Monday, December 15, 2014

Project Tin: New Tool

As I mentioned before, I'll be using a new toolset this time around. For the Jute books, I used a combination of:

  • TextPad (wrote in textpad for nanowrimo)
  • MS Word (for the CreateSpace template)
  • Calibre (ebook conversion)
  • Hired out the cover art
This time, I'm replacing MS Word and Calibre with Scrivner. Or at least, that's the plan.

The chapters and scenes entered into Scrivner
Nanowrimo is a fairly large event and various companies offering software and services try to capitalize on its popularity by offering discounts and trials. I used the trial version of Scrivner and then decided to buy it via the 40% discount code "awarded" to nanowrimo entrants. (and probably everyone else on the planet).

I'm still going to need to hire out the cover work, but I'm hoping to just use one tool for creating the print and ebook formats. I wrote the original 50k word draft in TextPad for nanowrimo again, but I immediately put it into Scrivner.

I've only just begun with Scrivner. I've gone through the onboard tutorial and got my story in the tool (though I'm sure I'm already doing things wrong!). I'm not bothering with "character" sheets at the moment, but I might later on. This version of the novel is rough --there's a lot to do and fix.

And I'll outline some of those next time!
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5 comments:

  1. LeighDecember 21, 2014 at 3:49 AM

    Of course I had to go check this out immediately! Too bad they don't have a Linux version, but that's a common enough problem. Still, the software looks wonderfully useful. I confess to balking a bit at learning curves, though, because I worry they'll interfere with the creative flow once it gets going. Are you finding that to be the case?

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    1. badgerpendousDecember 22, 2014 at 9:58 PM

      The main issue I have is that I don't really need all the features, and there are so many! What usually happens is, I'll start using the tool one way and then figure out half way through that there's a better way, or that I'm not using the tool as it was designed. This happens with lots of software I use, so I'm used to it... ;)

      Mostly, though, I'm looking forward to the better ebook generation. Otherwise I'd stick with my old school editing tools I use to write technical documentation. I can make that stuff do just about anything. :)

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    2. LeighDecember 24, 2014 at 3:33 AM

      There's a lot to be said for familiarity and not having to tackle a steep learning curve. Learning Scribus DTP resulted in a lot of mistakes in my final text for 5 Acres & A Dream The Book. I suppose there is no one-size-fits-all perfect writing software because we all have different preferences! I kind of like <a href="http://zim-wiki.org/>Zim</a> for the writing and organizing part, but still have some issues with that too.

      A lot of eBook authors seem to like Sigil for the html part. I took a look but, again, was daunted by the learning curve. Sometimes I'd rather just write than fiddle with details. Not a good attitude, I suppose.

      Anyway, I'm guessing you'll be a pro at this in no time. :)

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    3. LeighDecember 24, 2014 at 3:34 AM

      Opps, forgot the other " for Zim's URL

      Delete
  2. badgerpendousDecember 22, 2014 at 9:58 PM

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