Write or Die: is that this the instrument that can defeat your procrastination for good?
Do you love to write but find it difficult to be productive while working on your book? Have you tried the Write or Die app to stay focused?
Write or Die is a writing app that uses various tools to keep you focused and productive during scheduled writing sessions.
Not everyone likes limitations when working on a book, but those who find the accountability factor often a game changer to actually hit their word count.
If you are but haven't found the perfect tool to help with your procrastination pitfalls, Write or Die could be the answer.
It was for me what I will explain in more detail in this post.
How writing or dying made my writing time more productive
I'll be the first to admit I have problems procrastinating.
It is much easier to dream and think about all the amazing, brilliant things you want to write than to actually write them.
Nowadays, with most of the writing done on a computer screen, so much distraction is readily available. As I write this article, I feel the need to check social media, read a blog, or re-watch the one video I found from a clip from a Japanese stage musical. The one with criminal teenagers with a really cool pop and lock routine.
The fact that I did all of these things less than an hour ago doesn't matter. Distraction is paramount.
Distraction is easy because there are no consequences. Most of us are not full-time paid writers, and word writing depends on our ability to discipline ourselves.
Nobody is going to berate us for watching a video every fifty words or for losing interest and postponing our stories until tomorrow because we "just don't feel it today". Without consequences, we have no pressure to write, no matter how well our intentions are meant. This is where the Write or Die app comes in.
Before we start I want to point out that I wasn't paid for this review. This is a tool that I have benefited from and that you may or may not benefit from.
When we talk about writing productivity, I firmly believe that there is a "system" – a set of tools and methods that work together to complete your writing and can be reused from one story or book to the next.
Write or Die is part of my system and I am writing this post because I think this could benefit your writing process as well. Read on to find out if it could become a part of you.
Write or Die Review: What's Inside?
Write or Die can be found at writeordie.com. The tool is easy to use and relatively intuitive.
On the left you can set your own session goals, e.g. For example, how long you want to write, how many words you want to write in that time, and how much leeway you want to give yourself as you slow down.
On the right is a record of the words you wrote over time, the time you spent writing, and the number of times you received your consistency.
The consequences you will receive can be set positive or negative. The free standard episode is the screen going red as the app yells at you like a runaway freight train, which I find very effective on its own.
If you need that extra motivation, activate Kamikaze mode with the big red button. Once activated, Kamikaze mode will delete your writing if you stop typing after the preset grace period has expired.
If that doesn't keep you moving, nothing will.
Write or Die Pricing
The web app itself is free to use (a big advantage over many tools).
It should be noted that the app is still in continuous development and some of the features, such as: B. Different types of positive and negative audio and visual consequences, are only available in the paid option.
Fortunately, the price is pretty low, with PC and Mac versions for ten dollars and the iOS version for an extremely reasonable dollar.
How I make writing or dying work for me
Every day when it's time to write, the first thing I do is set my favorite background noise. For many people, this can be soothing music, a specific playlist of songs, or some type of white or brown noise.
To me, this is most likely a TLC reality show. My current favorite is "600lb Life".
Once I'm comfortable, I'll open Write or Die and set up a session.
After some experimentation, I've found that my best "sprint" is fifteen minutes long, with a goal of six hundred words, a number I can hit a little more often than not.
As a visual person, I like to have a live clock and word count in front of me. While avoiding punishment is definitely a drive, I enjoy watching the clock tick down as the number of words increases, and urge myself to step up the pace as the latter falls behind the former.
Once the time is up, I'll copy what I've written and paste it into my main Google Drive document.
On an average day, I can capture about 1-2,000 words in two or three sessions. On a particularly good day, I can have five or six sessions and write over 3,000 words. No matter how often I hear it, this freight train yelling at me through headphones keeps me distracted.
I've tried many writing motivational apps over the years, and nothing has kept me up to date as consistently as Write or Die.
Sometimes it is enough to hold you accountable to meet your writing goals and pull you back on the page like this app can do.
"
The Write or Die app has become an integral part of some authors' systems. It could keep you focused and productive in ways that hesitation will never make you write before.
Why Writing or Dying Might Not be the Right Tool for You
While I'm a huge fan of the tool, I have to be honest that it may not be for everyone. Here are some reasons this app might not work for you:
1. Consequences don't work for everyone
The screeching sound used by default in the app can be annoying to many people, and the reward sounds can become nuisance.
While it serves as motivation for me, the principle under which the app works can become a distraction in itself for some people.
So, if you're a writer who prefers to work in silence rather than sound cues, you probably prefer a different form of writing responsibility.
2. Pressure can hinder creativity
To avoid consequences, you may be typing nonsense to avoid the inconvenience that may arise.
Nowadays I usually follow a pretty detailed book plan so even under pressure I know what part and what scene to work on. But if you are a panther you can panic and be uncreative when the clock is running.
Some people make a living from pressure, but if pressure makes you anxious instead of being productive, you give yourself long periods of time. But make sure you are disciplined if you work during this period (I recommend turning your internet off).
3. Associating writing with punishment can be uncomfortable
The fact is, writing is supposed to be an enjoyable experience. Why write if it doesn't make you happy?
When you start associating your writing with unpleasant stimuli and dreading it, the entire purpose of the app is ruined.
Here's what I recommend: Try the Write or Die app. When you leave the session and feel excited and proud of your productivity, repeat the next day! When you walk away from yourself disappointed, look for alternative forms of accountability to help you overcome your procrastination.
Tools like the Write or Die app can motivate you (and keep you productive)
The Write or Die app is a unique approach to keeping writers focused and motivated during their writing sessions. Sensory tools like audio cues and visual aids like clocks that reduce the time set for your writing session can inspire you to focus on writing.
Writing the first or even second draft of your book doesn't have to be a perfect manuscript. If you worry about trying to get every writing session and the work done during that job perfect, it is likely to hurt your productivity and confidence more than anything.
Giving apps like Write or Die a chance won't hurt you in the long run. And, if anything, you might find that it is the perfect book for getting you to write your story to the end.
And if not? There are other forms of accountability that can help you focus as you write. If you are, you might be interested to check out some of these other posts on how to become a prolific writer:
But for me, I love Write or Die.
It has taken me through numerous bouts of writer's block and kept me posted as the deadlines approached. Even if you have any doubts whether it would work for you, I highly recommend that you try it at least once.
It could be just what finally hits your hesitant demon.
Have you tried out Write or Die and enjoyed it? Or do you have another writing app that you prefer? Let us know in the comments.
WORK OUT
Try the Write or Die app! Download the app and set your timer for 15 minutes. If you need a prompt for a practice writing session, consider one of the following ideas:
- Crime Scene: A detective appears to investigate the scene of a dead man who does not have a murder weapon.
- Love scene: a new girl arrives at school and steals the attention (and heart) of the most popular girl in school.
- Coming of Age: A small town teenager catches his father with another woman skipping basketball practice.
Write quickly so your words don't get deleted! When you're done, post your writing practice in the comments below, and don't forget to leave feedback for your note-takers.
J. D. Edwin
