Just what is this program called Scrivener that everyone keeps talking about?  And how can you use it for your genealogy and family history projects? 

Scrivener by Literature and Latte is a combination word processor and project management tool that’s affordable and simple to use. Priced under $50, this powerful application seamlessly takes you from idea to outline to finished product. And here are just a few reasons of why you should be using Scrivener to share your genealogy research.

1. It provides a “one-stop shop” for preparing all types of genealogy projects.  Whether you are a blogger, an aspiring author, or a genealogist looking to share your family history findings, Scrivener can help you plot, organize, and publish your writing.  Here are a few ideas of what you can do with Scrivener:

• Write a family history book or historical novel
• Compose profiles or character sketches
• Prepare client research reports or proof arguments
• Outline articles and Blog posts
• Develop presentations and courses 
• Collect family interviews and stories
• Storyboard a family photo project
• Create a research “to do” list
• Plan a family reunion
• Preserve and share family recipes
• Design your own locality guides
• And…more (create your own project)

Compile and export your project into many different formats so you can share what you have written with your family through print or online, eBooks, and more.

2.  There are four writing modes to suit different writing moods.  It does not matter if you work best from an outline, prefer to “storyboard,”, or you like to see a full view of your project, and want the flexibility of more than just a word processing screen, Scrivener has you covered with its four main modes—Outline, Document View, Corkboard, and Scrivenings.  There are also plenty of built-in templates to make getting started a snap.  Keyboard shortcuts and Quick Command keys can help you access and navigate many of Scrivener’s main functions and project and interface shortcuts right from your keyboard. The Corkboard mode happens to be my favorite because it provides a chance to use virtual index cards to “storyboard” your entire project or even a portion of your project to help you visualize where you want to go with your article, story, book, etc., ideas and points you need to include, any holes you need to fix, or any additional research you still need to do.  

3. You will never be without your research. During the research stage you likely collected documents, notes, interview transcripts, newspaper clippings, photographs, and perhaps even audio and video files.  Scrivener lets you import just about any type of file right into your project so you can access it as its own file, or have it appear side by side with your composition window for easy reference as you type.  This saves you the time of having to open the file in an external program and flip back and forth between it and Scrivener.  The ability to sync your projects in the cloud via Dropbox means you can easily back them up. If you are an Evernote user, you can even quickly and effortlessly import items you have saved there.

Are you convinced yet?  

If so, then why not register for the Scrivener Mini-Boot Camp on 31 January 2015? During this 90-minute session, I will walk you through how to get up and running with Scrivener, and how to make this program work for you and your genealogy/family history writing.  You can find the full details about the Scrivener Boot Camp, including how to register, over at HackGenealogy.com.*

But, don’t delay, as seats are going fast and there are just a few spaces left. 

And, if you register by the end of today, Monday, 26 January 2015, you’ll  receive $3 off the regular registration price of $7.95! (This means you will get your space for the low price of $4.95). If you register but can’t attend, you’ll still receive the handout, the freebie and access to the recording!

Register 
Reserve your spot at: http://hackgenealogy.com/scrivener-mini-boot-camp-31-january-2015/

Hope to see you there!



* It is highly recommended that you download the free trial version of Scrivener (Available for Mac or Windows) at http://www.literatureandlatte.com/index.php before the boot camp in order to maximize your learning experience.


Copyright, 2015, Lisa A. Alzo
All Rights Reserved

Disclaimer:  As a consultant for HackGenealogy.com, I will receive monetary compensation for instructing this workshop.