This is how I’m using Scrivener right now and how it’s improving my work.
I create one blank new document and go into fullscreen. I just go, writing out what I want to write out in varying levels of detail.
That is, of course, a long and unwieldy bit of writing. I cut it up into documents for each of the logical chunks (scenes, I guess). I use the corkboard view to summarize each scene, and then I go into each of those documents and write/re-write the scene at a more consistent level of detail. Some scenes get axed, some get added.
This is my favorite part: when I’m done re-writing the scenes, I go back and re-do the synopses and scene titles. It’s a process that helps a lot with what I’m worst at: summarizing the story in a succinct, interesting way and identifying themes and arcs. Plus I can print out the synopsis/outline and share it with my collaborators, who can help me with the broad story (I’m better at detail and colour).
I fiddle some more, and usually end up with a “first draft” I can show to people. I let that sit for a while, and when I come back to it for the second draft, everything’s organized neatly and is easy to improve upon.
I’ll bet I could have done this with paper… except I haven’t been, and now I’m using Scrivener. So, you know, yay Scrivener!