How would I manipulate myself? Write or Die on a different scale.

For my first book I used Alpha readers to spur myself to reach a certain chapter count each week. This worked really well for me, but I'd prefer to use a method that doesn't offer feedback this time.

I'm wanting to devise a system with my husband's assistance (and he's willing) wherein he's my word keeper.

I e-mail him, or put on a USB drive, a set amount of words every day. If I don't reach my quota he begins to delete or doesn't release my material to me for editing or something else equally horrifying.

I got the idea from the Write or Die program, but I wanted something that gave me a full day to produce results because I have children and need the time to shuffle my work around my life schedule. I also wanted much more horrific consequences.

I need tech help to sort out how to transfer the files to him in a way that MY computer doesn't have a record of the file.

If I simply delete after I save to USB, would this work?

I'm not so tech savvy, but if I can figure out a way to recover info, then my plan loses it's integrity and there is no threat involved.

Once I get going I have less tendency to stall, but at the moment I am getting distracted by housework and kids and just stuff which DOES need to be dealt with. Unfortunately, I think I am happier when productive and want some accountability.

Any ideas on this?

That might work.

I haven't figured out the consequence aspect yet. I think simply not having access to the material for editing would drive me MAD. I usually like to read through every 10,000 words or so, sometimes not.

Yet I was hoping for something immediate. I'm sure Jeremy could come up with a horrifying punishment, like taking away all my pajama pants or making me wear a shirt that says, "My husband is smarter than I am." He'd like that.

Perhaps he could change my facebook and AW passwords, or change one if I miss a day, then another if I miss a second day, then take the internet router to work with him if I miss a third.

This would shut me off social networking (a distraction anyway) and it's pretty dire. It's a good motivation to work because I'd have a lot less to do. I don't mind giving him my current passwords.

Keep thinking.

I like the general concept. I know many AW'ers like the program. If a simplified format like this works it might be useful to others too. I thought about e-mailing daily material to writing buddies, but there's a record of that.

That's a good idea too.

I think this would work well if we bought something like a $25 B&N gift card and taped it up on the wall in the office. I get to have it when I complete the MS, but only if I do so by X date.

I like to work on deadlines. It seems to push my brain into higher creative gear.

Maybe combining the two.

Hmm.