Manuscript Making with Scrivener

Part 3

Compiling Your Work

1. Once your work is complete, now is time to compile the work together so that it’s a format that you can use outside of Scrivener.

2. The Compile link is found under the File tab in the very top left corner of the page. It is towards the bottom of the drop down menu.

3. Once you click Compile, a very small window will pop up.

4. If you click on the down arrow that is in line with the Format As: options, it will allow you to have more control over how the manuscript or script is compiled by giving you an expanded menu.

5. As a default, the program will include everything that is in your Manuscript or Script section in the binder. From the expanded menu you can include less of the manuscript if you need to.

6. The menu on the left has many options that help it format your document once it compiles all of the documents, even the margins of the page can be formatted from this menu. Leaving it as is will probably be the best for creating an initial document.

7. The Format As: options are some of the most important. It allows you to format the document in a certain way, such as like a standard manuscript or as a screenplay. Usually the programs will already be set on a default; however, you can do whatever you want here.

8. The Compile As: options at the bottom of the window are also important and will allow you to choose the format in which you compile the document. This ranges from immediately printing the document to a Word document to ePub formats to many more. Based on your needs, you can pick whatever you want.

9. Once it’s compiled, you can open the document and alter the formatting from there.

Manuscript Making with Scrivener

Part 1

How to Start Up a Brand New Project

1. Click on the desktop icon, or locate the Scrivener.exe file in your computer.

2. In the New Project window, you get to choose a file format that fits your needs.

You can find all sorts of formats in the different categories. Play around with the different formats just to see what kind of pre-made options might find your needs best.

3. Once you have selected a template to use, enter a name in the Save As text box.

4. Double check the folder that Scrivener is saving your projects in.

The default folder is just your Documents folder, but you can change that by clicking on the browse button next to the folder name.

5. Once all the format and file names are to your liking, then click the Create button.

Part 2a

Working on Projects

1. After creating a new project with a premade template, you will be presented with a page of information on how to use the template.

Pay attention to any advice given to help with formatting during the beginning stages, such as scriptwriting formatting help.

2. Once you want to begin writing, you go to the folder titled Manuscript, Script, or something similar depending on what kind of format you began with.

3. Under that main folder will be a file folder icon that has one text file in it. This file can be used to organize parts or acts or chapters.

4. By clicking on the scene or chapter file that is under that file folder, you can begin writing your story or script or paper.

You can add more text files to your folders by pressing the green plus button in the top left of the window.
You can also add more text files by pressing Ctrl+N while in the folder that you wish to add a new text file too.
Should you need to, there is also an option under the small arrow next to the green plus button that will allow you to add other things such as folders (also added by pressing Ctrl+Shift+N), and other types of pages.

5. While you are working on writing, you can move around files at any time to rearrange your story or script in a way that fits your needs.

Part 2b

Using Scrivener for Background Info

1. Scrivener comes with three different sections (Characters, Setting, and Research) for organizing information, although you can add more as you need. These are around found in the Binder on the left hand side of the window, in the same area where your project is.

2. You can add text files to these sections just like any other section, although they will not be included in the manuscript that you create.

In some templates, there are character and setting sheet templates that can be used for basic overviews of characters. Whether you use these or find something else for you to use is up to you!

3. You can import web pages that you liked or wanted as part of your research as well.

4. Really you can put anything you want wherever you want, but the presets offer a lot of potential.

5. Often included is a notes section as well. This section can be used for whatever kinds of notes you need, although it might be best for jotting down ideas about the story or script as you’re working on it.

6. There are many different ways to go about organizing everything, and Scrivener will give you all the options so that you can get the most out of the program.