Writers write. This is perhaps the most common maxim in the writer's lexicon, which sounds kind of stupid because of course writers write. Right? (Too many homonyms?)
Wrong!
Unfortunately, there are many writers out there for whom the actual writing is last on the list. Now, for some, this is due to family/life/work obligations, things they can't really help. Okay. But for others, the problem is distraction -- email, facebook, twitter, blog, email again just in case.* You get the picture. (Procrastination! says the former Queen of Procrastinationland. Or it could just be bad habits, who knows?)
Lucky for us, there are tools to help. There are hardware options like the Alphasmart Neo, software solutions like Freedom, and downloadable solutions like Write or Die (which is just plain fun).
And then there are solutions like the one I gave my son last night. It's been kicking around for a while. Maybe you've even seen it before. Nonetheless.
He'd been begging for the computer all night to catch up on his NaNoWriMo word count. The problem is that once he logs in, he can't seem to keep himself off the NaNo site. He updates his word count more often than he types actual words. He craves the reward.
He also loves cats.
Solution? Written Kitten. Oh yes. Go check it out. (Unless you're Julie, then you probably should stay away. The rest of you? Clicky the linky and enjoy.)
What do you do to motivate yourself?
*This isn't generally a problem for me. When I manage to carve out writing time, woe betide the one who disturbs me.
Oh Delia, that's wonderful! I even wrote 100 brand new words! I'm keeping that.
ReplyDeleteDoes it work for your son?
I love Written Kitten! I found Write or Die to be very stressful (VERY!) but Written Kitten is adorable and useable. That said, this also isn't a huge problem for me, at least not now.
ReplyDeleteHanna mentioned it on FB (where oh where did I go wrong with those children?) but I stayed away from that link too. Hello?! CATS!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the warning, won't even be tempted to peek. (GAH! :: shudder ::)
So glad your team kicked ass last night too!
Julie
@Skye, YAY!!!! I'm so happy to hear you got some words out.
ReplyDelete@Amber, I wonder what it says about me that Write or Die works far better for me than Written Kitten. ;)
@Julie, Don't worry, you don't get a kitten until you've written. There are no kitten ambushes. ;)
as you can tell, i am catching up om my Delia-ness this evening.
ReplyDelete1st of all it is just plain MEAN to give me a link to that site and then i have to write 100 words to see what happens. i mean really. rudeness. :)
and 2nd...i honestly have to say i am my own worst enemy with staying on task. sometimes i make a list cuz nothing annoys me more than having a list and not having it crossed off. sometimes that helps. sometimes it get buried in the bottom of my purse.... i dunno what keeps me on task. that is a great question. coffee and being warm does help. :)
now i am going to copy and past all this into 'the kitty' and go on from there. :)
@Magoo, LOL How'd your copy/pasting go?
ReplyDeletepretty darn good!!! my comment was over 100 words! Who knew?!
ReplyDeleteI totally wrote a hundred words just to see a kitten. lol
ReplyDelete@Magoo, See? You're more verbose than you thought.
ReplyDelete@London, Kitten! You know, you get a new kitten if you do another hundred. ;p