worst draft is a minimalist word processor that removes the two biggest roadblocks for writers: editing & distractions.
users are unable to delete anything more than a few most recently typed words, and they will also be unable to access any other applications without first closing worst draft.
by removing these elements the writer is forced to lean on his/her creative impulses to complete a first draft, postponing edits and research until future drafts.
the software is distributed as a standard .jar file, which runs under java in windows and mac os x. the submitter to alternativein.com reports it also works well under linux.
author testimonials as to the power of removing the distractions of editing and internet:
“commit. that means not even doubling back to check something. i mean it. if you forget a character’s name, who cares? make up a new one and fix it later. (in fact, that’s really easy to fix. find/replace, anyone?) if you double back, even if it’s just for a few minutes, you will mess up your momentum.”veronica roth, whose book "divergent" took half as long to finish as her first manuscript because she stopped editing on the go.
jonathan franzen, author of the bestselling novel "freedom", writes all of his books on an old laptop that is permanently disconnected from the internet.“i took the wireless card out immediately, and i plugged up the ethernet hole with superglue... it’s doubtful that anyone with an internet connection at his workplace is writing good fiction.”
jodi picoult [author of my sister's keeper]’s best advice to writers:“when you finally start to write something, do not let yourself stop…even when you are convinced it’s the worst garbage ever. this is the biggest caveat for beginning writers. instead, force yourself to finish what you began, and then go back and edit it. if you keep scrapping your beginnings, however, you’ll never know if you can reach an end.”
