The Friends & Members of 750 Words

750 Words exists because of mutual good will between the people that run this site (Buster & Kellianne) and the people who use it (you). The site wouldn't exist without the generosity, patience, and humor of everyone involved. For the first 3+ years that the site was running (Dec 2009 to May 2013), the site was free to use but with some encouragement to donate. That served us well (and most importantly, generated enough income to keep the site up), but as the site grew the need for support also grew.

On June 12th 2013, all existing users of the site were given lifetime free accounts (we hope you'll continue to donate when you can). New accounts created after June 12th, 2013 are now required to become members within 30 days after signing up in order to keep writing. Everyone will always have access to previous writings, stats, etc, even if they choose not to become members.

We're listening to your feedback and want to make sure that first and foremost, we offer a friendly and safe place for people to dump their private thoughts. I expect that we'll continue to adjust the way this all works for the near term. Thanks for being an awesome community!

Who runs this site?

Our names are Buster and Kellianne, we live in Berkeley, California with our two sons (Niko and Louie) and this is something we've built and run in our spare time.

Badge.latte<a href="https://750words.com/auth">Sign up or log in</a> to buy Cups of Patronage

Notes of inspiration from members

2 cups

Just wanted to say thanks for this great site.

Who knew that something as simple as an online word processor and badges could help me write.

I work full time as a writer and web editor, have two kids and a husband. There is very little time for myself. Even though I write all day long, it is all for other people, and so when it came time for journaling or my own creative expression I just couldn’t find the time or the inclination to do it.

750words.com has given me a place to go and be myself.

Thanks for that.

Testimonial Note from Suzanne Wayne on Sat, Dec 11
1 cup
One Month Challenge Bounty from Kristen Carroll on Sat, Dec 11
1 cup

I was going to quit 750 Words today.
Yesterday was one of those days where nothing happens the way it is supposed to happen, and when I awoke this morning, I realized that for the first time in more than 70 days, I had not written my words. My streak — my albatross — was gone. The phoenix that was to grace my profile just on the other side of the New Year now seemed unattainable.
I might as well quit.
I mean, who cares about a streak anyway? Who needs little animal badges? I might as well go back to scribbling in my journal.
But the thing is, those journal scribblings used to be almost as rare as a phoenix. It’s just been since I discovered 750 Words that I started writing every day. And, truthfully, I’m proud of my streak (even if I do have to start over). And I do like the animal badges (there’s nothing wrong with being an egg — in three days I’ll be a turkey!).
So, without further ado (I have just 27 minutes), I’m going to go ahead and write.

Testimonial Note from Kristen Carroll on Sat, Dec 11
1 cup
Secure server for writing
New Feature Vote from Eileen Andrews on Fri, Dec 10
2 cups
Double Down on Charity Note from Jessica Riviere on Fri, Dec 10
2 cups
One Month Challenge Bounty from Jessica Riviere on Fri, Dec 10
1 cup
Secure server for writing
New Feature Vote from Jessica Riviere on Fri, Dec 10
1 cup
Foreign Language Statistics

Well, the problem I have is that sometimes I write in German, and sometimes in English. When I write in German, I use the article “die” and it’s one of the few words that the statistics recognizes, so I have a lot of posts about death… which aren’t about death at all! Either equally interesting analyses of language use for other languages, or just a feature that would recognize “this isn’t English” or even “this is German!” and turn off the statistics would really be great.

New Feature Request Note from Jessica Riviere on Fri, Dec 10
1 cup

This is a really cool place, and I have to admit, little animal badges are a way to motivate me to do my morning pages. I’m a more balanced person when I write and run on a regular basis, so expect to see more of me around this virtual coffee shop!

