So… October 7th was my 3 year Blogaversary with WordPress. They went out of their way to get me a trophy badge and I not only failed to get them anything – again – but completely spaced on the date. I think this might be how divorces happen, I’m not sure. Of course, I’m surprised none of my social media accounts have kicked me to the curb yet with how little attention I’ve been giving them lately. To which, I don’t have any excuses…just a couple new addictions taking up my time. 😉
SCRIVENER, where have you been all my life? It wasn’t like I was hearing about this totally BOSS program everywhere I turned, but I started hearing about it enough that I decided to download their 30 day free trial… 😮 [cue the choir of angels and divine light shining down from the heavens]. I’m sure I’m not even getting the full array of features Scrivener has to offer with this trial, but what I am getting is organized for the first time in my writing career!
Alright, I admit it, I’m a complete Pantser. I have never, ever, not even once sat down and tried to plot out a book ahead of time. No outlines, character sheets, blah… that was time I spent actually writing the friggin’ book. The closest I came to any kind of ‘outline’ was when I participated in NaNoWriMo last year, but in all honesty, most of the outline was in my head, not written out. The idea had already been stewing in my brain long enough to have a ton of material to start with. Could I do it again that way? LOL Probably not. I think it was just beginner’s luck.
I’m also that rare breed of author who actually writes a book in chronological order, from beginning to end. I don’t write random scenes and then piece them together later. If I have an idea for a future scene, I create a “notes” document for that book and jot the idea down real quick, so I won’t forget it, then go back to writing the book… in order.
Awhile ago I tried to make character bios, but they just got lost in the ever-increasing mess of My Documents and it turned out to be a step that was too easy to forget about. But, with Scrivener everything is all in one place, in one project. All you have to do is click an icon and click back to writing, you’re not opening multiple windows or documents and trying to keep track of what’s what – which can just be frustrating and daunting.
If you want a hint at how amazingly simple and helpful these features can be, check out this short video on how the Character & Collections features work to help keep track of and manage all of those little tidbits of ideas that pop up while writing. Not to mention, it’s great inspiration to get your creative juices flowing.
I honestly don’t know how my muse will take to having the ability to write books in short scenes, but I’m almost excited to give it a shot. I’m sure a lot of Indie’s reading this are already well aware of Scrivener and I’m just late to the party, but in case you’ve been just as clueless as me all this time, do yourself a favor and check this program out. It’s 30 days with no commitments, no credit cards necessary. They won’t start billing you on day 31, it will just expire – but I think it would be well worth the inexpensive cost for all of the time and stress it could save in the long run.
I’ve gotten to the point in my career where I’m tackling far too many projects and contracted deadlines at once to keep flying by the seat of my Pants-er ways. I am so happy that a program like Scrivener exists – Oh, and if you do download the free trial, I highly recommend watching the 9 minute Quick Start tutorial narrated by the creator of the program. Not only is it easier to follow than reading the more extensive tutorial, but if you’re like me and have a weakness for men with accents… let me tell you, this guy should be narrating audio books! 😉
Wait… that’s only one new addiction. What’s my other one? It’s not necessarily brand new, but it’s becoming more addicting with each new book, and that’s creating the Teasers for my upcoming new releases. I’m actually contemplating the cost for PhotoShop to keep making my own book covers and graphics with, but in the meantime I’ve been hacking out the Teasers for Avarice Unforgiving in Canva – while jamming to my third new addiction: The entire Suicide Squad soundtrack.
♥ Have you hugged an Indie today? You should! Then you should share what you’ve been up to in the comments. Who’s all participating in NaNoWriMo this year???
A.C. Melody 
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