A writer and her tools.

Until recently, I hadn't given much thought to writing programs. Sure, I'd tried a couple of different free writing programs, but nothing grabbed me. I guess I've always been the kind of girl who figured as long as I had Microsoft Word and a notepad to scribble frantic notes in, I wouldn't need much else.

While I was competing in Nanowrimo this year, I discovered Scrivener. Someone from my Nanowrimo writing group suggested it and I thought what the hell?! I downloaded the free trial and played around with it, but still wasn't overly impressed. I was far more interested in writing my novel. I forgot all about Scrivener until yesterday.

Yesterday was the day where all Nanowrimo winners got their goodies. Included in the goodies pack was a discount on Scrivener. I contemplated whether or not to get it and weighed up the odds. Did I really need it? Then I thought, hey for $20 (with the discount) why not try it out anyway?

So I bought it, downloaded the program and installed it with my brand spanking new license. Can I just say oh my god! I don't know what I've been doing without this program.

Firstly, it allows you to get super-organised. In other words you can create projects for each novel or piece you are writing. Within these projects, you can add your chapters, your settings, your characters, your research and general notes. It's all about housing everything together to be all in one place at the click of your mouse. For someone who is anal retentive about organisation as I am, it's like I've died and gone to writers heaven.

The program allows you to navigate around your work. Instead writing in one lump of Text, you can split it up into Chapters. This way, if you know a chapter does not feel write, you can write a note to yourself within the program stating that the chapter needs fixing. You can label each piece of work for what it is - whether it is a chapter or a scene. It can also be labelled as first draft, second, final and so forth.

One of the best things about this program is the fact it allows you to work on any section of the novel you feel like. While with word documents, there is almost an underlying pressure on yourself to write from start to finish, Scrivener allows you the freedom to write whatever comes to mind. If you know how the novel is going to end, you can write this and then add it to your novel's folder. It allows you to drag the sections into any particular order, so eventually you can marry it all up.

Another aspect about this program that excited me was it has a research folder. All your research is at your fingertips. For me that's important. I tend to research, add it to the novel and forget about it. Or I delete it. This will allow me to have it altogether, use it as a reference point and essentially I won't have dig through document after document trying to find the correct research information. It's a handy tool and one I will abuse constantly while writing my novel.

Lastly, once the novel is finished it allows your format it, and then will compile it altogether.

Now, I'm not going to say I'm not going to use Microsoft Word to write my novel. I still will, but I am also going to use Scrivener. I'll write in word and then add my chapters later on. For now. Personally, once I manage to cut the Microsoft Word umbilical cord, I am not sure I will use anything else but Scrivener.

You're looking at one converted writer.

I'm curious though writers, what writing programs do you use if any and what's so fabulous about them?