My first photography book is almost here…
Ever since I started theLightMatters I’ve wanted to write a book. Trouble is I’ve never been able too start. Every time I start a blank document in Word and start to type I find I end up distracting myself with styles, paragraph formats and making it look pretty. In fact, I do everything but write the damned book. Needless to say I never got very far before shelving it for a few months, hoping to pick it up again later.
Several years later, still no book.
Well, that’s not quite true. I’ve written it. I took a new approach, sat down and actually managed to write it. (It’s now out for proofing before it’s final edit, formatting and will be on sale very soon)
What did I do differently?
The tool wasn’t working for me so I changed the tool.
Microsoft Word wasn’t working for me. It’s a great application and I’ve been using it since 1987 when it was a DOS program on a 5 1/4” floppy disk (remember those? The last one I saw was in the Science Museum in London) and still use it within my business, but I found I was fighting it every time I sat down to write my book.
Then, a few weeks ago, I heard about a product called Scrivener. In two months, it has completely changed the way I think and set about writing. I use it to write my blog articles (this one included). I use it to set and manage my business and marketing strategy. I also used it to write my book.
What’s great about Scrivener?
Scrivener allows me to writewithout the distraction of playing around with the formatting. In many ways it’s like a text editor on steroids. It lets me plan. It organises my ideas. It encourages me write.
(Click through for more info)
In short it doesn’t get in the way so I can get the job done. It’s a ‘writing’ program that lets you get on with the writing. At around £30/$45 it’s great value for money, and money well spent imho.
How can I get a copy of Scrivener?
Click to download a trial version (Windows only)
Buy Scrivener for Windows (Regular Licence)
Buy Scrivener 2 for Mac OS X (Regular Licence)
Conclusion…
Scrivener has completely changed the way I go about writing so much that I’m now looking at writing several more books and possibly a novel in the future too. More about that on my new blog, http://ScaryBlankPage.com