Testimonial Note from AC Wynn on Thu, Dec 09
1 cup
Double Down on Charity Note from Aaron Leff on Thu, Dec 09
2 cups

I want to be healthier. I need to change my behavior to do that and I need to not get in my own way. I need to build up my confidence in myself I need a series of successful experiences behind me of changing my own behavior. I need to do it to prove to myself that I can do it. I think that I will be happier with myself if I do. I need to remind myself that I am happier when I accomplish the things that I set out to do. Like completing my words everyday. When I am a reliable human being, it makes me feel good. Especially when I can rely on myself. And instead of acknowledging that foresight, I have been concentrating too much on my dislike for the task at hand. I need to think of the future because that is how I know what tools to use to shape my present. I need these affirmations today. I need this focus. I need to remember why I need to do the things that I need to do and why they are important. And I need to allow them to be important to me. Too often do I allow myself to not care about things because in the grand scheme of things they really “don’t matter”. Well self, in the grand scheme of things (to quote Queen) “nothing really matters,” but that’s no way to live is it? Because you don’t really believe that. You want things to matter. Because that gives meaning to your life. That gives you a reason to not only exist but to LIVE. And you want to live your life, don’t you? So dare to care about the things and the people and the tasks in your life. They are important to you and to your life therefore THEY ARE IMPORTANT. Now go do your words and the other important things on your to-do list. And recognize that each thing helps you take a positive step in the direction you need to go in order to live the life you want.

Testimonial Note from Cara Kierzkowski on Wed, Dec 08
1 cup
Alphabeticised Runners Page

For the monthly challenge runner page – the one with the horses – it’s hard to find your name amongst hundreds of other writers (And there’s something strangely satisfying checking that you’re still there!) Could the order of names be given some kind of system e.g. alphabetical that would make it easier to find yourself?

New Feature Request Note from Mollie Baxter on Wed, Dec 08
1 cup

I can’t keep my thoughts straight unless I write them down, stream-of-consciousness style, and this can sometimes result in too much rambling (or ranting) when talking to my online friends. 750 Words helps remind me to avoid turning chat windows into thought volcanoes. Though it still happens on occasion. I’m working on it.

Testimonial Note from Jay on Wed, Dec 08
1 cup

I recently weaned myself off Facebook in order to concentrate on my doctoral studies. Last week I read an article about 750words.com in the Chronicle of Higher Education. It seemed like the perfect tool to decrease writer’s block and fit in a little social networking “feel,” but without the hassle of Farmville invites. Buster you are a genius!

Testimonial Note from ButterflyGirl Vanishing on Tue, Dec 07
2 cups

750words helped me finish the PragProWriMo Challenge without missing a single day! This has been the longest I have been able to write continuously. Thanks for making this site so nice to use and such a motivational force. Sadly, I’ve missed a few days since then, so I’m starting from Egg again after having achieved Albatross status, but the motivation keeps being there, and I’m sure I’ll rebuild my streak.

Testimonial Note from Diego Zamboni on Tue, Dec 07
3 cups

Here’s to restarting my challenge, both a monthly one, and aiming for the Phoenix badge. I will get there!

One Month Challenge Bounty from Anonymous on Tue, Dec 07
1 cup
Secure server for writing

Buster:

Creating a secure server for writing is the single most important addition you can make on the site.

Like me, others are writing from coffee shops and free public WIFIs and unless they are using VPN (I do) all of their passwords and writing is in the clear.

Providing security in transit would be a big boon to the site.

Also, it would be important to me to have “security at rest.” In other words, after our words are written and assessed, write them to an encrypted database.

These two things would make the site rock solid.

Thanks for a great site. I love this place. I’m now at the 250,000 word level and over 250 days. I wouldn’t come back if I didn’t love it.

