Welcome to Writing for Real, a monthly newsletter helping you live your best new writer life. I'm glad you're here.

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In this issue…

• My Latest Chapter (a personal update)

• Writing Must-Haves

• Read This

• Try This

• QOTM - Question of the Month

My latest chapter

Rather than taking a top-down approach to writing (outlining the novel, creating a timeline), I'm focusing on bottom-up progress - completing the work directly in front of me, like finishing a chapter or polishing my query letter. Since I'm easily distracted by new ideas and peripheral tasks (social media, website updates, courses), I'm making my current writing project my priority. To build momentum, I'm celebrating even the smallest accomplishments.

Here's the key insight: every task, including writing a novel, can be broken down into micro tasks - those seemingly obvious action items we often overlook. We tend to exclude these small steps from our grand planning, not recognizing their importance. Yet these micro tasks can be surprisingly time-consuming and often generate additional to-do items. Understanding and acknowledging these micro tasks isn't optional - it's a Must-Have for success. More on that later.

Writing Must-Haves

In continuation of last month’s Must-Haves theme, here’s another tip for new or hesitant writers. Of course, these Must-Haves work for any writer, but they are essential for new writers who are looking for a safe place to start. My goal with this newsletter is to make things super easy (and hopefully fun and interesting) so that you can feel good building your writer skills.

Getting stuck in writing is super common. I’m not talking about writer’s block, where your creative juices seem to dry up and leave you stranded. I’m referring to when you’re overwhelmed with a to-do list that is pages long and you don’t know where to start. While the big-picture, top-down planning (outlining, plotting or character sketches) is important overall, it’s the bottom-up, micro task planning that can move the needle on your projects and bolster your confidence as a writer.

Understanding Micro Tasks in Writing

If you’re tackling a writing project - whether it’s a novel, book review, or blog post - breaking it down into manageable pieces can transform your process from overwhelming to achievable. You’re likely already using micro tasks without realizing it.

What Are Micro Tasks?

Micro tasks are bite-sized steps that collectively form your complete project. Think of them as building blocks that lead to finishing your writing journey. In writing, a micro task might be drafting a scene summary (either before writing to create a roadmap, or during the process if you feel stuck), or revising specific elements like dialogue or word choice. The key is focusing on one limited task at a time. 

Why Micro Tasks Matter

Manage Overwhelm

Starting a novel or short story can feel daunting when you try to hold the entire project in your head. Micro tasks break it into achievable steps, helping you maintain productivity and confidence.

Build Momentum

Each completed micro task represents progress. These small wins create a sense of accomplishment that fuels motivation, promotes momentum and keeps you from the dreaded writer’s block. 

Sharpen Focus

By concentrating on one specific aspect of your writing at a time, you can give it your full attention rather than juggling multiple elements (I have learned that this is important in my writing process). This focused approach allows your brain the chance to stay in flow, which leads to higher creativity and quality of work.

Develop Consistency

Working on micro tasks helps establish a steady writing pace. Tackling small portions each day builds a sustainable writing habit that ensures continuous progress.

Improve Time Management

Breaking your project into micro tasks allows for better scheduling. You can allocate specific time slots for each task, making it easier to meet deadlines without compromising quality.

"So for example going for a run might be scaled down to tying your running shoes, or folding laundry is downscaled into fold the first pair of socks," he said. "We should optimize for the starting line, not the finish line."

James Clear, Atomic Habits

How to Implement Micro Tasks

1. Create a Project Outline

Break your work into major sections - scenes, chapters, timelines, or character sketches. Then subdivide further: chapters into scenes, scenes into action and dialogue, and so on.

2. Set Achievable Daily Goals

Start with modest targets. Aiming for 500 words daily feels more doable than focusing on completing an 80,000-word novel. Write down your goals and keep them visible. It’s tough to hit a target that you can’t see, so put a sticky note on your bathroom mirror or computer screen to remind you of what you need to do.

3. Start With What Flows

Don't feel constrained to write chronologically. If a particular scene keeps playing in your mind, write it first. You can assemble your novel's pieces later. Beginning with enjoyable, accessible sections builds confidence for tackling more challenging portions. Having fun is the fastest way to creative flow.

4. Use Editables

Okay, I made that word up, but you get the idea. Take a targeted approach to editing by focusing on one editing element at a time - grammar, spelling, or dialogue tags. This helps maintain mental flow, which will make you feel good and improve efficiency.

5. Track Your Progress

Record your completed micro tasks in a journal or calendar. This helps you visualize your awesome progress, identify potential challenges early, and celebrate achievements. Regular monitoring allows you to adjust your approach before feeling overwhelmed (which could lead to procrastination or giving up).

The micro task approach has revolutionized my writing process, and it can do the same for you. Each small step brings you closer to your goal. By breaking down your project, maintaining consistency, and tracking progress, you'll watch your writing projects take shape more effectively. Your huge to-do list will shrink in no time, leaving you feeling like the accomplished writer you are.

For more info on micro tasks, click here

Has a micro task made the difference in your writing? Let me know what it is and how it affected your writing.

Read this…

The Emotion Thesaurus helps writers effectively convey emotions by providing comprehensive lists of physical signals, internal sensations, mental responses, and behavioral cues. For each emotion, the book details accompanying body language, thoughts, and potential reactions. It also guides writers in building emotional complexity by showing how initial feelings can evolve within a scene.

On top of an extensive emotional vocabulary, the guide offers practical tips for avoiding common pitfalls like melodrama and clichéd expressions. The result is a essential reference for creating authentic emotional experiences that resonate with readers.

Try this…

This month’s writing prompt practices micro tasking using character emotions.

1. Choose a character you’ve created. It can be from any piece of writing, but the piece should be long enough to get an understanding of your character.

2. Choose one action you’ve assigned to the character to convey emotion. Think back to my shoulder shrugging characters. Does your character frown or knit their eyebrows? Bite their lip? Choose one action that you wish were more clearly supportive of the emotion you are trying to portray.

3. Break down the action into micro categories. What is the physical signal? (shoulder shrug). 2. What are the character’s internal sensations? (uncertainty? boredom?). 3. What does it look like from another character’s perspective (ambivalence? confusion?) 4. What lies beneath the emotion you are trying to present? (covering up a fragile sense of identity? the fear of another character uncovering a secret?)

4. Consult The Emotional Thesaurus (or similar online). Rewrite your action a few different ways until you land on something that effectively expresses the deeper emotional state of your character.

Share your piece with me—I'd love to feature a couple of them in future newsletters!

QOTM

What questions do you still have regarding micro tasks?

Reach out on Instagram, Threads or email to let me know.

Thanks for reading!

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