First, I just discovered this in Scrivener (I’m a jump-in-and-use-it, figure-it-out-as-I-go software user, so it always takes me a while to figure out the full capabilities of a new piece of software).
This is the Project Targets window, which allows me to see not only the wordcount for my complete document, but also how far I am on my way to my word goal for the day.
Since the document window itself lets me see the wordcount for each section I’m working on, I’m able to tell whether I’m running short or long on each tool I’m working out while still knowing how I’m doing overall. It’s wonderful.
Also wonderful—your comments about plotting, both in the Time for your stories thread, and in your comments on the intro. You’ve managed to remind me of things I’d overlooked in outlining the book, and it will have some new sections and new material because of this. Thank you.
If your plot issues haven’t been addressed by anyone yet, please write them down. I may have already planned to cover them, but maybe not.
In Scrivener, select two or more documents in the Binder. Click the Edit Scrivenings button. Watch all the documents you selected magically merge into one for your convenience.
I’m with Holly. Scrivener justifies the Mac switch all by itself.
Thanks, Holly, for giving me one more reason why I should be drooling over a Mac right now. :p
If you’re still looking for things to address in the plot clinic, one of the problems I have is knowing who to have narrate a scene when I have multiple narrators. I’m not sure if this is something that other people do as well, but I look at narrators while plotting, and often get discouraged by a lack of balance.
Holly:
I’ve searched help and tried the tutorial, but have still come up blank, so maybe you can answer my number-one question about Scrivener:
What is a scrivening?!
I now know how to edit them, but not what they are!
Jason–I’ll get to the review eventually. Probably after Plot Clinic is done. 😀
I have looked at a few tips on how to plot… there was one method known as the “snowflake” method as developed by Randy Ingermanson. It was quite an interesting way to develop plot, I think. I’ve not tried it myself, though.
I am at the stage with my plotting that I am just about to start but I just don’t know where or how to start the journey. It is my first novel so I am open to try any technique to get some experience of plotting.
I confess, it doesn’t help to also be revising on my university exams at the same time… my muse mugged me, not the other way around. Damn thing. hehe 🙂
Scrivener is one of the main reasons I’m considering a Mac Mini (not going to replace my Windows box or my Linux box, but I’ve got a free port on the KVM, so why not?)
Holly, are you going to do a more detailed review of Scrivener?
I came over to the Mac because I grew weary of viruses, data loss, and system crashes, and in the years I’ve been using Macs, OSX and the very nice iMac hardware haven’t let me down yet.
But if Scrivener only existed for Windows, I’d seriously consider going back to a PC just for it. The program is that good. And I’ve still barely brushed the surface of what it can do.
Scrivener looks absolutely wonderful, and is a reason why I’m seriously considering moving over to a Mac.