Do You Write 750 Words Per Day?

Because almost every website I know and love has been found via Twitter, it’s no surprise my new obsession was due to a tweet by my new pal, Amy.

I’ve heard of writing 750 words per day via my college roommate and her obsession with The Artist’s Way, but I could never really get into it. Mostly because I hand write slowly and, like most people, I lose incentive over time.

Enter the super cool website, 750 Words, a place that’s “private, unfiltered, spontaneous, daily”.

I sat down to write my first “entry” and the words flew by. It’s sort of depressing, but I’m more used to typing than writing by hand. And while I love gorgeous journals and there’s nothing more inspiring than a blank page and subsequent book filled with your scribblings, it’s much more sustainable to journal-write online than in a book.

But the real treat came after writing that first entry.

I got points!

And stats!

At work, we’ve been talking about gamification (yes, it’s a real word), and how the concept of point systems and prizes, even if entirely virtual, can make a campaign. I won’t bore you with the details here, but it’s hugely inpisiring and Buster, the guy behind 750 Words, has got this strategy down pat.

You get points for every entry you write, which further convinces you to write. You can see a calendar with days checked off for when you’ve participated, and you get rewarded for every post with stats about your entry!

Instead of writing a paragraph on the cool features, check out the pretty graphs for my first entry:

It get’s better….

Apparently I’m really concerned with food. And myself. Surprise, surprise.

To top it all off, you get a list of most-used words. Keep in mind I’ve chosen the day with the “cleanest” language:

I couldn’t love this site more. It’s easy to use, you get badges and geeky info and it’s pretty. Plus, you get daily email reminders, which has guilted me into participating when I’m not in the mood.

I’ve done it four times now (though not in a row) and I’m already feeling like I’ve not only accomplished something, but had two epiphanies while writing. Something about being able to get your words out fast has such an impact on what comes out.

While I was singing it’s praises to a friend, she mentioned another, similar site, that deletes your words if you don’t write fast enough (can’t for the life of me remember the name). How awesome for when you’re on deadline? Anyone else tried this site or make a habit of writing 750 words a day?

(Note: I haven’t been paid or harassed into promoting it, I’m just in love.)

Tagged as: 750 words, great websites, reviews, stats, writing