Tag Archive - Scrivener

Scrivener for Windows

November 13, 2010 in Technology with 3 Comments

When I received word the beta version for Scrivener for Windows was available, I thought, Oh god no.

I have this horrible habit of testing and sometimes purchasing various writing software. For the longest time I used Liquid Story Binder. It was best for my purposes and I felt it offer similar features as Scrivener. I do not have a Mac. I had no plans of buying a Mac unless my current computers died. Even then, I have years of work archived on a Window environment. The thought of converting all those files to a new system just wasn’t appealing. Also, LSB is a good program but complex, at times a little wonky. Nothing dramatic and I have never lost a file. The developer is awfully nice and he tries to satisfy the users adopting some of their doable suggestions.

I yearned to try Scrivener like many folks out there on the net. Had been drooling over this software for years. So I downloaded the software. Let it rest on my computer for a few days. Then loaded it up and went through the tutorial.

Scrivener is a beautiful piece of writing software. Using it is logical and flexible, allowing the writer to setup their own structure, whether it’s in the form of Acts, Chapters, and/or scenes. You really don’t have to label the structure but write as much text as you want under a specific title. Scrivener is feature rich with automatic setup for Drafts, Research, and the ability to establish as many folders as necessary. There’s a place to record a synopsis for the titled text. This Synopsis turns into an index card when you select the corkboard option. The program also offers a General section for labeling text and a Document section to record notes. Three views are available for viewing your text, Outline, Corkboard (index card,) and Text.

Since I’m a visual person, the best feature for me is ability to view an image as I write. This is done by splitting the screen either vertically or horizontally. One part can serve to refer to images, research data, or another piece of writing to help with continuity in your story. If you want to write without distraction, go full screen and let the background fade to black.

For more information about the Windows version of Scrivener, check out this link. And no, I don’t have any financial stake in this software. I just love sharing good things.

Scrivener for Windows

Writing Software – Liquid Story Binder

October 12, 2009 in Technology with 0 Comments

Scrivener. I drool like a newborn baby every single time the name Scrivener come within eyesight. I’m talking about the writing program. Makes me want to jump PC ship and join Mac world. I even torture myself by going to the developer’s website and pray, maybe the developer has relented and built a window version for us PC users. No such luck.

This weekend I gave serious attention test driving various writing software searching for the perfect substitute for Scrivener. Let me tell you. Few writing programs match the functionality of Scrivener. But, there is one that comes very close – Liquid Story Binder.

The program has been on my desktop for a while. Using what I know about the file management, I set out to create a writing environment similar to Scrivener. I bind my chapters, research builder, storyboard, and a listing of files as a hierarchy tree. Fire up LSB and these files load up organized and accessible on screen. Any files not part of the initial load is one click away.

The key to LSB is structuring with the tools, File Listings, Layouts, and Workspaces. Going through the process demystifies LSB and as such, I love working with the program.

Next: How I made LSB work for me.