Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Dr. Wicked this Way Comes!





Most of us who blog, sooner or later, run smack dab into writer's block. That wall, white washed of its graffiti, is blank, dreamless and uninspired. Well, no more. Meet Dr. Wicked! I recently had the pleasure. Well, really it's more like having a rectal thermometer placed between your double-lobed, butt-cracked glutes than a pleasure. But, all the same, he's good for your writing health.

The esteemed doctor's practice is located at the cyber-streets of Write or Die. It is here that he puts the 'Prod' in your productivity. Dr. Wicked gets you flossing out the creative bits that get trapped between the teeth of your over thinking, procrastinating head.

You write in a text box which is not a word processor. There are no editing tools in the on-line version, which is free. This exercise is designed to separate the writing and the editing processes. The only way to save your work is to copy and paste it into your own text editing program.

These are the available functions:

Grace Period:
Forgiving
Strict
Evil

Consequences:
Gentle Mode
Normal Mode
Kamikaze Mode
Electric Shock Mode

First, select a specific time frame, or a word count, as your goal for the session. Next, start typing. In Kamikaze Mode, if you quit typing for too long, you lose all your words. I'm not sure what happens in Electric Shock Mode. I tried to select it but the function was not available. Maybe it comes with the down loadable, desktop version that has more capabilities, including editing and blog posting, for $10.

This web application is about instilling in the writer the fear of not writing by using the principles of Operant Conditioning and Negative Reinforcement. In Negative Reinforcement, a behavior becomes stronger because a negative condition is avoided or discontinued because of the behavior. So, as long as you continue writing, you will not be punished.

In my first attempt, I didn't even have a subject in mind. I just started typing a flow of consciousness. What ever words popped into my mind, I recorded. I produced nearly 700 words in 20 minutes and, yes, I can use much of it for at least one completed piece.

In my second attempt, I needed an ending to a story I am writing for contest submission. My story is done but the ending is weak. I could not get the conclusion to read with the impact of my internalized version. I set the timer for 10 minutes and, bingo, I had over 300 words and the meat of my new ending. As far as writing and creativity are concerned, it is the best 30 minutes I've ever spent.

Go see the doctor, he's got the prescription for what ails ya!

27 comments:

Reya Mellicker said...

THis is hilarious!

Love the different levels. What a hoot!

Brian Miller said...

oh my...
i am scared of rectal thermometers...
but i must chek this out.

Kate Hanley said...

This sounds wild, I must check this out. By the way, Happy New Year and Blogaversary!

Megan said...

Ha! I will check it out!

Stacy Post said...

Maybe this will get my booty into faster action? Thanks for sharing, Ronda. I love discovering new ways to motivate the writing!

CiCi said...

Well, I think you are already a good writer, so if you say you found something that helps you be a better writer, it must really be special. I will check it out on your recommendation.

DUTA said...

At this stage, I'm not ready for this Mr. Wicked and the new Web application. But you go ahead Ronda and give a boost to your writing creativity!

Ed & Jeanne said...

Writer's block...is that a neighborhood?

Ronda Laveen said...

Reya: Aren't the level names wild? It is a fun site.

Brian: If you're quick enough, you stay just ahead of that thermometer.

Kate: Thanks. I hope your new year is going well. I think you'll like Dr. Wicked.

Megan: Yeah, check it out and let me know what you think.

Stacy: Yes, Dr. Wicked gets your booty moving ahead of his metaphorical whip quite nicely.

Ronda Laveen said...

TechnoBabe: Will you? Yes, let me know what you think.

DUTA: I've read your posts. Despite what you think, you are ready. But I'll keep visiting him until you show up.

VE: Yes...often quite a large one.

Dorraine said...

Dr. Wicked is one creative idea! What a scream. A great way to get the ole writing flowing. Thanks for the heads up on this, Ronda.

And great to hear that your writing is on the move. Can't wait to see what you've created. Best of luck with that contest!

Mrsupole said...

Maybe that place will help me with my mojo thingy. But I will have to check it out soon. Right now I am too sick to even try. And your writing is always great so if you say this helps then that is great too.

Keep warm and stay well.

God bless.

PS...and you know I will be able to just crank out meaningless sentences for hours. Must of been all those years of typing lessons where you just type meaningless things. But then again....

Mike said...

I never have writers block, just lack of time!!! It is very frustrating!

Ronda Laveen said...

Dorraine: I think you'll kick the Dr.'s cyber tushie with your writing. Give 'im a go. Thanks for the good luck wish on the contest. It is the first one I've tried for but there is another entry due soon for another contest.

Sherry: Your sentences are more full of meaning than you believe them to be. Always encouragement, love and wisdom in your words. Sending healing energy your way and hope you are soon on the mend and posting again.

Ronda Laveen said...

Otin: Dorraine showed me where to find all kinds of contests. I hope you will soon start entering yours. You have so many that they just fly off of your keyboard.

Michael said...

Oh my goodness, I would be hopefully lost then with my typing skills!

Speaking of submissions, will you be doing Creative Tuesdays this go round? I so hope so. Thank you, Ronda.

JGH said...

thanks! Now that is a different approach! And a little bit terrifying. Still, I'm going to save that link for when I need, as you put it, a PROD! LOL

Lorenzo — Alchemist's Pillow said...

Wow, sounds diabolical, but just might work. I'll give it a try some time.

Joanna Jenkins said...

What a hoot! I'm off to check it out.
Thanks for the tip.
xo

Ronda Laveen said...

Mmm: With Dr. Wicked, you don't have to type lightening fast, you just have to keep pluggin' away. Creative Tuesday? I don't know anything about it. I'll check it out and see if I can get it together in time. Thanks.

JGH: Yes, it is a totally different approach and one that, at least for me, works.

Lorenzo: Diabolical! Yes! That is exactly the correct word for Dr. Wicked.

Joanna: I hope you like the good doctor.

Dorraine said...

Not sure about kicking any wicked booty, but just the same, it looks interesting enough to give it a whirl!

Anonymous said...

WOW, I love the sound of that Doctor...Gonna skip off there now!

Ronda Laveen said...

Dorraine: Oh, yeah! You'll kick it!

Eternally Distracted: Have fun!

Jai Joshi said...

I can't get over the image of the rectal thermometer, or flossing around teeth to get the ideas out. All of a sudden I'm not sure I want to be a writer anymore!

Great post. Vivid and funny and a kick in the butt.

Jai

Ronda Laveen said...

Jai: I know! Who knew writing could be so physical! But, I'm sure you don't have that block problem. You are a prolific writer.

lettuce said...

ha! sounds worth a look

Anonymous said...

Ronda, for me I can only wish for writer's block! I'm a hyper-thinker and it's pretty hard to shut down...