Review: Write Or Die, Desktop Edition

Anyone looking for extra writing motivation should check out Write Or Die: Desktop Edition. I checked out an early online-only version of Write or Die and thought it was cute but not something I would use very often.

This new desktop version, however, is definitely a tool I can see using regularly. Because it’s a desktop version, you’ll be writing WITHOUT the distraction of the Internet. The reward/punishment (ok, more punishment ) system keeps you focused on your writing. You can vary the amount of pressure by changing the type of “punishment”, word goal, and time goal.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, you can even do a Word War (online competitive writing with another player).

I love the fact that you can SEE your progress bar change as you write as your time limit clock progresses, that you can choose custom sounds, and that you can append the text you’ve written to a current file. The fact that it was written by someone who calls himself Dr. Wicked just adds to the appeal.

I’m going to try this out during NaNoWriMo in November. If it works for me, I’m going to use it for my regular writing as well. My goals in using this software: focused writing away from the Internet, plus seeing if setting short-term goals (certain number of words in a certain number of minutes) will help boost my productivity. I’ll post a follow-up after I’ve had a chance to use Write Or Die a while.

You can buy the Desktop Edition of Write Or Die online for $10 using Paypal.