For the sake of doing things differently, I suppose

Here we are, just past the one-year mark of the blog, and on the cusp of embarking on my stated goal — a potentially year-long novel writing project — and I’m switching things up unnecessarily.

For years, I’ve used Scrivener (mostly the iPad version) to do all my writing. So far, I’ve completed first drafts for two novels that way. But I kinda felt I’d like to see if I could find a better way to do things… and I’m not sure why. Scrivener is good software, don’t get me wrong — and it’ll still be part of my process — but somehow I found myself in the App Store looking for a better way to skin Schrödinger’s digital cat.

My expedition gave me two options that looked good: Fortelling and Novelist. I gave both a look-over and decided on the latter. I do feel it’s the better option feature-wise, and it helps that it is free, not just in the cost of download, but there are no in-app purchases or subscriptions, and no, not even any ads either.

So here we go. Two days until the Great Experiment sets sail. I had intended to get some last-minute outlining/planning in, but I’m lazy and have ADHD. But I feel good. A little nervous, but still good.

This novel has proven to be a story that’s very difficult to tell. I’ve tried again and again, and haven’t had the best results. But this story has been with me too long to just throw away. I try again. And again. As many times as it takes.

As a great philosopher used to say, “This time for sure, presto!”