Recently I discovered Habitica, a free app which essentially turns your to-do list into a role playing game. It works incredibly well to keep me on task as a writer, and I’ve also applied it to my Twitter Event #FriDare, which now gives away Habitica gems to winners. Here’s the down low on the site:

Habitica Basics

Creating a Character

The first step is to create an account, either by downloading the app or going to the website. You will begin with a simple avatar like the one at right.

Creating a Task List

Habits. These are constant, everyday tasks, including good and bad habits. Examples:

• Procrastinate (negative habit)
• Edit or cut 1000 words (positive habit)

Dailies. These are the things you need to do every day. If you don’t complete them, they do damage to you. Examples:

• Write 1000 words
• Work on a blog post

 

To-Dos. These are one-time tasks that you need to get done.

• Upload chapter to Wattpad
• Finish writer’s group suggested edits
• Enter a contest

Task Rewards

Experience. This allows you to level up, which gives benefits like random drops, quest scrolls, the ability to choose a character class, and attribute points to strengthen your character.

Gold. This allows you to buy things like equipment, quest scrolls, and healing potions.

Drops. You get random item drops starting at Level 3. These include pet eggs, pet hatching potions, and pet food (which raises pets into mounts).

Mana. This allows you to use Skills, which can buff you and your party members, keep your unfinished Daily Tasks from damaging you, and give you health, gold, or experience.

Damage

There are three ways to take damage in Habitica, as follows:

• Unfinished Dailies. If you don’t finish a daily task, it will do damage to you at the end of your day.
• Negative Habits. Clicking the (-) button on a Habit will cost you a few HP.
• Boss Quests. When fighting bosses in a party, the whole group’s unfinished Dailies

  

  can do harm to you.

Quests

Pair up with your friends or other Habitica members to perform Quests! These earn you gold, experience, equipment, and rare items. Perfect for keeping accountability within a writer’s group, or even just for getting your kids to do their chores!

#FriDare

After using Habitica religiously for a month, I decided to get a subscription, which earns me monthly Gems (monetary items which cannot be earned by unpaid users). I’ve decided to give these Gems away to users who win my weekly contest, #FriDare. Hope to see you there!