Garth — likely from his shiny new iPhone — sent me a link to a unique utility for writers.

Write Or Die: Putting the “Prod” in Productivity!

Write or Die is a web application that encourages writing by punishing the tendency to avoid writing. Start typing in the box. As long as you keep typing, you’re fine, but once you stop typing, you have a grace period of a certain number of seconds and then there are consequences.

…

Consequences:

* Gentle Mode: A certain amount of time after you stop writing, a box will pop up, gently reminding you to continue writing.

* Normal Mode: If you persistently avoid writing, you will be played a most unpleasant sound. The sound will stop if and only if you continue to write.

* Kamikaze Mode: Keep Writing or Your Work Will Unwrite Itself

* Electric Shock Mode: …

try it yourself on Dr. Wicked