I’ve been looking for ways to write more and better. Since my last “proper” piece, blogging has been one false start after another where I would embark on an idea but fail to develop it beyond much more than a handful of catchy phrases wrapped up in fillers.
I did, however, stumble upon the practice of free writing where you suspend all inhibitions (editorial or otherwise) and simply write whatever comes to mind for a set period of time. Along the way I found Dangerous Writing App and Nothing to Say. Both employ similar techniques to keep you writing, with the severest consequence being the complete deletion of your text if you stop writing for more than five seconds. I rose to their challenges and found that I could write Dangerously and I did have Something to say.
So that was fun. But I wanted something that could help me develop a habit, which led me to 4thewords. Rather than once-off writing sprints against a ticking timer, 4thewords cleverly frames the practice of writing in an extensive RPG experience where you defeat monsters by writing some amount of words within an allotted amount of time.
Defeating monsters earns you loot, increases your experience points and helps you progress on various quests. There’s also a daily streak tracker, bright casino-esque colours and animations, equipment that help you “fight” more effectively, and a fantasy character that you can customise with spoils from your battles.
I was skeptical at first, but having just completed the “Sign of the Times” side quest that required a ten-day streak of 444 words a day and 10,000 words in total, I think it works.
While only a fraction of what I write in their quaint little word processor will ever see the light of day, writing is writing. I’m hoping, over time, the consistent reps will increase my ability to elaborate and wordify ideas that I come upon. We’ll see.