Writing a novel is a monumental task, full of twists, turns, and the occasional writer’s block. So how can a writer harness creativity while maintaining organization? Enter: Kanban. Originally developed for manufacturing by Toyota in the 1940s, Kanban has transcended industries to become a versatile tool for creative projects, including novel writing. This system can transform how you approach the drafting, editing, and revising phases of your book. You’re juggling character arcs, plot development, world-building, and pacing – so why not bring order to that chaos? Kanban is the key.
The Kanban Method Explained: A Simple Visual Tool
At its core, Kanban is a visual workflow management system that uses a board (either physical or digital) and cards to represent tasks. Picture a whiteboard divided into columns: “To Do,” “In Progress,” and “Done.” Each card on the board represents a task—whether that’s outlining Chapter 1, editing dialogue in Chapter 10, or researching medieval sword-fighting techniques. As you move through the stages of your novel, you simply shift tasks across the board. With each move, the progress becomes tangible.
You might be thinking, “But writing isn’t a production line!” True, but writing is a process, and that process benefits from clarity. According to a 2021 survey by the Project Management Institute, 89% of high-performing teams use some form of visual task management, with significant gains in productivity and reduced burnout. Writers can reap similar benefits when using Kanban, whether they’re plotting their entire novel or micro-managing daily word goals.
Setting Up Your Novel-Writing Kanban Board
How you structure your Kanban board depends on your approach to writing. Are you a pantser? Or do you prefer planning every detail? Either way, there’s a method to fit your style.
- Columns: Start with the basics—“To Do,” “In Progress,” and “Done.” This is where the magic begins. Later, you can break these down into sub-columns like “First Draft,” “Revisions,” and “Final Edits.” Simple, but effective.
- Cards: Each task deserves its own card. These cards can represent chapters, scenes, or character profiles. If you’re writing an epic fantasy novel, you might need cards for world-building tasks. Sci-fi writer? Create cards for technology research. You decide.
- Workflow: The beauty of Kanban is flexibility. Move tasks between columns as you progress through your novel. As a chapter evolves from concept to completed draft, watch it migrate across the board. A visual parade of accomplishment.
It is also good to have a plan for publishing and promoting your novels. Sometimes, you can publish your works in the same place where you read novels online. For example, among iOS novels on FictionMe. The application allows you to read free novels online, this can help you find inspiration. You can always pick up similar novels to make your book deeper. For example, you can check out 10 Ideal Books Like ACOTAR and find inspiration for writing your own romantic story. The list of free novels online is almost endless. When you are ready, you can add your work to the list of novels online.
Tracking Progress and Staying Motivated
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of tasks a novel requires? Kanban allows you to break that monstrous task down into digestible chunks. Each movement of a card feels like a small victory. Finished Chapter 7? Move it to the “Done” column and enjoy the satisfaction of progress, even if you’ve only written a few hundred words that day.
There’s an element of psychology at play here. According to a study conducted by Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer (2011), even small wins in everyday work can boost motivation and emotions. The incremental progress a Kanban board displays feeds directly into this “small wins” theory. When you see your novel moving forward—chapter by chapter, scene by scene—you’re much less likely to give up halfway through. The process becomes as satisfying as the outcome.
Using Kanban for Revisions and Editing
Kanban isn’t just for the drafting phase. As any writer knows, the revision process is a beast in itself. With Kanban, revisions can be structured into manageable tasks. Let’s say you’re in the editing phase. Create columns for “First Draft,” “Needs Heavy Rewrites,” “Polishing,” and “Final Proof.” Each chapter can move through these columns as it’s revised. You can also add tasks for specific revisions, like fixing plot holes or developing a character’s voice. Whether you’re working alone or with an editor, Kanban keeps the chaos under control.
Consider this: statistics from the Writers’ Digest annual survey (2023) revealed that authors who break their revision process into smaller, manageable tasks are 32% more likely to complete their manuscripts than those who don’t. A Kanban board not only allows for such compartmentalization but also gives writers a tangible sense of forward movement.
Digital Kanban Tools for Writers
You might be thinking, “I don’t have room for a giant whiteboard covered in sticky notes!” Not a problem. There are several digital tools that mimic the Kanban method. Trello, for example, is a popular choice for writers because it’s intuitive, flexible, and free. Other tools like Notion or ClickUp offer more complexity and customization. Most of these apps allow for color-coding, adding due dates, and leaving comments, making it easy to organize every stage of your novel.
Imagine you’re revising your fantasy novel and you have a color-coded system: red for major rewrites, yellow for minor edits, and green for chapters that are almost ready. With a quick glance, you’ll know exactly where you stand. No more rifling through old notebooks trying to remember if you finished the Chapter 3 subplot.
Conclusion: Taming the Writing Beast
Kanban might seem like a method best suited for factory assembly lines, but in reality, it’s an adaptable and dynamic tool for novelists. By visualizing your writing tasks, breaking them down into bite-sized chunks, and tracking your progress visually, you take control of the writing process instead of letting it overwhelm you.
Whether you’re drafting your first novel or revising your tenth, Kanban can help turn the sprawling creative chaos into something manageable—and, dare I say, fun.
So grab your board, digital or physical, and start moving those tasks. Your future self (the one holding the finished manuscript) will thank you.
