I'm just getting started with writing as well. I'm using Google Docs to write. Is it a suitable way to write for publishing? Not sure if I need to invest on a software like Scrivener. Thoughts?
I have not used it myself, but know others who do. I think technically it works just fine.
For me, one hesitation would be sharing my WIPs with Google. I'd rather just not have _another_ company have more copies of my work when they don't need to. Additionally, I write steamy romance and have heard of Google blocking access to docs based on contents before. They may never do that for what I'm writing, but I'd rather not take the chance of losing access to a whole manuscript.
Personally when writing on a laptop I use Scrivener or Word. But anything that can handle your length of text will work. One benefit of Scrivener is it also provides extensive formatting options (eg to export your manuscript in epub format with desired fonts, spacing, etc). However, if you're going the way of paid software already (which Scrivener is as you know) I'd suggest actually checking out a separate software for formatting and export. Some options:
* Vellum (expensive, but gold standard for Mac. Exports beautiful files for different formats including print)
* Atticus (have not tried it, but some consider it a Vellum replacement - also not Mac-exclusive like Vellum is)
I _have_ used Scrivener for both writing and formatting and export before and it worked just fine! But now I use Vellum and it's just much better for that final formatting step.
You can also export in epub format in Word or alternatively use Calibre to customize and export a book. Those are more fiddly options that may not produce as beautiful results without more hands-on work. BUT if you're just starting out and want to "flip your first pancake" quickly without much or any investment, these totally work.
For me, one hesitation would be sharing my WIPs with Google. I'd rather just not have _another_ company have more copies of my work when they don't need to. Additionally, I write steamy romance and have heard of Google blocking access to docs based on contents before. They may never do that for what I'm writing, but I'd rather not take the chance of losing access to a whole manuscript.
Personally when writing on a laptop I use Scrivener or Word. But anything that can handle your length of text will work. One benefit of Scrivener is it also provides extensive formatting options (eg to export your manuscript in epub format with desired fonts, spacing, etc). However, if you're going the way of paid software already (which Scrivener is as you know) I'd suggest actually checking out a separate software for formatting and export. Some options:
* Vellum (expensive, but gold standard for Mac. Exports beautiful files for different formats including print)
* Atticus (have not tried it, but some consider it a Vellum replacement - also not Mac-exclusive like Vellum is)
I _have_ used Scrivener for both writing and formatting and export before and it worked just fine! But now I use Vellum and it's just much better for that final formatting step.
You can also export in epub format in Word or alternatively use Calibre to customize and export a book. Those are more fiddly options that may not produce as beautiful results without more hands-on work. BUT if you're just starting out and want to "flip your first pancake" quickly without much or any investment, these totally work.