingly helpful. No more keeping a zillion tabs and programs open and trying to keep track of it all, because it's all right there. I really enjoy having everything consolidated and organized right in one spot. And if I hit a stretch where I need to focus solely on the writing without procrastinating by reading through my notes forever, I can black out the background and see nothing on the screen accept what I'm writing. I like that feature too. And sure, lots of writing programs have that, but Scrivener has a one-up on them, because while in this viewing mode you can still navigate to other sections of your project. You just hover your mouse toward the bottom of the screen, and navigate via a menu bar that appears below. I would honestly recommend this to any writer. Whether you write fiction, nonfiction, or poetry, Scrivener can probably help you do it better.

Possibly the best program I've bought.....ever

Just can't say enough about Scrivener. 6 stars if it were possible. My wife and I are both writing novels in Scrivener. The program is just fantastic. Everything you need to organize, research and write a novel is included in the functionality of the program and doing so gets all your materials, ideas, outlines, text, etc., in one place. I could spend hours describing the cool features in Scrivener which boost creativity and productivity. The program is simply amazing, and the value per dollar for this relatively inexpensive program is off the rails. The thing to understand about Scrivener is that it's a chunk-based writing system. It's for people who write in chunks, or scenes, which is, actually, most people. Unlike a linear program such as Microsoft Word, in which you start typing and then keep going until you get to the end of the work, in Scrivener, you can work on little (or big) chunks of stuff, separately. There are several key advantages of this approach. You can work on stuff in any order - if you have a cool idea for a chapter that isn't coming up for 300 more pages, you can just go work on it while the idea's fresh, and then it'll just sit in its spot, wherever you have it placed in your outline. It also allows you to move stuff around easily. For instance, if you've written 20 scenes, and decide that scene 12 should really be the first scene, you can just drag it to the beginning. You can combine multiple scenes into one, or split a scene up into multiple scenes and then move them around. So, it's kind of a modular approach to writing a long document. Scrivener has an absolutely amazing "corkboard" mode, where each scene gets pinned to a virtual index card, which can then be labeled (with a scene description, a title, etc.). In corkboard mode, you can move the index cards around at will - and the text pinned to the cards moves around with them. In this way, you can quickly reorganize and restructure entire chapters or the whole book from a high-level outlining view; then, at any time, you can click on an index card and dive back into the scene's text. It's very flexible, fast, and helpful. I am not one of the "Scrivener OR Word" crowd -- people who feel strongly that one or the other is better. I like to use both programs together. Scrivener is my master folder for a book project. All of my notes, research documents, web pages, index cards in the outline, and written text are stored in Scrivener. However, sometimes I take an individual scene and work on it in Word. A Word document can be easily saved and edited in Dropbox, enabling easy portability for scene-development across multiple computers. When done with the scene in Word, I drag the text into Scrivener. Personally, I like Word a lot; its word processor is better than Scrivener's and it has plenty of features and refinements which reflect its twenty years of dominance in its category. What it doesn't have is the outlining tools and chunk-based paradigm of Scrivener, which I consider indispensable. I see no reason to choose between the two; they both do what they do extremely well. In addition to individual scene development, I like to use Word to format final output. Scrivener does not offer the same refined control over print output as Word does (not yet, anyway). Basically, when I have to print something, I output from Scrivener to a Word document, open it up in Word, and play around with the formatting until it has the look I want (pagination, headers and footers, etc.). Scrivener is a very unique writing tool which is intuitively and cleverly organized around how the creative writing process actually works for most people -- in a non-linear, non-sequential manner, with more flexibility than the traditional word processor paradigm. I highly recommend checking it out if you are working on a long writing project. UPDATE August 10, 2012: I recently decided that it would be better to use Scrivener for organizing, outlining and writing, but to have another tool with better "clipping" functionality for web-based research. After much evaluation of different tools and hand-wringing, I ended up going with Evernote (premium--the paid version, $45 per year). These two programs together - Scrivener and Evernote - are truly the BOMB for research-based writing. Highly recommend looking into these two tools together as a package if you're doing heavy research-based writing.

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