How to Use Scrivener's Template Feature

Edited 16 days ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Scrivener, a popular tool for writers, offers many features to help organize and optimize the writing process. One of these powerful features is Scrivener's template functionality. Templates allow writers to start their project with a specific setup tailored to the type of writing they're writing, whether it's a novel, screenplay, article, or some other form. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore how to effectively use Scrivener's template feature to enhance your writing output.

Understanding the basics of Scrivener templates

Before we go into the steps for using templates, it's important to understand what Scrivener templates are. A template in Scrivener is a pre-built project setup that provides a structure tailored to a particular form of writing. These templates often contain folders, files, and formatting that reflect the specific structure needed for certain types of documents. For example, a novel template might include folders for each chapter, character sketches, and settings.

Scrivener comes with several built-in templates that are suitable for different writing types. These include templates for:

• Novel
• Screenplays
• Non-fiction books
• Short stories
• Material

Additionally, you can also create your own custom templates if the ones provided don’t exactly suit your needs.

Using predefined templates

To use a predefined template in Scrivener, follow these steps:

1. Open Scrivener and click on File.
2. Select New Project from the drop-down menu, which will open the project creation window.
3. In this window, you will see a list of available templates classified by the type of writing.
4. Select the appropriate category for your project, such as Fiction for novel writing.
5. Choose a specific template from the options in the selected category. For example, the Novel with Parts template under the Fiction category.
6. Select or click OK (depending on your version of Scrivener) to create a new project using the selected template.
7. Provide a name and location for your new project, then click Create.

Once your project is created, you will see the structure and folders provided by the template. This predefined structure helps you organize your thoughts and writing process efficiently.

Understanding the features of the template

Each template comes with its own unique features. For example, a new template might have:

• Chapter folders to separate the contents of each chapter.
• Character sketch section for keeping track of character details.
• A folder for research materials.
• Template sheet where you can fill in information about settings or plot points.

On the other hand, screenplay templates often come with predefined script formatting suitable for film or TV screenplays. This ensures that you follow standard formatting guidelines without manual adjustments.

Creating and saving your custom templates

While predefined templates provide a quick start, sometimes you may need to customize your setup. Scrivener allows you to create and save your own custom templates. Here's how:

Step 1: Create or modify a project

Start by opening an existing project that you want to use as your base or create a new project and set it up according to your needs. You may want to modify the folder structure, document types, or include specific resources or notes that you use frequently in your projects.

Step 2: Save your project as a template

Once your project is set up accordingly, follow these steps:

1. Go to File in the menu bar.
2. Select Save As Template from the drop-down options.
3. In the window that opens, enter a name and description for your template to help you identify it in the future.
4. Select the appropriate category for your template or create a new category.
5. Click OK to save your project as a template.

Your custom template will appear in the template chooser the next time you create a new project.

Modifying templates for specific needs

Templates are intended to simplify your writing process, but as your projects evolve, you may find that you need to modify the structure and content of the template. Here's how you can do that:

Updating an existing project template

If you're already working on a project and you think you need to make changes that will apply to future projects, you can modify the project and resave it as a new template. Simply adjust the folders, documents, and content as needed and then follow the previous steps to save the project as a new custom template.

Share templates across devices

When working on multiple devices, you'll want to keep your templates consistent. Scrivener stores templates locally, so to use templates on another computer, you'll need to transfer them:

1. Find and copy your template file from the Scrivener application support directory on your computer.
2. Transfer this file to your other computer using cloud storage, USB, or other transfer methods.
3. Import this template file into Scrivener on the new device by selecting Import Templates in the New Project window.

Taking advantage of templates

Templates not only provide structure at the beginning of a project, but also provide several benefits throughout your writing process:

• Consistency: This ensures that each project starts from the same baseline, promoting consistency across documents.
• Efficiency: Saves time by pre-sorting project elements and layouts, allowing you to focus on the creative aspects rather than organizational tasks.
• Customization: Customize templates to reflect personal workflows, adapt them through the experience, and optimize them over time.
• Focus: Provides a clear starting point and a structured path, which helps maintain direction and focus.

Best practices for using Scrivener templates

To maximize the effectiveness of Scrivener templates, consider the following best practices:

1. Review and update templates regularly

Over time, your writing style and project needs may change. Review and update your templates periodically to reflect any changes in your process or priorities. This keeps your workflow relevant and organized.

2. Maintain a backup of custom templates

Always keep a backup of your custom templates in a safe place. This practice ensures that you will have a copy if you experience technical problems or change devices. Additionally, storing templates in a cloud service helps you maintain an up-to-date version across all your devices.

3. Experiment and learn from existing templates

Use the existing templates provided by Scrivener as learning resources. By examining the structure and content organization of different templates, you can gain insight into managing your projects more effectively.

4. Ask for feedback to improve

If you work in a community or writing group, ask for feedback on your template design. Others may offer helpful tips or insights about effective structure that you may not have considered.

Conclusion

Scrivener's template feature is a powerful tool that makes it easy to start new writing projects, optimize organization, and customize the writing process to fit personal workflows. By understanding how to use both predefined and custom templates, you can transform your writing approach, leading to increased productivity and creativity. Remember, templates serve not only as starting points, but also as dynamic assets that evolve along with your writing journey, ensuring streamlined and effective project management.

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