For Mac users, the latest release of Scrivener is out. The list of updates is very long, none of which will change your (writing) life, but are, nevertheless impressive in a .X release.

Steve Z.

A colleague of mine, who is also working in the lab and writes papers for publications in journals like Journal of Neuroscience, recommended Scrivener as a replacement for Microsoft Word. Having read lots of laudatory comments about the program here, I decided to take the plunge. I now have Scrivener on my Mac.

A question: what's the best way to learn the ins and outs and intricacies of this program? I note that there are several books up on Amazon, any of them worthwhile? How about forums? I also assume that I can just start using it like any other word processor, but that seems to kind of miss the point. If I am just using it as a replacement for Word, without exploring some of the interesting and novel aspects of the program, then it seems like I am missing things that might be important.

So, what's the best way for a newbie to get started?

Jim

Hi Jim.

The best way to start is the tutorial that comes with Scrivener.

Franz

The Scrivener forums at Literature & Latte also comprise a very useful resource if you're puzzled about how to do something. There are how-to videos on the L&L website, too. And finally the software comes with a comprehensive manual; it's too long and detailed to be read cover-to-cover, but suitable for reference when you have specific questions.

And any of the books are also pretty helpful. I've read or skimmed most of them, and I haven't found a weak one yet.

Incidentally, Scrivener isn't really a word processor, in the traditional sense of 'software which lays out pages'. It will lay out simple pages, but the truth is that Scrivener is about filling the gap between the ideas in your head and long-form drafting on the page. Scrivener is about getting ideas, their expression and their order right (and incidentally, secure), especially in the drafting of long-form items such as theses, academic reports and, of course, novels. It regards precise formatting and layout as stages that can come later (rightly in my view), using Scrivener or a more precisely suited piece of software.

My three-year old review (has it been that long?!) on Mac Appstorm will give you some idea bout the fancier features of Scrivener:

http://mac.appstorm.net/reviews/office-review/take-control-of-your-writing-with-scrivener-2-0/

Hugh and Franz have given you good suggestions. The Scrivener for Dummies book seems to have the endorsement of the folks at Literature & Latte. Also, you may find some interesting hints at David Hewson's blog. He's a novelist, who blogs about how to use Scrivener. Yes, he mostly writes posts about how to use Scrivener for novel writing, but I would bet a lot of his hints have universal application.

http://davidhewson.com/tag/scrivener/

You made a good choice. I'm sure you will enjoy using this fabulous app.

Steve Z.

David Hewson also wrote a good How-to on Scrivener from the POV of a writer. Available as an e-book from Amazon.