And you can try it, too, for FREE!

I love writing. However, focusing on writing is difficult.

I often get distracted by ideas that pop into my head constantly and by the many tabs that are open on the screen.

I have tried multiple writing applications that would help me write better. Some of them worked very well; however, I ran into another issue that I believe many of us face these days: having too many devices with different operating systems.

DEVICES I currently own:

1. One Windows laptop;
2. One MacBook;
3. One Boox TabXC (runs Android OS);
4. An iPad;
5. An iPhone; and
6. A Google phone.

I know what you are thinking! Yes, I have too many devices.

A clear solution would be to have fewer devices, I know.

However, currently all of these devices work and they serve different purposes as they all have their own flaws: such as,

• my Windows laptop’s keyboard is broken,
• my Macbook’s screen sometimes does not work,
• my Boox TabXC has an e-ink screen which is good for my eyes.

Due to these reasons, I use these devices interchangeably at this time.

And this mix of devices creates a problem.

The writing apps I adored only work on one operating system or not the other.

WRITING APPS I have tried:

• WordFokus, an extension for Google Docs, which works great on Google Docs and has multiple features that I adore.
  • The cons: the Ghost Pro feature is behind a paywall: $45 USD or $60 CAD. I love that system so much and I would have paid for Pro features but for that it is only an Google Docs extension meaning I cannot use outside of Google Docs or on my UltraXC Boox Tab or on iPad. So after multiple times I almost submitted the payment, I couldn’t go through with the purchase.
• Pure Writer, an Android app for my Boox TabXC which is similar to WordFokus but does not have the blurring or ghost text feature.
  • The cons: It only runs in Android and not on MacOS or Microsoft OS; pro features are also behind a paywall.
• FocusWrite, a Windows app, is completely free and has multiple features.
  • The cons: It only works on Microsoft OS on an app, and honestly I didn’t feel that I could focus on writing with FocusWrite (the irony!).

So yes, my brother built me an app that delivers all that I need – within one day. The only catch is I had to pay him $10 (lifetime access!). 😆

The app is called (he names it): NARROW WRITE.

It is an open-source and free app that is accessible via web browser here: https://icyavocado.github.io/narrow-write/

Development Page: https://github.com/icyavocado/narrow-write/issues

This blew me away!

Why This App Is So Awesome

IT HAS ALL THE MODES I WAS LOOKING FOR.

Here are the two modes that you can set up the app to work: Haze and Blank Past

• Haze: Past words stay on screen but are blurred beyond reading. You can sense them; you can’t dwell on them.

• Blank Past: Past words vanish entirely. Two styles: Classic — cursor moves left-to-right normally; words disappear as they exit the visible window; Typewriter — cursor is locked at the horizontal center of the screen; text streams left and disappears

TRY IT YOURSELF BELOW (use the arrow button on the top left to change themes (dark v light) , and the settings on the top right to change modes):

IT WORKS ON ALL OF MY DEVICES.

He is building a downloadable version for Android and Windows. I asked him to work on an extension for Google Docs as well.

I CAN ADD MY OWN FONTS

How awesome is that? I have designed a few fonts with my handwriting. So this app simply takes my fonts which are installed on my laptops and works its magic. This is wonderful, as usually other apps do not allow for this and other apps even have a very limited amount of fonts available for free. So this is a plus.

AND ABOVE ALL, THE APP WORKS WONDERFULLY FOR ME.

I wrote this blog on my phone while I was in the bathroom with Narrow Write. In 10 minutes, I wrote 500 words!

Who Is This App For?

If you are someone like me that:

• Is easily distracted
• Has way too many ideas all the times
• Has a lot of tasks on the go that require your attention
• Loves writing, especially short blogs, journals,
• Loves expressing ideas and sharing information

This app is for you.

A Message Of Appreciation

This is one of those times where I appreciate knowing someone who knows how to code and also coding itself. Technology can change lives; knowing how to shape technology can make a powerful impact on someone’s life.

This is an app that I literally dreamt of for distraction-free writing and built for me and my struggles with different devices is now a reality with only a few hours of coding.

I want to take a moment to thank my brother for doing this. I know it is only a small project for him, but it means a lot to me: an aspiring writer with an “ADD-like” mind which never stops thinking, getting distracted, drifting away.

This app keeps me focused on writing, on that one line, and to keep producing words that come to my mind without having to switch to another feature or format.

I hope and I know that this app will help other people write more, too.

Please share any feedback on the app’s GitHub page to help improve the app.

Have a wonderful day!