Tech matters: These tried and tested applications will get you procrastinating less and writing more.
Write or Die
Program developer and sadist Dr Wicked has come up with an application designed to bust your writer’s block. Write or Die delivers pretty much what its name suggests – a tough love approach that I would best describe as slightly terrifying. Write or Die operates on a punishment principle, allowing you to select your level of penance, from low level annoying to full-blown Kamikaze. The app begins with visual warnings when you stop writing, progressing to abrasive sounds and alarms. The third and final stage of kamikaze mode will see your words slowly deleting themselves off the page if you don’t keep typing. It is motivational scare-tactics at their most effective.
Focus Keeper
One of many apps that employ the Pomodoro tech- nique, Focus Keeper delivers exactly what it promises. Yo u c o m m i t t o 2 5 m i n u t e s o f p rod u c t i v e w r i t i n g – watching the countdown timer on your phone – and then the chime tells you to take a five minute break. Good in theory, right? The free version of the app doesn’t allow you to choose how many hours you’re committ ing to write for or what sounds indicate it’s time to go pee – going pro for $2.99 lets you choose your pace and gives you access to “10 premium ticking sounds” and “13 beautiful alarm sounds”. Ignoring the fact that I never did see myself achieve TALK12/12 stages present in the free version – the Pomodoro technique did make me more productive and got me moving around in my five minute breaks.
Trello
Whether you’re a Type A Personality or trying to orga- nise a group production schedule, this clever app is worth adding to your writ ing ut ility toolbox. Trello lets you organise your thoughts by making lists in an intuitive and creative way. Designed to be used individ- ually or collaboratively, the app is perfect for working in a group environment or managing your personal Schedule. For someone with multiple projects on the run at any one time, Trello is a great way to keep all your deadlines at your fingertips. For chronic to-do-ers and those with organisational aspirations, Trello is a great anti-procras- tination tool.
Coach Me
If you need help staying accountable with forming a new habit – whether it is to get fit, learn a language or write more every day – this app can help. It lets you join a group of people all starting a similar habit and then track the days you did this task. You can also ask questions of the other group members and see how they are tracking as well. So far this is free, though there is also a paid option where you get a coach who you can message for help. Coaches also check in on you and offer advice, tips and tricks. I have only tested the free component of the app and I have to say it is useful, as you know that there are other people taking on the same challenge, and you can set reminders for what you are trying to accomplish. It worked for me. I have been reading more as a result of using it, so this one’s a winner.
Relax Melodies
If you’re looking for an app that’ll help you concen- trate and finally finish your writing project, then Relax Melodies isn’t it. With dozens of sounds that users can customise to layer different tracks, the app promises to help users relax and concentrate on the task at hand. But Relax Melodies fails spectacularly to achieve this goal, predominantly because the sound asraen’t, well, relaxing. Rather than soothing the soul, the rain sounds are incredibly loud and abrasive, while the orchestral sounds are more ominous than comforting. There are several tracks specifically designed for focusing, but these are either too distracting or so quiet that you forget it’s even on. I wouldn’t even recommend this app for sleeping as most of the sounds are downright terrifying (who wants to listen to a vacuum cleaner or a monk chanting to fall asleep). 1/10 and wouldn’t recommend.