Microsoft Word is a heritage program for a reason. For 95 percent of all types of writing projects, its streamlined functionality, ease of use, and complete availability make it an absolute no-brainer of a writing tool for almost everyone. But oh, that last 5 percent. The irony of Word is that if you’re a serious professional writer, a scribe of books, manuscripts, scholarly works, and more, then Word becomes…well, a little too basic for what you need. You need an app that can handle notations and edits easily, one that can help organize thoughts and research (even outside of Word), one that can format and reformat in seconds and generally craft a writing workflow that adapts to the idiosyncrasies of each writer. Scrivener 3 for Mac ($29.99, 38 percent off, from TNW Deals) is that tool for Mac users, a wide-ranging collection of features for conceiving, building, and ultimately writing long-form pieces your way. Each writer takes their own unique approach to their work. Whether you’re a research-first-write-second proponent or you come from the start-writing-now-and-I’ll-sort-it-all-out-later school, this PCMag Editors Choice pick and long-time no. 1 writing app contours the process to your needs. Scrivener projects start with a binder, a side-collection of files that can include notes, research, even images and video, all the materials around your topic. With Scrivener, writers can group content into various color-coded subfolders so all your important information stays organized and accessible easily. With Scrivener’s Corkboard, writers can outline and structure a piece with cards to help visualize the entirety of the work, moving scenes or tracking characters so nothing falls through the cracks. Bookmarks open research documents side-by-side with your writing window, so you aren’t toggling back and forth between panes. Writers can import all sorts of files, including Word and OpenOffice documents; or with Outliner, creators work from an umbrella overview arranging drafts, or reviewing a synopsis of the work. All that customization potential is why writers like New York Times best-seller Karen Traviss call Scrivener 3 “what working writers need,” while comics writer Ryan Sohmer credited it with “changed my entire workflow for the better.” Regularly $49, Scrivener 3 for Mac is available now at almost 40 percent off, down to just $29.99 — but only for a limited time. The deal closes at the end of May, so jump in and grab it now before the price changes. Prices are subject to change.
