Write Attack!: How to Write More and Write Better
Discover how Write Attack! motivates you to write efficiently by setting word count goals and burning unfinished drafts, turning writing into an engaging challenge.
Starting to write is often the hardest part of creating any text. Overcoming procrastination can be challenging. We've previously shared tips from author Stephen King and how to plan your writing like professional authors. Today, we introduce Write Attack!, a unique program designed to motivate you to type a set number of words within a specific timeframe. If you don’t meet your goal, Write Attack! dramatically burns your draft, encouraging you to start over with renewed determination.
The interface is intentionally simple, focused solely on one task – writing. You get a large text input window, a countdown timer, buttons to “Set Target” and “Start Writing,” and information about remaining words to type. Adding a fun element, a pixelated 8-bit companion—such as a dinosaur, frog, turtle, or quirky monster—visually reflects your writing progress by showing happiness, exertion, or disappointment if you fall short.
To begin, click the “Set Targets” button at the bottom right corner to customize your word count and time limit. Write Attack! suggests realistic typing speeds and automatically adjusts the time based on your word goal. For example, choosing 100 words sets a 5-minute timer after pressing “Suggest Word Count.” Alternatively, if you want to dedicate 20 minutes, the program recommends a 300-word goal. There’s also a NaNoWriMo icon for those familiar with the challenge of writing 1,667 words in 120 minutes. The core idea is to break large writing tasks into manageable, exciting challenges.
Remember, mornings are optimal for writing since your mind is fresh, distractions are minimal, and focus is at its peak – as highlighted by LifeHacker.ru’s article “Write in the Morning.”
Once your goal is set, hit “Start” and begin typing. Notably, copy-pasting is disabled during the session, and the save button remains inactive until you reach your target through genuine typing. This ensures you write your content from scratch, right here and now. After completing the goal, the “Save” option activates (top left), allowing you to save your work as a TXT file, resume using shortcuts like Ctrl+C, and keep your companion happy.
How does Write Attack! perform in practice? On my first attempt, I didn’t reach the 200-word goal within 10 minutes; the virtual paper caught fire and my work vanished. Although frustrating, it sparked my curiosity to try again. Subsequent sessions went smoother, and I managed to meet my word targets consistently.
In conclusion, Write Attack! isn’t ideal for crafting articles that develop over time or require deep reflection, as some topics demand weeks of focused thought and incremental note-taking. Bloggers may find it insufficient for detailed editing, formatting, or inserting images and links, which require tools like Windows Live Writer or similar editors. Nevertheless, Write Attack!’s innovative approach to stimulating creativity deserves high praise. Many thanks to Joel Davis for this inspiring tool!
Download Write Attack! (Windows, 3.5 MB)
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