LOVE the idea of building the characters' homes in the Sims. Makes it so much easier to visualize, especially if you know how you want it to look but can't find a good floorplan to reference
My free trial for scrivener only has 5 days left. I think this video has come at the right time and I feel like I should test out Notion before committing to Scrivener. I normally write in word docs, so it seems like a great option to enhance my current processes. Thank you for a great video and solid advice 👌
I was trying to get back into creative writing after over 10 years and I loved the free trial of scrivener, but I found myself still doing the majority of my work and research in Google docs during spare moments of my day. Transferring everything into Scrivener was a job in itself that often left me too tired to just sit and write. Notion is a life saver! I have on my android phone, my work iPad,and my PC. All my work is always at my fingertips and it's free! I do find that the android app is far less refined than the others, but still fully functional. I didn't know I could create different personal profiles, so that really cleared up my messy sidebar.
notion + google docs = the underrated combo 😅 this is my first attempt of writing another novel since four years and i cant wait to use this method 💗💗 (i also found out that you're writing on wattpad and im SO happy, i guess im really going to go back to the platform and continue my passion again 🌼)
I have an iPhone, an iPad Pro, and a PC. I've found that as long as your create your Scrivener file in Dropbox, it'll seamlessly sync to all devices. You just have to make sure the project is 'closed' on one device before switching to another, or you can get some funky duplicate issues. But for the most part, it works great for me! I've recently discovered Notion, so I'm curious to see how fiddling around with it might change my writing routine. We'll see! Thank you for this video, it was super fun to watch!
I literally just started organising my notes into Notion & thought, hmmm I wonder if someone has already done this specifically for writing a novel and here you are. Super helpful thank you!
Yes!!! Notion is the best! I've been using it for over two years--it's awesome! I really like how you have a wiki for your books. Such dedication! I'm going to try being this detailed for my next book!
It really is! It fuels the organization junkie in me haha 😂 And creating a wiki is a lot of fun! I find myself going back to it a lot while writing book two. I haven't used one for a standalone book yet, but I'd totally be flailing without it for this series! 😅
I'm just discovering Notion and really dig how easy it is to set up compared to something like Obsidian, which I was trying to incorporate into my writing workflow previously. I haven't used Scrivener simply due to the fact it costs money and I've already been using Google Docs for years (and years...) anyway. This video is super helpful and encouraging!
thank you! I loved the way you organize your pages. I was looking for a way to set up my notion for writing, and this is perfect. Love the idea of embedding docs into Notion because I too prefer Docs for actual writing. thank you for the great tips!🥰
Thank you so much. Since there’s so many different setups for writing, Ive been looking for a while how other writers’ use Notion. I was really happy to find ur vid showing a similar preference to this specific writing setup. I’ve always used Google Docs to write my stories, and it’s a nightmare to imagine having to completely move my docs into a different software, so the fact Notion allows embedding Google Docs has me looking forward to trying it out. Super helpful vid! Good luck to all who’re looking for software(s) to work with their specific writing setup!
What an awesome idea! I will be using this. After I purchased Scrivener I felt like it was a bit lacking in its ability to "go anywhere" due to the lack of Android capability. My laptop is nice, but I can't/don't always have it with me, understandably. I do not, nor do I ever plan to use Apple products. They're overpriced and hard to service, so that's a hard no until they fix those two things. This is the perfect solution. Thanks so much for sharing!
It sounds like we are on the exact same page with our gripes for Scrivener and Apple lol! 😅 I'm so glad you found this video, and I hope this method works out for you! 😄💚
I've been using Notion for a while and was looking for tools that would help my write a book, so it was nice to come full circle back to Notion. I like how you patched together a solution that matched your needs and abilities (The use of The Sims was pure genius). Plus, the haircut looks cool.
Thanks so much for this! I was looking for an example of how to use notion for writing projects, because i also use google docs!! So this is perfect 🤩 Thanks so much for sharing your process! Also, i love that you used the Sims to lay out the house 🏠😂 I work for Maxis, so I can fully appreciate it ;))
I was about to buy scrivener but at the last second I wondered if there was a way to use notion or google docs because I am comfortable with those already and they're free. I didn't even think to combine the power of both docs and notion until I found this video!! I will be trying this out. Thank you for the video!
