#Writing scrivener windows how to
#Writing scrivener windows for mac
#Writing scrivener windows install
#Writing scrivener windows manual
#Writing scrivener windows full

The Editor is the important part in the middle, the blank page that you write in. To insert a comment, use the Format > Comment action in the Menu, click the Comment button in the Toolbar (after you add it to the Toolbar), or use the shortcut Shift+F4.Įxplore the other panes, Custom Meta-Data and Keywords, if you want to, but don’t worry about them too much. This is for leaving comments within your manuscript. I take snapshots at the end of each draft so that I have rollback points saved in case I screw something up, change my mind, or dislike the edits I made for whatever reason.įinally, here’s a screenshot of the Comments pane. This is a crucial tool for me during the revision process. Each document you create in Scrivener has a Synopsis and Notes section as pictured above. I also use the Document Notes section to take notes while I’m writing, as a kind of scene-specific scratch pad. I use the Synopsis pane to write a summary of the scene I’m working on, the Labels and Status to label and set the status of each file of a draft. In Notes, the first pane, I use everything. From left to right, these panes are named: Within the Inspector, you can switch between several panes using the buttons at the top of the Inspector area. Open and close it by clicking the Inspector button (the blue “i” in the circle) at the far right of the default Toolbar. The Inspector is the menu on the right hand side. Simply go to Tools > Customize Toolbars > Main Toolbar to check out the additional buttons and options. The screenshot above is the default configuration on Windows, but you can customize the Toolbar by adding and removing buttons. The Toolbar is the gray bar across the top of the program where common actions are located. The Binder is one of Scrivener’s greatest advantages over other word processing software because it allows you to quickly and easily jump between sections of your manuscript, research, and other folders with scene-level granularity. The structure pictured above is what you will see if you open a new project using the novel template that comes with Scrivener. While most new projects give you a basic Binder structure to start with, it is completely customizable. Its job is to contain all of the documents and folders in your project. The Binder is the left-most area of the interface.

#Writing scrivener windows manual

Find this by going to Help > Scrivener Manual in the Menu. If you can’t figure out what an action does, there’s a handy (but dense) Scrivener Manual that you can search. I like to spend some time with any new piece of software familiarizing myself with the Menus because they’re always different, and always very powerful.ĭon’t just look at the actions, but try to perform each one.

#Writing scrivener windows full

The Menu is where you can find a full list of actions and functions, whether that’s adding links and images to documents, printing, compiling, formatting, etc. You’ll see an identical screen if you are following along. This is what a blank new project in Scrivener looks like.

#Writing scrivener windows how to

I’ll talk more about templates and teach you how to create your own when I introduce my No Nonsense Novel Template later on. From here, you can create a blank project, start a project based on an existing template, or open a recent project.įor now, open a blank project to follow along.

The first screen you’ll see when you open Scrivener is Project Templates. If you’re on a Mac, jump over to the Mac version of the tutorial. This is the Windows tutorial, and uses screenshots on the Windows 10 operating system.

#Writing scrivener windows for mac

One more note before we get to the walkthrough: For the most part, the functionality of Scrivener for Mac and Scrivener for Windows is comparable, but there are a few notable differences. Take advantage of the thirty-day free trial or buy the program for a one-time fee of $49.

#Writing scrivener windows install

In order to get the most out of this book, download and install Scrivener on your computer and follow along as we explore the program.Ĭlick here to download Scrivener for Windows. In this Scrivener for Windows tutorial, I’m going to walk you through the important pieces of the interface, their names, and what each one is used for right now. People find it difficult to get used to new software, so they give up before they even get started.ĭon’t worry. In the Scrivener walkthroughs and workshops I’ve done, one of the most common complaints from new users is that the interface is confusing and overwhelming. (For the Mac version of this tutorial, click here.) By Matt Herron | Leave a Comment Familiarizing Yourself with the Program