Short Bursts, Big Progress: Using Sprints to Actually Move Forward
You’ve got a backlog. Now what?
You’ve brain-dumped your novel chaos into a list. Gold star.
Now it’s time to actually do something with it — but not in a “crush your to-do list and hustle harder” way.
Agile doesn’t want you to burn out. It wants you to focus. Enter: the sprint.
What’s a Sprint?
In Agile terms, a sprint is a short, focused period of time where you commit to doing a specific set of tasks — no more, no less. That’s it.
You decide what’s realistic to get done, you set a time frame (usually 1–2 weeks), and then you get to work without adding anything else to your plate mid-sprint.
It’s not about doing everything. It’s about doing the right things, right now.
Why Writers Need Sprints
Let’s be honest — “write more” is not a real plan.
Sprints give you:
Clarity on what you're doing
Boundaries around how much you take on
Momentum that comes from actually finishing stuff
If you’ve ever opened your doc and thought, “What was I even working on again?” — this one’s for you.
How to Set Up Your First Sprint
Let’s kiss! Or…keep it stupid simple:
Step 1: Choose Your Sprint Length
I recommend 1-2 weeks to start. That’s long enough to make progress, short enough not to panic.
Step 2: Pick 2–5 Tasks From Your Backlog
Be realistic. Think “This feels doable”, not “This will finally fix my entire novel and self-worth.”
Examples:
Finish scene where main character confronts villain
Edit Chapter 2 for pacing
Research sword injuries (again)
Rewrite dialogue in awkward romance scene
Decide if I’m killing off That One Character™
Step 3: Write Down Your Sprint Goal
Something like:
“By the end of this sprint, I want to finish the battle chapter and edit Chapters 3–4.”
This is your north star. Keep it visible.
During the Sprint: Protect Your Focus
No adding new tasks mid-sprint. No swapping goals because you got bored. Do. Not. Touch. It.
If something new pops into your head, add it to your backlog — but don’t touch it yet.
Agile isn’t strict — it’s strategic. The sprint is your commitment to focused progress.
After the Sprint: Check In
When the sprint ends, take five minutes to reflect:
What did I finish?
What got in the way?
What would I change for next time?
You can adjust the length, the number of tasks, or how you track them — the whole point is that you're learning how you work best.
Okay Cool….But What’s Next?
For more tips, check out the free Quick Start Guide. It’s free right here, and it’s not a ploy to get you on a mailing list or spam you with emails. This stuff really works, and I want to help you see that this is achievable. Your dreams? You aren’t aimlessly shooting for the moon, you’re slowly building your rocket ship.