Great job.
…dave

New Feature Vote from Anonymous on Tue, Dec 07
1 cup
More badges for accomplishments

I know we’re supposed to internalize our incentives over time, but it’s telling that the place I totally forgot to do my 750 words was right around 54 days, once I had stopped chasing badges. I thought I was on track for 100 straight, but since then I’ve forgotten to do it another 2 times! I just totally blank on it, so I think that more badges help to reflect our effort for us in a way that’s useful

New Feature Vote from Naunihal on Mon, Dec 06
1 cup
Secure server for writing

I’d really love secure writing: both https to protect our words on the way and encryption on the other end. I think many of us would be willing to pay for the premium service. Right now people are putting a lot of private information into their 750, and it would really suck if it were to get hacked. I checked out Penzu for exactly that reason, but I don’t like their look and feel and I really to like this site. Plus, you know, you’ve got badges.

New Feature Vote from Naunihal on Mon, Dec 06
1 cup

I have just started using 750 Words and I find that it is really helping me focus my thoughts and manage my life. Many thanks!

Testimonial Note from Daphne Ashling Purpus on Mon, Dec 06
1 cup

raising my cup to you as thanks for the encouragement i get from this site – the promise of that little green box & my daily ‘well done’ are driving me on to keep writing regularly; they’re working better than my daily guilt trip used to. X
ps darn, if i’d just have waited i coulda been patron #500!

Testimonial Note from rhi bo on Mon, Dec 06
4 cups

Hoorah to all those who do what they say they’ll do, and get through the good days and the bad days with the same resolve. Keep on writin’!

One Month Challenge Bounty from Edd Hendricks on Sat, Dec 04
1 cup
Badges for small goals too!

I really enjoy writing & sharing my 750Words progress with Facebook friends, some of whom are also online here now. Thanks so much for making this a fun space for us to write and support each other in community!

I notice over the past month occasionally there are days (for example, when I’m editing) when I don’t need to write 750 words. I think it would be nice & helpful if there were badges for smaller writing goals too. While I agree 750 words is a great goal, it would be encouraging to have the support at 250 or 500 words, or even for just checking in. Kind of like, “way to go! you wrote today and every little bit counts!” I think this positive reenforcement would do a lot to keep up momentum, remind us to write every day, etc.

thanks again for a great site. cheers from San Francisco. Steven

New Feature Request Note from Steven Bauman on Sat, Dec 04
1 cup
One Month Challenge Bounty from Jesper Cockx on Sat, Dec 04
36 cups

Brilliant simple addictive effective idea. Writing as mental detox. An enema for the brain. I like typing looking straight out the window, not stopping to correct typos or spelling mistakes or do punctuation or paragraphs and then I’m done and I walk away from the keyboard 1027 grams lighter. I’ve done 100 days (almost) straight and now I’m taking a break to spend more time staring at the pond. Many thanks Buster, great work!

Testimonial Note from Nicholas Arnold on Sat, Dec 04
1 cup

Thank you for this wonderful site and writing tool! I used to journal nearly every day from middle school through the end of college, but found that “adult” life kept me too busy to not only write, but read for leisure. 750 Words has helped me reconnect with my love of writing and reading, and I look forward to coming to this site every day. My brain feels so refreshed after I’ve done my 750 Words. Can’t thank you enough for creating this site!!!

Testimonial Note from Karen Ren on Fri, Dec 03
1 cup
An iPhone/iPad app

Would be great to be able to keep up with my 750 Words on the go easier than navigating to the site.

New Feature Vote from Anonymous on Fri, Dec 03
1 cup
One Month Challenge Bounty from Jesper Cockx on Fri, Dec 03
2 cups
One Month Challenge Bounty from WallofIllusion on Thu, Dec 02
2 cups
More "Congratulations!" alerts

There are two things I have in mind: one, since the site registers its users’ birthdates, I was half-expecting some kind of birthday message to pop up when I started typing on my birthday. It would be a cute touch, I think. Two, I don’t think the site congratulated me in any way when I finished the November Monthly challenge. Why not have a message pop up along with the “You’ve completed your 750 words” box that says something like, “Congratulations! You’ve successfully completed a monthly challenge! Click here for a reminder of how you promised to reward yourself.”?

New Feature Request Note from WallofIllusion on Thu, Dec 02