That time I made you a Scrivener Template or two

I can’t remember who it was, but a long time ago, in a Twitterverse very, very close, someone was complaining about the Scrivener Novel template.  Specifically, they didn’t like how you had to create more chapter folders manually.  The thinking was, “It should do it for me.”

Now, I can see their point of view, but I can also see the pov of the software developer.  You can’t please everyone all of the time.  Imagine if there were dozens of novel templates – a five chapter version, a ten, a fifteen and a twenty.  A lot of people would complain about too many choices.

A core philosophy of Scrivener is the ability to use as much or as little of the software as you need.  It’s designed to make it easier for you to get the writing done, however you work or write.  I use it differently than you will.  You’ll use it differently than I do, and that’s okay.

Having said all of that, I did see merit in the idea of having a Scrivener Template where I didn’t have to do a whole heckuvalot of setup, IE, create a bunch of folders, or sit there right-clicking and choosing ‘duplicate’ over and over.  So, I created a Scrivener Template that does it for me.

This template is simple; it’s the Novel Template, only with 30 numbered Chapter folders already set and ready to go.  Each Chapter folder has 3 Scenes inside.  You can use as many, or as few, as you want/need.

To use this template:

1. Download my Scrivener Template absolutely free right here
2. Save it somewhere on your HD
3. Note: Yes, it’s a Zip file. That’s because of the way Scrivener creates a Project – which is actually a bunch of files and folders together, which means I have to create a Zip file for you to use instead of a ‘single file’ – which also means, you’ll have to unzip the file
4. Open the file using Scrivener – either by double clicking the file itself, or launching Scrivener and choosing Open and navigating to wherever you saved the file
5. With the file open, choose File > Save as Template and give it a unique name – I went with ‘Novel with Chapters’
6. Now, when you choose to create a New Project with Scrivener, your Template will be there ready and waiting!

Quick disclaimer – I use a Mac with Scrivener 2.6. I’ve no idea if this Template will work for the Windows version.  I’m pretty sure it will.  But no promises.  Sorry.

NOW – having said ALL OF THAT, I wanted to add a little something more.

I’m a huge fan of Rachel Aaron’s writing book, ‘2k to 10k: Writing Faster, Writing Better and Writing More of what your Love’.  It is a GREAT book.  The first to break through my own problems with outlining.  I’ve read it twice.  The second time, I built a Scrivener Template to take advantage of what Rachel was teaching me.  And, after asking her if it was cool (and being told yes!), I wanted to share that template with you today as well.

This template is simple; it’s the template I describe above, only with special sections to help build out your story from idea to full-fledged novel.  Those sections include Idea, Characters, Plot, and Setting.

To use this template:

1. Go buy Rachel’s Book.  Look – it’s just $0.99!  And this template won’t make a lot of sense until/unless you read the book first – so go grab it!
2. Download my Scrivener Template absolutely free right here
3. Save it somewhere on your HD
4. Note: Yes, it’s a Zip file. That’s because of the way Scrivener creates a Project – which is actually a bunch of files and folders together, which means I have to create a Zip file for you to use instead of a ‘single file’ – which also means, you’ll have to unzip the file
5. Open the file using Scrivener – either by double clicking the file itself, or launching Scrivener and choosing Open and navigating to wherever you saved the file
6. With the file open, choose File > Save as Template and give it a unique name – I went with ‘Novel with Chapters and Extras’
7. Now, when you choose to create a New Project with Scrivener, your Template will be there ready and waiting!

Quick disclaimer – I use a Mac with Scrivener 2.6. I’ve no idea if this Template will work for the Windows version.  I’m pretty sure it will.  But no promises.  Sorry.

So there you have it.  A couple of Scrivener Templates for you to start the year out.

Wait – why are you still here?

Go.  Write.