Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Cure for Writer's Block?

Dr. Wicked's Write or Die is a program available online which allows you to type some of your WIP, and then cut and paste it into your own file. But before you start, you declare your word/time goal. If you stop typing the screen turns red and if you don't start up quickly the computer starts making an unpleasant noise that you won't want to listen to and if you still don't get back to work . . . I don't think you die, but I doubt anyone's risked it. You can purchase a version with additional features for 10 bucks, but you'll want to see if it works for you before considering that.

12 comments:

Gabriela Lessa said...

Sounds lovely! It will definitely get people writing. Although I do fear a large number of suicide notes ending up on the screen...

Rebecca Christiansen said...

I love Write or Die! It's indispensable for NaNoWriMo.

Dave Fragments said...

That's really vile.

Mother (Re)produces. said...

Does EE hook himself up to 'electric shock' mode and then edit real slow? Enquiring minds want to know.

Anonymous said...

Evil, you ARE Dr. Wicked, right? I KNEW it! How do you think up these instruments of torture AND make ten US bucks a pop? So delicious. So wicked. So evil, Evil. Rubbing my hands in glee. Takes "vile" to a new triangulation. Congrats.
Best,
Bibi

Phoenix Sullivan said...

Hey, a non-sequitur: I popped a link in the comments yesterday on Eric's Pimp My Novel blog to the Hannah Rogers Lit Agency and I popped a link in Nathan Bransford's comments today to this site.

Speaking of Hannah, I noticed you edited her submissions to the one-sentence pitches only and deleted extranneous comments. Are you trying to see how many real submissions you can get on that site? You know you've gotta share the stats if so! That would be too funny. :o)

Evil Editor said...

I had no such plan. The original comments were on the home page; I moved them to the submissions page, but as I was moving them one at a time I decided it was too much trouble to move all of them. I'll probably go through the submissions periodically and cull out some so it doesn't become too lengthy. I'm not expecting serious submissions, as the site isn't included on any lists of agencies.

Shelli said...

I have tried suicide with Dr. Wicked's Write or Die, just to see what would happen. On kamikaze mode, if you stop, it starts erasing your words. Seriously, it sent me into a panic. If I love my project, I make sure I stay in gentle, forgiving mode.

Stacy said...

Is there a writing exercise this week? I can't seem to find it if there is.

Sylvia said...

I love Write or Die, I regularly use it for 5-15 minutes to get myself started. Suicide mode means I do NOT stare out the window under any circumstances. Seeing your words swallowed up whole is incredibly inspiring. I don't know what happens if you run out of words for it to eat...

Evil Editor said...

Writing exercises were suspended due to lack of participation. Possibly they'll return if enough people want them.

Stacy said...

Now that school's over, I have time to write them. I'll just keep an eye out in case they return. Thanks!