SCRIVENER GIVEAWAY !!! & Writing product review

Hello, all!

I know most of you (if you're like me) have very exacting requirements for your writing software. I'm a very bare bones type of writer but Word was not for me because of the random, irritating little bugs. When I decided to take this whole writing thing seriously, here were my requirements:

- full screen capability

- chapter breakups (but being able to see the list)

- a research section

- a way to export to Word (as that's what my editor/agent - and every editor/agent I know - uses)

I hadn't found anything close to what I wanted. I had originally started with Open Office (remember that?) and then moved to Pages once I had my Mac, but it still wasn't doing anything for me. Then I found Scrivener. (Or to be honest, my husband did, and made me get it).

Ahhh, Scrivener.

As they say: they can't teach you to write, but they can sure organize it for you! What I like most about Scrivener is that you can take your idea - from initial idea to writing "THE END" on your final draft - start to finish - inside one file, THEN compile it however you need for whoever - including single or multiple chapters, and whatever format you require.

So I started working with it, and I fell in love. The 'binder' allows you to switch between Chapters. (Ka-ching!) Research is a snap = and has its own little section. New content pages are a breeze to set up. Basic outlines are easy peasy with the 'corkboard' feature (try using this to do your synopsis. It is awesome!) You can choose your poison, export-wise...Word, epub, etc. It is so simple and SO fast. Need a full screen to get you away from the internet? *raises hand* Consider it done.

But the nicest part about this program is the flexibility. My husband does PHD work on his thesis in Scrivener (and is a real whiz at it). Screenwriters I know use it. A journalist writes and separates all her stories inside her scrivener. Being a tech writer, I could well imagine how nifty this would be (and bypassing all the huge confusing programs out there.)

It really is great. (and they did not pay for this blog review).

HOWEVER! For our wonderful Project Mayhemers, I've got an AWESOME giveaway today!

You could win a free license for Scrivener! We've got two, thanks to the totally awesome people over at Literature & Latte!

There are caveats:

1. You must be a follower of this blog (So become one! We're cool!) Leave a comment and let us know you're a new follower!
2. Tweet, Facebook this link or otherwise promote it, and leave a comment here letting us know!
3. And sorry! You have to have a Mac.

Interested in Scrivener? Then try it for free on your Mac for 30 days here if you don't win. (It's coming soon for the PC.) Want to buy it? It's a steal for $45.00. Check out their homepage here, as it's got lots of neato little vlogs to help you decide how best to use it.

Do you use Scrivener? What do you think of it? I have to say I do and I love it. I'll not switch ever again.

Do you use another writing software? What do you like/not like about it?

We're all ears!

And good luck! I'll announce the winner on Monday!