Yesterday I downloaded a piece of $10 software that will change my life. It’s called Freedom:
Freedom is a simple productivity application that locks you away from the internet on Mac or Windows computers for up to eight hours at a time. Freedom frees you from distractions, allowing you time to write, analyze, code, or create. At the end of your offline period, Freedom allows you back on the internet. You can download Freedom immediately for 10 dollars through either PayPal or Google Checkout.
I used it for 65 minutes yesterday morning, and two hours in the afternoon while I worked on Hild (you can set it for any number of minutes you like). Several times–I didn’t even realise I was doing it–I tried to get online to ‘look something up’. Each time, Freedom denied me access. I couldn’t disable Freedom except by rebooting my entire system. I went back to work. In three hours, I wrote fifteen hundred words.
I think this might be the best ten dollars I’ve ever spent. Each time I would just ‘bob online to check something’ I’d end up looking at email, responding to blog comments, gobbling down RSS feeds, and generally wasting time. Not anymore. With Freedom playing governess, I think I might have a first draft of Hild done by the end of September–before my birthday. A lovely present to myself.
But don’t take my word for Freedom’s efficacy. Read what the Economist has to say Give it a go. It will rock your world.
Nicola Griffith 
Interesting. I might have to try it.
I tend to not have too much of an issue though because I write on a mostly disabled laptop over in my recliner. But still…
I wrote 2,500 words in four hours today. Freedom is absolutely changing my world.
Different strokes. That would drive me crazy(er).
Back when I wrote 11 screenplays in 2 years, having the internet right there was one of the things that kept me going. If I have a question about something — the synonym for a word, the caliber of a weapon, potential names for a new character, or what happens if the pilot jumps from a helicopter, for example — I need to be able to look it up, otherwise, I'm stuck. I know there are people who can write away without caring if something is plausible, or put a placeholder in for a name — but I'm not one of them.
Today I wrote 2,500 words in four hours. This is like the old days when it only took me ten months to write a novel. I am thrilled.
Yay you! Hope that continues for you! :D
Well, I have to say anything that moves us closer to a new book from you is all to be welcomed.
Ooh, cool. I write on my laptop which is not connected to the Internet for just that reason, but I've been thinking of hooking it up to make research easier. This would be a big help.
Elaine, there's a Freedom Lite application that allows you access to research sites but stops you playing with Facebook, email etc.
what a brilliant idea! Everytime I see that I have a new email I can't concentrate on anything else until I check it. Makes working on blogs or anything else very challenging somedays…I will have to check it out!
I hope you do.