Scrivener is a popular writing app designed to help writers organize and manage their projects. While certainly not free, using Scrivener has immense advantages, including powerful organizational tools and a distraction-free writing space. I have used Scrivener for the last four years to write my two novels, so I am well-versed in its workings. Therefore, I have compiled a list of my top 5 features you need to know of! *Note: This post is not sponsored by Scrivener, all views are my own.
Page View
One of my favorite Scrivener elements is Page View. Page View mimics the appearance of a printed page, allowing you to see what your writing would look like as a final document. I love writing in Page View as seeing my words expand over literal pages is always inspiring. In general, Page View is great for visually oriented writers who want to ensure their writing flows well on the page, keeping line and paragraph breaks in mind. It also provides a sense of accomplishment, as you can "see" your progress in pages instead of just word count.
Composition Mode
Scrivener's Composition Mode is another one of my favorite features. Located in the top right corner, Composition Mode (Compose) removes distractions by only displaying your writing on the screen, creating a minimalist writing environment. Rather than having your notes, images, font selections, and word trackers surrounding your writing, Composition Mode makes it so only the text is visible. This is extremely helpful as it makes it easier for you to focus deeply on writing and eliminates the temptation to check notifications or mess with the formatting. Plus, you can customize the background!
Word Targets
Word Targets are another helpful Scrivener tool. They allow you to set and track your writing goals either for a single session or an entire project. The feature is also beneficial as it visually shows your writing progress with a bar or percentage, motivating you to meet your daily or overall targets. Overall, this is particularly helpful for structured projects like articles, essays, or novels as it keeps you on track to meet those deadlines.
Notes
The Notes section on the right side of your writing space is perfect for jotting down ideas, research, or reminders directly alongside your manuscript. Whether it's a character's backstory, a plot point, or article references, Notes keep everything in one place, reducing the need for external tools. I leave summaries in the Notes sections of my chapters to help me remember what each chapter is about. This ensures that both my creative and practical thoughts are easily accessible when I'm writing.
Snapshots
Last, but certainly not least are Snapshots. Snapshots are another one of Scrivener's genius features. A Snapshop lets you save a version of your writing before making major edits, ensuring you can revert to the earlier drafts if needed. This is incredibly useful as it allows you to experiment with changes without fear of losing your original work. I have used the Snapshot feature many times when refining my text through multiple drafts or exploring different fonts.
Each of the Scrivener features above supports different aspects of your writing process from focus, organization, progress tracking, experimentation, and idea management. This versatility makes Scrivener an invaluable tool for writers and one of my favorite resources.
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