Action Map Your Way Out of Writer’s Resistance Part 2

In our previous post, we explored how Action Maps break through writer’s resistance by breaking big writing projects into manageable steps.

To help you identify the multitude of small steps your Action Map might include, I provided a list of possible tasks. The relevance of the tasks listed will depend on the type of writing project you’re mapping.

There is nothing special about the way I worded the tasks, nor are they presented in any particular order. Use this list to spark ideas about what might go into completing your writing task, not to dictate what you must include.

Find idea

Research topic

Research characters

Research setting

Update Action Map

Research potential publishers

Read sample issues

Request writer’s guidelines

Read writer’s guidelines

Read writing book

Read well-crafted samples of your genre

Observe what established writers do that works

Do exercises in writing book

Draw map of the location

Write character sketches

Write outline

Dreamstorm scenes

Write scene cards

Play with scene cards to discover the story’s structure

Write query letter

Write cover letter

Write/sign letter of agreement

Draft chapter

Draft next chapter

Draft introduction

Identify items to include in index

Prepare chapter end notes

Reward yourself

Revise

Find readers

Tell readers what kind of feedback you want

Meet with readers and listen to feedback

Revise

Plan book launch party

Sign contract with agent

Sign contract with publisher

Cash advance check

Hire editor

Revise (I know I said this twice already; “Revise” bears repeating)

Join a writer’s group

Take writing class on dialogue, freelancing, poetry, etc.

Interview experts

Interview sources

Interview characters

Schedule interviews

Write synopsis

Prepare book proposal

Upcoming post will show you how to personalize your Action Map.