Hey Caitlin - Writing my first Non-Fiction book. Didn't know a lick about ANY of these tools. Just been on RU-vid researching stuff like crazy, here. I use the outdated Word 2010 on an outdated laptop with little memory. I remember using Google Docs, but not being impressed with it back then. It was frustrating. I think I need to revisit this; because now you, and someone else has suggested using Google Docs. Not trying to break the bank; so I'm not highly monetarily invested in writing tools. I actually came on RU-vid today, primarily, to research how to use Scrivener, although, I didn't know what it was called, so I was going to bum around with the search query of "How to Structure your book"; and hope that I'd come across the name again. Thanks for making this video. I liked and subscribed. Keep up the good work, Caitlin. Peace Love and Light Be well and take care, ~ Dave M. ~
This is so helpful! I’ve already been using Notion for a while but it’s so cool to see someone else’s workspace so I can incorporate little helpful bits of their setup into mine. Awesome video! :)
This is very interesting! I'm definitely going to give this a shot while traveling for a long time! It's been a struggle so far to find a working solution to write novels and wiki entries while also plotting and organising loose ideas on an android tablet. This seems like the perfect workaround for wandering writers. Thank you!
Your notion setup for writing is the most comprehensive I've seen in all of my research! Would you consider creating a template either for free or pay? Templates for notion are aplenty, but notion templates for WRITERS? Not so much
This is what I do, as well. I do use all apple products, but lost a chunk of writing to a sync that didn’t work between my iPad and MacBook Pro. After that I couldn’t trust it. Back to Google Docs and embedding in Notion. I’ve also built everything I need for my self pub business side in Notion as well!
I love the hair!! Ive used Google Docs for YEARS and have never found a reason to leave! Especially because I can turn the whole screen black so it's easier on my eyes 😁😁🖤
@@caitlinfiffik I actually turn the page itself black and the font kind of a soft cream so it isnt so stark alongside nightmode! Idk if I explained that clearly 😅
I like the concept of embedding or linking Google Drive/Docs stuff into the Notion Template. The issue that I have currently is that although you can keep the embed item small, using the Google Docs Link expands the doc to the full size and doesn't yet allow me to "accordion" it down to save space. I suppose separate pages would be the best way to go.
😂Love the intro! I've been threatening to break up with Scrivener for ages because of Dropbox. The sync SUCKS. And no, iOS is no better. It insists on syncing hundreds of files instead of simply the one you modified and requires a ridiculous amount of bandwidth to do it or you get conflicts.
Had the same issue. Did the same thing. The sync between OsX and my IPad is bad as well and I had to pay additional 29€! for the IPad version. You need Dropbox as the connection point and the Dropbox free version is limited to 2GB. (And when you have finally made all these downloads and settings, you still don't have Scrivener on your mobile) I need this app on all devices: Mobile, desktop and IPad …however, I use Notion for months now and I LOVE it. Best App ever.
Same reason why I'm looking for an alternative. I love scrivener, I do, but I have an old laptop that doesn't have much battery life and I now spend quite a bit of time writing on my phone when I'm not home using a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. Sure, the screen is tiny but it gets the job done. I can't bring my old laptop everywhere, but I can bring my phone just fine. The fact scrivener doesn't have a mobile app is unfortunately a deal breaker for me at this point.
Thank you for an excellent video. I really like seeing how you organise your work. I wonder what the difference is between the web-based view of notion compared to the web-based view of Google Drive. It seems that you could have the same layout in Google Drive as you have in notion: folders for inspirational pictures, chapter plot outlines, character docs, etc, and still have your cross-device compatibility. Thanks again for sharing, and blessings from Australia.
I had scrivener on the Ipad, and while it was nice, it was really weird for me. I was used to MS Word, and I liked that every chapter is an own doc that I can open just like that on dropbox and while having everything as one in scrivener, I really had problems that the chapters weren‘t seperated like that XD idk if it‘s just me haha
Thanks so much for this idea! Simple question: how do you export all your chapters in a single book file? as you said every chapter is a single google docs file. Have you a script?
I was intrigued when you said you could build your entire wiki in Notion instead of using Google Drive at all. Have you done that yet? If not, why didn't you do that?
I love Notion, and I've completely moved my poetry over to it from Dabble. I've considered moving my short stories also. I struggle with my novels, though, because I find Google Docs has trouble handling large documents, and a few ten thousand words seems to be its limit in my experience. Do you break it into chapters? What I love about Dabble is being able to move everything around easily. After my pre-Dabble experience with Google Docs, I just don't see how people make it work. I'd truly love to know! Also, the no-internet-means-no-Google-Docs thing makes me twitchy!
Hi, I'm sorry for asking this on a video that's not really on the topic, but do you have any advice on how to branch out and meet potential friends on wattpad? 👀 Your channel is super helpful btw, loving the videos x Edit: this video has changed the game of organising all my stuff. You're a lifesaver and I'm so glad I stumbled upon your channel!
I think this is a great question. 12 years ago when I joined Wattpad, I found it very easy to make friends. I still have them all on my socials. When I came back to Wattpad last year, I discovered how much it changed and feel it is more difficult to find and make friends. I'd also be interested in learning about the social aspect of Wattpad. I feel engaging in conversation through comments might be a good way to go 😊 like this! Hi 👋
@@emmajakobsen8265 There were the forums, but honestly, most of my friendships were made through comments on stories and messaging on each other's wall. There's a lot more people using Wattpad now, so I feel like it's harder to find those people you connect with.
