Every writer, every author, hits the wall some time … sometimes, lots of times. Oh, we can bring it all on ourselves, allowing and enabling a slew of distractions to create the detour. Or, some cosmic force comes into play—totally unexpected and totally uncontrollable. It’s called life, and yes, it does happen.
What happens if you routinely get waylaid … or you are on a true crunch deadline and you have got to get the chapter finished by tomorrow am or the book out the door within the next two weeks?
Are you a procrastinator? Do you need a nudge to get you, or keep you going? A gentle one … or an evil one? Here’s something that just might do the trick to pull you out of a funk and kick-start your fingers and mind.
It’s all here in the Write or Die app available for PCs and MACs for only $10 (www.WriteOrDie.com). You set the goals and the app taskmaster prods you along—it encourages your writing by punishing the tendency to avoid writing. Start typing in the box. As long as you keep typing, you’re fine, but once you stop typing, you have a grace period of a certain number of seconds and then there are consequences per the Write or Die folks:
- Gentle Mode: A certain amount of time after you stop writing, a box will pop up, gently reminding you to continue writing. Yes, a nice reminder works while I get my fifth cup of tea.
- Normal Mode: If you persistently avoid writing, you will be played a most unpleasant sound. Get ready to cover your ears. The sound will stop if and only if you continue to write. Ahhh, relief is at your fingertips—you knew this.
- Kamikaze Mode: Keep Writing or Your Work Will Unwrite Itself. The Kamikaze approach would make me cry, then throw-up!
Now, as you read this, didn’t it put a smile on your face? For ten bucks, this just might be the “pick your level” task master you’ve been looking for!
Judith Briles is known as The Book Shepherd a book publishing expert and coach. She is the Founder of Author U, a membership organization created for the serious author who wants to be seriously successful. She’s been writing about and conducting workshops on publishing since the 80s. Judith is the author of 31 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms (ForeWord Indie/Fab Book of the Year), Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers and a speaker at publishing conferences.
Become part of her inner circle by joining the Author’s Ark and exclusive monthly webinar and coaching event. Each summer, she holds Judith Briles Unplugged, a two and 1/2 day intensive limited to a small group of authors who want to be seriously successful. In 2015, the dates are August 27-29th. Her audio and workbook series, Creating Your Book and Author Platform is now available. Join Judith live on Thursdays at 6 p.m. EST for Author U – Your Guide to Book Publishing on the Toginet Network at http://tinyurl.com/AuthorURoadio. Follow @AuthorU and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” at AuthorU and Judith Briles – TheBookShepherd on Facebook. If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact Judith at Judith@Briles.com.