So many distractions exist in our world today, from our phones and computer to class assignments and projects that need to be done in the near future. Of course, there are times when writing can be its own distraction, but I can certainly say that I find it easier to distract myself from writing than with it. The modern world has become a constant form of stimulation for each of the senses, drawing attention away from tasks like writing that require both concentration and focus.
Thanks to the development of new computer programs and internet applications, however, there are many ways out there to keep your prose a priority. Although some of them may cost a few extra dollars, the programs can still be worth it in the long run if you write regularly or need the extra encouragement in order to stay focused on your work. Here’s a list of tools that I find especially helpful:
[list icon=”icon: coffee” icon_color=”#663221″]
- Written? Kitten!— This is a free website that I use often for both free-writing and school assignments. The site uses the idea of positive reinforcement for the words that you write. In this case, that means for every 100, 200, 500 or 1000 words that you
write, you are rewarded with the picture of a kitten. - SelfControl— SelfControl is a great tool to help you focus on writing, particularly if you find yourself easily distracted by social media sites or online games while you work. The computer program is free to download and allows you to set a timer and make a list of certain websites that you tend to distract you while you work. Once the timer starts, these websites are blocked and remain this way until the time is up, even if you delete the app.
- Ommwriter— This is a wonderfully simple application for both computers and smartphones tablets and is designed to limit distractions that appear on your screen. The window for the app is simply your words and nothing else, displayed on a peaceful grey background with a small tree in one corner. The application itself is free, but for more backgrounds and ambience there are available purchases on the website.
- Write or Die— Another website, Write or Die is a slightly scarier version of Written? Kitten!.
Rather than encouraging you with pictures of kittens, this site threatens to play annoying sounds or even delete your words if you stop writing for a specified period of time. This website can also be downloaded as a computer application, though this costs $20. Still, it can be a worthy investment for someone who needs a bit more motivation than most to keep their mind on the task of writing. - Hanx Writer— For those of you who prefer to write on a tablet or smartphone, Hanx Writer is another wonderful tool to help you focus on writing. The app turns your device’s keyboard into a typewriter complete with the various clicks and dings of the real thing. It also allows you to copy and paste the text into an email, text message, or some other application if necessary and is free to download (although it does have in-app purchases for buying extra pages or the ability to save your work within the app).
[divider top=”no” style=”double” margin=”25″] [box title=” Today’s Excerpt: ” style=”glass” box_color=”#431505″ title_color=”#e7e2da”] “The barn was almost silent as we worked except for the cacophony of raindrops on the tin roof above us, each plink of water on metal reverberating until it was eventually drowned out by others. The noise and tedious work didn’t frustrate me, however. Surprisingly, I found myself grinning instead, thankful for the time I had simply to bond with Legs.
Finishing with her hooves, I stood up quickly, coming face to face with the mare. I stood there for a moment, gazing into the deep brown of her eye and wondering at the wisdom it seemed to contain. I felt her hot breath on my face as her nostrils flared, her ears perking towards me in curiosity.
‘Hey Legs,’ I cooed, petting her soft muzzle and feeling her lips graze my fingertips in search of food. I laughed, petting her one more time before turning back to my pile of sodden tack. Sighing, I crouched down, heaving it into my arms before heading off to the tack room.
In truth, the only pieces of tack I could actually hang up were my girth and bridle since the rest of it was still soaked. As I passed through the human aisle, I slung the still damp saddle pad and saddle over one of the railings, popping into the tack room to put up the rest of the tack before returning with a dry cloth. I moved to sit next to Sophia, pulling my saddle onto my lap and beginning to pat it dry. Apart from a friendly smile in each other’s direction, neither of us said anything to each other—we didn’t need to. Dabbing at the leather with the rag, we were content just focusing on the task at hand, the warmth and coziness of the barn surrounding us like a cocoon that kept us safe from the hard rain pelting the world just outside.”
[/box] By Nicole Schroeder
