Riikee—the name comes from the Chinese word “日课” (rì kè), meaning “daily practice.” In traditional Chinese culture, a daily practice is an essential routine, a gentle yet steadfast form of self-cultivation. I believe writing should be the same—not an occasional burst of inspiration, but a quiet growth that happens every single day.

Why Daily Writing?

I only write when inspiration strikes. Fortunately, it strikes at nine o’clock every morning.

—— William Faulkner

We could list countless writers who have spoken about how daily writing has profoundly shaped their creative lives. Ernest Hemingway, Stephen King, Haruki Murakami, or Julia Cameron’s “Morning Pages” practice—three pages of longhand writing every morning, without stopping, without judgment, just letting consciousness flow freely.

In ancient China, the poet Jia Dao could spend an entire day deliberating between two words (“push” or “knock”), while Lu Yanrang wrote of “settling on a single word, twisting off several beard hairs.” These stories tell us that good writing is never a solo performance of talent, but rather the accumulation of day-by-day practice.

This truth extends beyond writers—musicians, painters, athletes all follow the same principle. Repeating something daily proves more effective in achieving real results, whether in creative work or physical labor. Consistent practice is the only path to excellence.

But I know that in this age of notifications, emails, and short videos, maintaining a daily writing practice is easier said than done. What we need isn’t more pressure, but a gentle reminder, a quiet corner, a key to our inner world.

This is why Riikee was born.

What is Riikee?

Riikee is a minimalist writing space. No complex features, no social pressure—just you and your words.

When you open Riikee each day, you’ll see a blank page, perhaps with a gentle prompt: “Begin here, and streams will form rivers.” This moment, this place, is the perfect beginning.

You can write anything—your first thought of the morning, an afternoon insight, restless midnight musings. It could be a memory, an observation, a mood, or simply a record of today’s small moments. No topic restrictions, no word count requirements—just write truthfully.

Riikee quietly records your journey: how many words today, how many days this month, how your writing habit is taking shape. These metrics aren’t for comparison or competition, but to help you see your growth trajectory, like a gardener watching seeds slowly sprout.

The Magic of Time

Interestingly, Riikee has a special design: your historical word counts are “sealed”—while you can still freely edit past entries, yesterday’s word count won’t change with today’s edits. This isn’t a technical limitation but a philosophy: creation is free, but past efforts have become time’s imprint.

This design reminds us of the essence of consistent practice—it’s an art of time. Each day’s writing captures who you were in that specific moment, with that moment’s feelings, understanding, and perceptions. When you look back at words from a month or a year ago, you’ll be surprised by how you’ve changed, and moved by what has remained constant.

The Secret of Writing

“The secret key to better writing”—this is Riikee’s creed. The secret is actually simple: write consistently.

Don’t wait for inspiration to strike—summon it through writing. Don’t pursue perfect expression—gradually approach truth through imperfection. As Stephen King says, “Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.” Through daily writing, you’re transforming from an observer of writing to a participant, and ultimately, a creator.

Writing helps us understand ourselves. When we transform vague thoughts into concrete words, chaos begins to take shape. Those tangled thoughts in our minds often lose their power once they’re on paper. Those fleeting beautiful moments gain permanence through being recorded.

More importantly, daily writing is a commitment to yourself. In this restless world, it reminds us to slow down, look inward, and keep thinking. It’s a blank space in modern life, a spiritual corner that belongs only to you.

Begin Your Daily Practice

I won’t claim that Riikee will transform your life, but I believe that if you give it a chance—give yourself a chance—and persist for thirty days, a hundred days, a year... you’ll discover that this key of writing opens not just the door to words, but the path to inner freedom.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step; mighty rivers form from tiny streams.

(不积跬步，无以至千里；不积小流，无以成江海。)

—— Xunzi

Start writing, the water will flow.