The Agile Author: Approaching Writing the Agile Way
You don’t need to hustle harder or work longer—you just need a better process.
Writing a novel is exciting… until it isn’t.
You sit down with this big idea, full of energy and inspiration—but a few chapters in, the doubt creeps in: The story feels too big, then the scenes get tangled, and eventually, your goals go flying out the window. Real life gets in the way, and suddenly, the draft sits unfinished. Maybe you’ll go back and work on it again, or maybe not.
I’ve been there—more than once.
It wasn’t until I started applying the same structure I use at work—a project management methodology called Agile—that I finally made progress I could see. I finished my book, Breaking the Veil, using these exact tools, tips, and tricks, and I’m here to show you how to do the same.
What is Agile, exactly?
Agile is a way of working that comes from the world of software development—but you don’t need to be a tech person to use it.
At its core, Agile is about breaking big, overwhelming projects into small, focused steps. You work on a few things at a time, reflect often, and stay flexible. It’s fast, it’s forgiving, and it’s built for people who are creating something complex—like a novel.
And yes, Agile works beautifully for writers.
A few simple terms (don’t worry, you’ve got this!)
I’ll walk you through all of this in future posts, but here are a couple of simple terms you’ll see:
Backlog: This will be your writing to-do list. Everything from chapters and edits to character notes and research.
Sprint: A short period of focused work, typically lasting 1–2 weeks. Instead of trying to write everything, you pick a few tasks and focus just on those.
Kanban board: A visual tool for tracking your progress. Think of it like columns labeled “To Do,” “Doing,” and “Done” —you move your writing tasks across them as you work.
That’s it. No complicated buzzwords or fluff. Just clarity.
Why writing the Agile way works
Here’s what shifted for me once I started writing the Agile way:
I always knew what to work on next
I could see my progress, which kept me motivated
I stopped trying to write the whole book at once
I gave myself room to improve, edit, and adjust along the way
It made writing feel possible again—even when life got messy. That’s what I want to help you build, too.
What to Expect from the Agile Author
This blog is for writers who want to improve their writing process and/or try something new. If your current way isn’t working, or could benefit from a little organization, this series is for you! I’ll show you how to:
Create your own writing backlog (your personalized writing plan)
Work in flexible sprints instead of stressful marathons
Use visual tools to organize your writing sessions
Reflect, adjust, and celebrate your wins—no burnout necessary
Each post will be simple, practical, and built to make your writing life easier—not more complicated.
Want to try it right now?
To help you get started, I created a free Agile Author Starter Kit. It includes:
A beginner-friendly guide to what Agile means for writers
A printable writing task board
A worksheet to break your novel into manageable pieces
And a soft-start planning sheet (no pressure, just intention)
Link to FREE Agile Author Starter Kit:
This isn’t about forcing yourself to write more. It’s about working in a way that actually works for you.
“But… what’s the point if I don’t know what’s wrong with my writing style?"
That’s an easy one! Take the Writing Style Quiz below to determine what your writing style is, what you can do TODAY to get a jump start, and also unlock a cool badge you can put on your own website or social media.