Support for Indie Authors discussion

Hi all,

I use Scrivener to write manuscripts on my gaming laptop. I've written four manuscripts, plus my undergraduate thesis, so I'm quite content on this program. Anyway, I've been debating on buying Scrivener again on iOS to write on the go, so I was wondering if anyone had experience using iOS Scrivener? I am just worried about needing to sync between my computer and iPad, as I don't really love using a thumbdrive to carry around with my stuff on it, but would prefer it over Google Drive or DropBox. I have also been talking myself out of buying a keyboard case for my iPad because it's expensive, which is swaying my decision. Thanks!

I use Scrivener on a laptop. Have managed 3 books of between 100k - 150k words each and writing a fourth. Scrivener, for me, works well. I bought the iOS app and absolutely hated it. Which is odd as it’s much the same. Others may like it.

Terry wrote: "I use Scrivener on a laptop. Have managed 3 books of between 100k - 150k words each and writing a fourth. Scrivener, for me, works well. I bought the iOS app and absolutely hated it. Which is odd a..."

Hi Terry, do you know exactly what bothered you about the app? I think what's putting me off personally is the pain it is to sync, and the fact that the iOS app is a bit out of date. I upgraded to Scrivener 3.0 when it came out and absolutely love it, but really do not want to go back to the old UI.

I had a couple of gripes with it, Rachel. I don’t enjoy pecking at an iPad screen keyboard. And I do have a blue tooth keyboard, but I find it a bit useless.

However, my main dislike was the way it syncs. I lost quite a bit of work via the synch once and even though I could revert to a backup on the laptop, the experience undermined my confidence in the app.

The other thing to be aware of---if you are on a metered link, syncing uses up tons of data. It also seems to take forever to sync just a few things.

Personally, I don't like doing any type of typing on a virtual keyboard on a screen. It's a real PIA, which explains why I bought a cheap laptop to take with me. It isn't all the big but it has a keyboard and I can type on it and I can save to drop box until I get back home. (A Lenvo that you can use like a tablet) It works for typing and editing and for my job.

For me, I won't use tablets to write on. I place them in the phone category--way to small and just not functional for much other than reading or playing game.

Rachel wrote: "Hi all,

I use Scrivener to write manuscripts on my gaming laptop. I've written four manuscripts, plus my undergraduate thesis, so I'm quite content on this program. Anyway, I've been debating on ..."

I would like your opinion, is Schrivner 3 better than MS WORD and if so how?

Hi Rob,

I do consider Scrivener 3.0 better than Microsoft Word, at least with how I go about my writing. With Scrivener, you make a project that contains all your documents in one place, rather than needing to make one Word document full of all your chapters. Scrivener also compiles your work for you in whatever style you need, which is easier than how Word does it.

For example, I write per chapter, and each chapter is a separate document that can get compiled at the end when I’m done. I tend to write out of order, so this is a lot easier to keep track of what chapters are done and the others that aren’t, because you can update the document (as a to do, in progress, first draft, etc).

In all, Word (and Google docs) has gotten me through many essays and lab reports, but I do not like it for creating writing. It is just not really designed for it. I hope it helps!

In regards to iOS Scrivener, I am willing to buy a keyboard for it, but I am just cagey in losing data. I just wish it was easier/more up to date with failsafes for syncing.

Rachel wrote: "Hi Rob,

I do consider Scrivener 3.0 better than Microsoft Word, at least with how I go about my writing. With Scrivener, you make a project that contains all your documents in one place, rather th..."

Thanks for your opinion of Schrivner 3 and why it is better. I am working on my 4th novel and agree it is messy with WORD keeping track of what each chapter is about. Also the idea of easily moving chapters around is appealing and difficult to do in WORD having to highlight the whole chapter, cut it, and figure out where to paste it.. Also I too prefer a real keyboard vs virtual one.

Rob wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Hi Rob,

I do consider Scrivener 3.0 better than Microsoft Word, at least with how I go about my writing. With Scrivener, you make a project that contains all your documents in one p..."

