Discover Essential Resources and Unique Character Names

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Importing External Resources
   • Adding Photos to Describe Characters
   • Including Background Research
3. Organizing Files in Scrivener
4. Importing Images
   • Rotating Images
   • Renaming Image Files
5. Importing PDF Files
6. Using the Name Generator
   • Generating Names based on Origin
   • Creating a Shortlist of Names
7. Conclusion

Importing External Resources in Scrivener

In this tutorial, we will explore how to import external resources into Scrivener, a popular writing software. Importing external resources can greatly assist in the creative writing process, whether it be adding photos to visually describe characters or including background research for reference. We will also cover the steps to organize and manage these imported files within Scrivener.

1. Adding Photos to Describe Characters

One of the advantages of using Scrivener is the ability to visually depict characters within the software. To do this, you can import photos into the program and associate them with specific characters. By having visual references, you can better describe your characters' appearances and mannerisms. Here's how to add photos to your Scrivener project:

• Create a folder within the "Places" section of your project, dedicated to housing the photos related to your characters. Right-click on the "Places" section, select "Add," and then choose "New Folder." Give the folder an appropriate name, such as "Character Photos."
• Locate the photos you wish to import in your computer's file system. If you have reference photos saved specifically for a character, open a file explorer window and navigate to the folder where the photos are saved.
• Drag and drop the desired photos into the "Character Photos" folder within Scrivener. Once imported, the images will be organized and accessible within the dedicated folder.

Don't worry if the photos appear sideways or require a rotation. Right-click on the image within Scrivener, choose the "View" option, and select the desired orientation. You can also zoom in or out to get a better view of the photo.

2. Including Background Research

Incorporating background research into your writing process is crucial for creating a rich and authentic narrative. Scrivener allows you to import various file types, including PDFs, which are ideal for storing articles, research papers, or other documents related to your story. Here's how to include background research in your Scrivener project:

• Create a folder within the "Research" section of your project dedicated to background research. Right-click on the "Research" section, select "Add," and then choose "New Folder." Give the folder an appropriate name, such as "Background Research."
• Locate the PDF file or any other relevant research document on your computer. Open a file explorer window and navigate to the folder where the documents are saved.
• Drag and drop the desired file into the "Background Research" folder within Scrivener. The file will be imported and accessible within the dedicated folder.

Once imported, you can open the PDF files within Scrivener for reference. You can zoom in, zoom out, navigate through pages, and even copy and paste specific information into your manuscript.

Organizing Files in Scrivener

Organizing your files within Scrivener is crucial for maintaining a structured and efficient writing process. Scrivener provides various organizational features for managing your imported resources, such as images and research documents. By keeping everything well-organized, you can easily access and reference your files without the need for external folders on your computer.

To maintain a clean and categorized project structure, it is essential to create separate folders within Scrivener for different types of resources. For example, you can have specific folders for character-related files, setting descriptions, plot outlines, and more. By dividing your project into these sections, you can quickly locate and manage your resources as needed.