We have added a simple timer to the sidebar reference tab. There are useful preset times of 2, 5 and 10 minutes for timed writing.

Using Timed writing is simple.

1. Open either your ideas tab or or lyric for editing
2. Open sidebar if it is closed
3. Select the reference tab
4. Click one of the preset times for your timed writing.



A message will come up at the end of the time frame announcing the end of your timed writing session. We have chosen the most useful timed writing options based on our research and we would love to get some feedback on how this works for you.

This can help you get your ideas moving forward. The concept is to focus on an area of your lyric then start the timer and come up with as many ideas as possible with no editing. This is really what the ideas tab in each lyric project is for. Start with the song concept or title and write for 10 minutes. During that 10 minutes just write freely but incorporate as much sensory information in your writing as possible.



After your free write, look for ideas or potential words to use in your lyric. Now you might have more ideas for your second verse or the chorus. Maybe you have developed more backstory.

Now, you clearly don't need a software feature to do this. If you are writing in your notebook, you can use the timer on your phone (the iPhone has a nice count down timer). However, with Lilac Writer we want to keep what you need handy so you have less resistance to stay productive and become prolific!

Happy songwriting!