I made most of my wattpad friends through doing read for reads! And I'm not sure about other authors, but I always reply to and follow back readers who are active on my current stories--idk if they think of me as friends, but I definitely think of them that way 😂 So I agree that comments are a great way to reach out! Especially if you have a certain community or fandom that you're a part of, I feel like that always helps with making friends if you want to include that stuff on your profile. Also I'm so happy to hear that omg!! I hope you love notion as much as I do 😄 And thank you so much! 💚
Sadly, for me, I have not found versioning on notion and google docs to be satisfactory on the free versions. Scrivener's snapshot function just has no free equal that I have found.
I was watching this video with my mouth hanging half open for two reasons. 1. Your hair is stunning. 2. I just use Ms Word and Sticky Notes. What the heck is all this? Call me old fashioned but, EII. EIIIIIII. Anyway, good video.
aww thank you!! 😄💚 and LOL that's totally valid! I love hearing about everyone's different processes. When I first started writing I wrote on MS Paint 🤣
Hi Caitlin, thanks so much for this video. I love using Scrivener but yes, it's so limiting when I'm trying to access my manuscript on my phone. I've been thinking a lot about Notion as well but I'm still mulling over it since I'm not sure if I want to spend so much time relearning a new system. How do you compile a completed book manuscript then? Since all the chapters are written in separate documents on GDocs, do you just copy and paste into a full manuscript document and format it there?
It does not export the document into .doc or .docx Copy and pasting it is horrendous, it makes just a big wall of text and formatting is lost. Notion is not for long-writing, even less to write an actual novel. I wish scrivener implemented cross platform instead.
I tried Scrivener for 30 days but it wasn't for me. It was like less writing more organization. But I write in word now and it's so good. If you know how to use the headings, you can easily organize your story.
Indeed, headings and subheadings in Word are underrated... :) Been using them for years too. However, now that I'm getting in more complex projects (+50.000 words) I might need the organisational power of Scrivener....
Hello ! Thank you for the video ! Quick question: you say google docs isn't organized, but if you made folders and subfolders, wouldn't that technically organize it for you ? For example: Book 1 main folder: subfolder character 1: and then a bunch of subfolders like: character/traits/personality etc... isn't it also simple ? without having to go through notion ?
I've been using Google docs like that too. But the problem was the writing in itself. As a writer, it was hard to manuever within my novel. I wanted something that I could minimize so I can expand/collapse my ideas, organize them into sequences, re-arrange my ideas, thoughts and gdocs isn't truly built like that. It was hard for me to organize gdocs especially when its also integrated into the other parts of my life like work and school. So, notion was really the one good thing where its easy to manage and I can even customize it to what is easy for me. Well, that's just my preference.
I've been using Google docs like that too. But the problem was the writing in itself. As a writer, it was hard to manuever within my novel. I wanted something that I could minimize so I can expand/collapse my ideas, organize them into sequences, re-arrange my ideas, thoughts and gdocs isn't truly built like that. It was hard for me to organize gdocs especially when its also integrated into the other parts of my life like work and school. So, notion was really the one good thing where its easy to manage and I can even customize it to what is easy for me. Well, that's just my preference.
I don't think that's bad, I used to as well! I liked how it auto saves and I didn't have to worry about anything happening to my hard drive and wiping the project-- plus it's great for accessing on multiple devices!
hey great vid... check out thomas frank you tube vids and his second brain and content creator's package and community I'm sure it'll blow your MIND!!! I'm getting into self-publishing so would be keen to watch your process for turning words into books, in terms of page formatting, styles, etc. I presume scrivener is better for that?
You're not using any of the database power of Notion.... So why use Notion at all? If you want to use Notion to organise your characters and scènes, then at least make a Notion database for it so you can organise your stuff with labels and custom fields in any way you want, lol. :) This being said: Notion databases have no hierarchy. Scrivener DOES. It's basically a database for writing in an Outliner form. It's the best of both worlds. :)
--- Wow, another Simmer. I love The Sims. --- Another Wattpad user. Yea. Wattpad is very popular for amateur writers who want to share stories with the world.
I can't imagine a process less intuitive than what you are describing here. I am thinking that you main motivation has nothing to do with what you have said here. How exactly is this easier or more powerful or more intuitive than Scrivener? Seems like you are spending all of your time creating Notion structure. Now you are depending on a rather byzantine and fragile integration of two applications (Notion and Google Docs). Why is this advantageous? So you can sell templates? I use scrivener on both Mac and iPhone. No issues. Confused by all of this. "Notion I would say is super easy to learn!" What? Is Notion the new geek tattoo? A Who's From Whoville chest dot to show membership in the geek club? I thought that macaroni and cheese was sufficient for that.
