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The Cottage Hotel, Hope Cove

I’ve just returned from a weekend at the Cottage Hotel, Hope Cove.

As you can see, the view across the beach and out to sea is spectacular. And the cream tea on the balcony gives a hint about the style of catering on offer at this wonderful hotel.

About ten minutes drive from my home in Salcombe, it’s one of my favourite places: the view, the sunsets and, when we eat there, the dessert trolley …

Why was I at the Cottage Hotel this past weekend?

Patsy Collins (the romantic novelist and short story writer) and I were co-hosting a Writers’ Workshop Weekend.

During the day, ten intrepid writers enjoyed quality time together, making progress on their writing journeys. In the evenings, we enjoyed a sumptuous dinner and the company of a few of the partners who came along too for the weekend and had spent their day exploring the local sites or relaxing.

To be honest, the weather wasn’t wonderful on Friday or Saturday morning. It was what we affectionately call a white-out – quite spooky but perfect for staying indoors and learning how to write, how to edit and much, much more.

Saturday afternoon, though, the sun came out and some of the writing exercises were done outside.

By the end of Sunday afternoon, when we’d almost completed the course material, the inevitable question was raised: Can you give us a quick demonstration of Scrivener?

A quick demonstration of Scrivener!

Those of you who have attended my Simply Scrivener Special webinars know full well that there is no such thing as a quick demonstration of Scrivener. It’s such a powerful tool; there are so many features … But, with a projector linked to my laptop, I presented a 15-minute whistle-stop tour of one Scrivener project.

The half dozen or so who stayed for this impromptu demonstration had never used Scrivener before. The Binder, the Editing Pane, the Inspector – one by one I explained their purpose. Briefly!

And then the eureka moment. I split the Editing pane and scrolled down past the folders into the Research area and opened up a character sketch.

It was as if I’d pulled a rabbit out of the magician’s hat. And, not content with this trick, I then opened a setting sketch instead.

I’d explained earlier in the weekend that I usually write dialogue first as that’s what I hear my characters sharing. I worry about settings etc later. And then showed how I can take real facts about a location, build a setting sketch and apply that ‘colour’ to my scenes.

Job done! Converts …

Never used a setting sketch?

Check out this blog post. It explains all.

Simply Scrivener Specials

To see me demonstrate how to create a setting sketch, or if you need to ask any questions about Scrivener, book a Simply Scrivener Special.

To help me to prepare, you might also complete this short questionnaire.

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