The first draft of book 6 in my series is done! There are few things that feel better than finishing a book. Especially since this one took longer than usual, for no discernible reason—other than maybe a few world events messing with my concentration…?—and it feels great to have the hard part done.
Now on to revisions, edits, copyedits, book cover… Look for Blind Trust in October!
For my Scrivener fans, check out today’s post at WriterUnboxed.com about features in Scrivener 3 that make finding your projects easier. As always, I’m answering questions, so I hope you’ll stop by!
Here's a little primer (complete with videos) I created to get you started with Scrivener for iOS. If you're looking for a full class on the app, check out Steve Shipley's Udemy course.
Creating a New Project
Scrivener for iOS can be used as a standalone program without the Mac or Windows version. As such, you can create a new project within the iOS app. This also means that if you’re on the road and want to start something new, there's no need to set it up on your computer first. In a minute, I'll tell you how to move the project to Dropbox, if desired. Here’s how to get started.
Tap the + Create Project button on the right side of the screen. Alternatively, you can tap the “Tap to create a project” button under On My iPad at the left.
In the New Project dialog box that appears, tap in the text box and type the name of your project.
Click Create.
Choose whether to save the project on your iPad or Dropbox. If you’re not working with the Mac or Windows version and don’t need to sync with Dropbox, choose “On my iPad.” If you’ve already set up Dropbox for syncing, and would like this project to be available on your other devices, select Dropbox. NOTE: Remember, you can always move an iPad project to Dropbox later. I discuss this in the next section. The project is created using Scrivener’s basic Blank template, and the project is opened.
Video review – 50 secs
Closing a Project
When you’re ready to close a project, simply tap the left arrow button in the upper left corner until you reach the Projects screen.
Sometimes, if you’re in a document in a folder in a project, you may have to tap it several times to back up through the layers.
NOTE: If you tap your iPad’s home button to exit Scrivener, the project doesn’t close. If you plan to work on that project on another computer/device, be sure to return to the Projects screen and sync before exiting.
Moving a Project
On the main Projects screen, projects are organized in two ways. Under the Projects column on the left, they are grouped by location and sorted alphabetically. The project tiles on the right side of the Projects screen display the projects by “last viewed” date/time.
You cannot adjust the order of display in either list, but you can move them between your iPad and Dropbox to change their location. Here’s how.
In the Projects column, tap Edit. The Projects column enters Edit mode.
Press and hold the three lines icon to the right of the project you’d like to move until the project box turns gray.
Drag the project to the desired location. The project is now shown in its new location. NOTE: If you moved a project from your iPad to Dropbox, a blue triangle appears to alert you that the project has not been synced to Dropbox.
Tap Done to exit Edit mode.
Duplicating a Project
To duplicate a project (same as File—>Save As on the Mac or Windows version), do the following.
In the Projects column, tap Edit.
Tap the circle to the left of the project to duplicate.
Tap the Duplicate button (squares with + inside) at the bottom of the Projects screen. Scrivener creates a complete copy of the project in the same location as the selected project and adds a number to the end of the new project’s name.
Tap Done to exit Edit mode.
Deleting a Project
Here’s how to delete a project.
In the Projects column, tap Edit.
Tap the circle to the left of the project to delete.
Tap Delete at the bottom of the screen. When the confirmation message appears, tap Delete. The project is removed from your list. NOTE: If the project is stored in Dropbox, it won’t disappear from Dropbox until you sync Scrivener, even though the file no longer appears in your list.
Tap Done to exit Edit mode.
Renaming a Project
To rename a project, do the following.
Press and hold the project name (in either list) until the Project Title dialog box appears.
It takes a lot of mint green tea and dark chocolate to fuel these posts. If you found something helpful, please consider a small donation to my pantry (via PayPal, cc accepted). Thank you!
I'm a serial committer. Like Einstein, but without the astounding genius. What the heck is that, you ask? A serial committer is someone who gives themselves completely to what they're working on…until they move on to something else. Basically, it means I function best in a project-oriented environment.
I realized this about myself fairly early on, and sought to find jobs that demanded that type of temperament. Programming. Yep. Teaching. Yep. Manufacturing. Double yep. I even got my certification in Project Management.
The thing was, as much as I love moving every few years (you know, that pesky Air Force thing), it makes career advancement difficult. I didn't seriously consider writing until I quit my job, got bored, and remembered how much I liked crafting prose.
Turns out writing is a great fit (well, except that I'm not getting paid yet)–since it is by nature project-based–and even meets some of my other ideal career requirements:
Keeps my brain actively engaged and challenged
Requires me to constantly learn new things
Uses creative problem-solving
Career advancement is tied to performance and skill (combined with determination and a lot of luck)
I can work when I want, where I want, and wear what I want. (Like working 7-1 on your couch in pajamas? No problem.)
I work for myself. Like any self-employed person, I (will) have clients rather than bosses. Yes, you still have to give them what they want, but I'm in charge of when and how I do it, as long as I meet their requirements and deadlines.
It's fun, and I'd do it for no pay at all. (Good thing, since it could be a while. <g>)
What are your ideal job requirements? If you're a writer, what makes it the right career for you?
—
The Daily Squirrel: gum
The boy on the other side of the locker door stared her down and sucked in his gum with a series of loud pops. Kate flinched with each ear-splitting crack, but her gaze didn't waver in spite of her legs of jelly.
“Hand over the money, Four-eyes,” Dean said with a sneer.
Without looking away from him, she shook her head. “No.” The bullying had gone on long enough. Someone had to stand up to Dean and his gang. Fear prickled her neck, and set an erratic beat within her chest, but she stood firm. “No.”
It takes a lot of mint green tea and dark chocolate to fuel these posts. If you found something helpful, please consider a small donation to my pantry (via PayPal, cc accepted). Thank you!
