Try Scrivener for Mac, Window, and iOS
Ideal for long projects, Scrivener is an upgrade from Microsoft Word or Google Docs for authors who want to keep drafts, research, and writing all in one place. The benefit is that it is everything you need. The downside is that is can be complicated and getting setup correctly takes some time and patience.
Here are the key benefits of Scrivener for writers:
Organization & Structure
- Binder system lets you break your manuscript into chapters, scenes, or sections that can be easily rearranged by dragging and dropping
- Research folder keeps all your notes, character profiles, world-building details, and reference materials within the same project file
- Corkboard view displays your scenes as index cards, making it easy to visualize story structure and plot flow
- Outliner mode provides a hierarchical view of your entire project with customizable metadata columns
Writing Flexibility
- Compile feature combines all your separate sections into a properly formatted manuscript for submission or publishing, or just pull out a scene or chapter for review
- Split-screen editing allows you to view research notes, character sheets, or previous chapters while writing
- Distraction-free writing modes including full-screen composition and typewriter scrolling to maintain focus
- Multiple document formats supported within one project (text, PDFs, images, web pages, audio files)
Project Management
- Custom metadata tracking for word count goals, status labels, keywords, and progress indicators
- Target tracking with visual progress bars for daily word counts and project milestones
- Version control through document snapshots, letting you experiment with revisions without losing original text
- Collections feature creates smart folders that automatically gather related scenes or research based on your criteria
Professional Features
- Style formatting maintains consistent text appearance throughout your project
- Export options to multiple formats including Word, PDF, ePub, and plain text
- Backup system automatically saves project versions to prevent data loss
- Cross-platform sync between Mac, Windows, and iOS versions (with Dropbox integration)
Long-term Value
- One-time purchase rather than subscription pricing
- Extensive customization allows you to tailor the interface to your specific writing process
- Template library includes pre-built project structures for novels, screenplays, research papers, and more
- Active community with tutorials, forums, and third-party resources for learning advanced features
Scrivener is particularly valuable for authors working on complex projects like novels, non-fiction books, or academic works where keeping track of multiple elements, research sources, and structural components is essential for maintaining coherence and productivity.