Rob, You can have Scrivener back up to the cloud, Dropbox, etc. I keep copies in the cloud, having lost three full novels. I quit using MS Word a year after I began writing, totally frustrated at not being able to find what I needed with tons issues in the way I had to organize with way too many folders.
I use the spilt screen in Scrivener a lot when writing for my character bible, or what world building I've done or research that I've imported. One of the big things for me was the ability to not have to leave the program since I work off line a lot of the time.

When it comes time to start revisions, the snapshot feature means you never lose what you did and you can always go back with the click of a mouse. I also use the notes feature for revisions so that I remember what I wanted to change on a read through. (I highlight the next and change the color and put the note in that color)

Scrivener 3 was made for MAC and is a lot more functional on a MAC. I'm not sure about iOS since I do avoid doing much on tablets. Those are for play, not work unless I need to do research and don't want to change my screen, but I'm sure it would still be better to use scrivener than MS word even on a tablet. Even with the original Scrivener you set where it was to back up.

B.A. wrote: "Rob wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Hi Rob,

I do consider Scrivener 3.0 better than Microsoft Word, at least with how I go about my writing. With Scrivener, you make a project that contains all your docume..."

Thanks again for the info. I will load the trial & see how it works. I hope it has the spell and grammar checking and thesaurus power of MS word. I am good at spelling but not that good.

Hi all,

I actually got a job offer yesterday (unrelated), so I’m going to see how the adjustment goes for my writing schedule. If I have some downtime, I may invest in a keyboard case and such for my iPad. Will keep you posted.

B.A. wrote: "Rob wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Hi Rob,

I do consider Scrivener 3.0 better than Microsoft Word, at least with how I go about my writing. With Scrivener, you make a project that contains all your docume..."

It isn't just microsoft word that loses stuff--I always make several backup copies--it makes saving a document a little cumbersome, but if one of them gets eaten by the word goblin, I can usually find a copy. The interesting thing about using word on an IOS product, is when you save it doesn't cover up the old document with a new one. This can be tiresome too, as it does mean when re-opening a document you have to check the last opened date so you get the prior one you were working on.

I have several thumb drives and rotate through them. I back up the story I am working on every time I stop to the oldest backed up thumb drive. For this I use a minimum of 2 drives and alternate the backup. This is perhaps an archaic method but it works for me. Programs can be repurchased/reinstalled but lose your data and it's gone forever!

I would argue that Scrivener on an iPad 12.9 w/ magic keyboard is the (near) pinnacle of writing (and only writing) tools. Since I got both in 2018, I now do 99% of my writing on the iPad.

Pros:
- A largely distraction-free writing environment that's single focused to the task.
- iPad's magic keyboard (especially the 12.9 version) is a great keyboard to type on for long durations
- You can keep your iPad with you in a lot more places than your laptop. In-fact, I went out and got a 11" iPad with a magic keyboard that I now keep in my car. At work I'll often go out for lunch with my ipad and take the hour to get some writing in.
- While iOS Scrivener is limited in its functionality, 99% of the time I'm just using it to write -- and for that it's perfect.
- The iPad is just worlds easier to carry around with you wherever you go. Pop it open, open up Scriv and just get writing. No fuss, no muss.

Cons:
- Syncing. Use Dropbox and you need to be careful that you sync Every Single Time you're done working on the iOS version to avoid issues. Following that rule I haven't really ever had any major issues, but sometimes you end up with sync conflicts. I wish it worked directly with iCloud or some other "auto-sync" system.
- Fonts / Styling. Not really necessary to get the job done, but I would prefer the iOS version's style system wasn't so limited. Then again, I wish the full-grown version of the app on desktop wasn't so limited, either.
- The full-screen mode on scrivener desktop is much better than on iOS. iOS' version isn't awful, but I'd like to have more control over how my copy is presented.
- Be paranoid like me, enable auto-backup on Scrivener desktop, then make sure you open / backup your project regularly on desktop. iOS doesn't have that feature.
- The iOS version is missing a ton of useful features, but like I said earlier, if all you're looking to do in a session is write, then it's perfect for that.