Thanks for posting your explanation re: Scrivener. I actually OWN it and I even bought a training program for it. But no one seems to be able to tell me WHY I should use it — i.e.: what benefits I would get from it. I’m inclined to agree with you that Word/Evernote/mindmaps are good enough for me! (But I am not a fiction writer and I suspect there may be something in Scrivener that works particularly well for fiction writers.)

Hi Daphne,
I tried SCRIVENER for 20 days (free trial). I took time to learn how to use it properly (the learning curve is quite long : I took 2 week-ends to read and watch tutorials about this software. I experimented a lot).
Finally, I won’t buy it and will come back to my organisation with Word/evernote/mindMaps.
Main reason for not using it : it’s not compatible with PROLEXIS (which is my professional corrector- great product for French grammar and spelling mistakes, etc..). So SCRIVENER was adding complexity into my writing process when it was time for revision !

Actually, I think that SCRIVENER really gives a structure to your writting organization, research, etc… It also provides a board which is very visual. But, if I was already very well organized and if I use maps (for the visual side). So, I really do not see the added value of the tool for myself.
Maybe, enabling to save into different formats (but I do not need the functionality) ?

So without any regrets, I decide not to use it! At leat, I gave it a try 🙂

I have Scrivener too, although I’ve never really used to learn it properly. Please let me know how you find it.

Hi Daphne,
Thanks for your answer!
I already use Evernote (and I’m a big fan).
I’ m now looking for a software which enables more complex pieces of writting than Evernote.
I went through some tutorials and, finally, I will buy Scrivener this week-end.

You might want to take a look at Evernote. It’s a web-based system you can use on either a Mac or PC. Very easy to use and either free or inexpensive (depending on the volume of your material.) Check it out here: https://evernote.com

Glad you’ve figured it out now but just so all my other readers understand, the Hemingway app is free if you use it online. If you want a desktop version, it costs $6.99 (Still a bargain!)

We all have many shames/ignominies early in our writing careers!