Looks like I been done tagged, Brandiwyn🎶 .

Scrivener is awesome!

That's the short line about how I feel about it. The longer is this. It's like any other good program in that it has options so you can customize how you use it. On one level that's great for an old-time user of it but newbies can really get overwhelmed quickly. My advice is to do as you did. Grab the trial version and then open the tutorial project. It's a great introduction to the entire program. It doesn't cover everything and doesn't explain every way you can put it to use but it covers all the basics. I even find myself going back to the tutorial once in a while because I don't remember how something particular is done. That being said I would also advise you to stick to the minimum because you are doing your first project with it. When you do the tutorial scribble down a couple of the things that intrigue you and ignore the others that seem too much for what you have planned.

Right now, for the NaNo Prep I am just throwing things in the research section of a default novel with chapters template. I just created a single item in there for each day's Prep entry. I can see some taking up multiple items as Prep goes on so I could either create a sub-folder or just a stack of separate items. I haven't decided yet. Then when November rolls around I'll start my writing in the manuscript section of this same scrivener file. Then when I compile it all into a single document to get reviewed by either myself or someone else the only stuff that gets compiled in the manuscript stuff. All of the project stuff stays in the file but it creates a new liner file that can be read from start to finish. Also, when you do the compile it takes everything in the manuscript section and puts it in the right format for submission to publishers as it makes the single file. No more messing around with that pain in the rear, tedious stuff. All you have to do is the writing bit that you like.

There are other things I like in it. Places and characters can be put in their own sections for easy finding later. There are default templates for these things as well. I like to customize the templates. They don't fit me too well as is and the tutorial shows how to edit them and how to make new templates if you would like ones for different purposes.

Anyway, if you have other questions let me know. I may be able to figure them out and post a solution for you.

Good luck with your Prep.

Jedi Moose