Comments on: Distraction-Free Writing (or, How Even Old Writing Dogs Can Learn New Tricks)

By: Anil Atluri

Anil Atluri — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 17:47:47 +0000

Thank you, Tom.
I am sure Q10 is going to help me run from a trot..

By: Tom Chandler

Tom Chandler — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:03:17 +0000

Alan Carr: What I want is something with my swipe files down one side, my notes about the specific project down the other and the salesletter in the middle…

That's the polar opposite of a clean screen editor, but it's also something of a holy grail for writers. I've heard good things about Scrivener (Mac only) and its ability to keep research handy while writing, but don't know if anything similarly successful has come into being for Windows.

By: Alan Carr

Alan Carr — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:27:27 +0000

I’ve recently downloaded ‘Liquid story binder’, not for the lack of anything but for the ability to have multiple thingies open at once!

Unfortunately I haven’t had time to really explore it, so the demo will probably run out before I can decide.

What I want is something with my swipe files down one side, my notes about the specific project down the other and the salesletter in the middle…

If I have to minimise Word (I use Open Office, which I hate but damned if I’ll spend $$$ on Word) then invariably I’ll find myself browsing through emails, forums, news etc.

The other software I’m using is ‘Chaos Intellect’, as a replacement for Outlook. Handy for building up complete files on my clients, complete with schedules etc.

On the main topic, yes, I agree 100% that focussing on only one task at a time works best. You simply get more done like that, and you know it’s done right.

Alan C

By: Apparently, Finishing Things a New Online “Trend” (or, Singletasking??) | The Copywriter Underground

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:02:42 +0000

[...] That’s why I tend to post here in spurts (when I’m busy, I’m busy), and why I find myself writing more and more using “clean screen” writing tools. [...]

By: Tom Chandler

Tom Chandler — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 17:25:36 +0000

Russell: The XT machine look. Heavens!

Hey, we successfully avoided the "PC Jr" look. Whatever it takes to get it all done...

By: Russell

Russell — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 22:02:00 +0000

The XT machine look. Heavens! Russell’s last blog post..Renew tax credits now!

By: Tom Chandler

Tom Chandler — Thu, 21 May 2009 00:48:35 +0000

Matt: I’ve been mucking around with text editors trying to find the right one to keep me focused, but this is a major leap forward!

Give 'em a try, though recognize they're best viewed as a starting point for getting words written. Only wish I could get Q10 running on Linux (a no-go with Wine).

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 20 May 2009 19:32:01 +0000

Wow! I had never seen programs like these before. I’ve been mucking around with text editors trying to find the right one to keep me focused, but this is a major leap forward! Thanks, Tom.

By: Vadim P.

Vadim P. — Tue, 19 May 2009 17:25:59 +0000

PyRoom is open-source; it can never be ‘orphaned’. At least, the speed of development will continue, or might even get new masters when old go away. Better than really getting something orphaned.

Besides, it’s not like there’s a new Word version every two years. Old ones go get orphaned.

By: Roberta Rosenberg

Roberta Rosenberg — Tue, 19 May 2009 14:54:43 +0000

Um, don't I have to be a user before I'm branded as a turncoat? Or am I just splitting the proverbial hair ... just saying. Roberta Rosenberg’s last blog post..Action Success Summit 2009 - Grab the Maven and her mp3