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Outlining is best done using the Corkboard in Scrivener Each to their own, but, when I start writing a novel, I like using Scrivener from the outset, for the outlining stage. I know other writers who start on paper and, only when they can see the whole plot, so they start setting up the structure, electronically. And there are other software tools, too. But for me, it’s Scrivener from start to finish! One scene...

Today's guest is Wayne Kelly I've been privileged to appear on his Joined Up Writing Podcast, talking about Scrivener and NaNoWriMo. Now, it's my turn to welcome Wayne to my world. How did you come across Scrivener in the first place? Back in 2012, I successfully completed Nano and received a discount code to purchase Scrivener. It was the first time I’d even heard of the software and I was immediately attracted to screenshots...

Time for casting! Choosing my favourite actors is one of the many pleasures of embarking on a new novel. I also enjoy 'inventing' each character. I give them names. I decide their hopes and dreams. Also, I identify their strengths and weaknesses. Every character needs a secret, and only I will decide what it is and if and when the other characters might discover it. Wonderful sense of power! How does Scrivener help with my casting? Unlike...

Time to set up a new Scrivener project for NaNo2018 Let’s start at the very beginning: setting up a new project file on Scrivener and deciding what our novel is about. Setting up a new Scrivener project file In this one file, everything that you need to write your NaNo2018 novel can be collected ahead of 1 November. You won’t write a single word of your manuscript until NaNo2018 officially starts, but you’ll...

I use Scrivener – for all my writing projects. Why? Because it makes me feel I am in control. Correction: I am in control! Why use Scrivener for NaNo2018?  A good question! There are four quick answers: Scrivener will make the planning of my novel, ahead of the first day of writing on, 1 November, easier. The planning that I do will make the writing during NaNo2018 a doddle. Enjoyable. An indulgence! Editing – beginning next February/March –...

Ready to Rock? NaNo2018 is only seven weeks away and this time will fly by, so – if you are keen to use Scrivener for NaNo2018 – now is the time to start learning how. What is NaNo? NaNo, short for NaNoWriMo, is the  National Novel Writers Month. Writers all over the world spend the 30 days of November writing the first 50K words of their novel. Some aim higher. 80K. 100K! The NaNoWriMo website doors are already...

What’s a ‘clean’ manuscript? By clean, I mean no typos (typographical errors): incorrect spellings, missing or misplaced punctuation … As well as reading it through, out loud preferably, you could use an editing tool such as ProWritingAid to polish your words. Or, there’s AutoCrit or Grammarly. By clean, I also mean well structured and formatted. Check out this post for more on that. Creating a clean manuscript: Fixing incorrect spellings Finding your own spelling mistakes is hard work. You need to...

Everyone needs an editing toolbox Yes, an editing toolbox.  You have your first draft. It's complete - now it's time to polish your words. Out comes the editing toolbox? What's in it? The editing toolbox You have three options. Learn how best to self-edit your manuscript Use (non-human) software tools Pay someone else to edit your manuscript Actually, I recommend you do all three. Let's consider them in reverse order ...