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40 Ridiculously Small Writing Tasks to Do When You Don’t Feel Like Writing

Here’s a list of ridiculously small writing tasks that are easy to tackle and perfect for keeping momentum, even on your busiest or most unmotivated days: Character Development Worldbuilding Plot Development Sensory Details Thematic Work Editing and Polishing Miscellaneous Motivation and Planning These tasks are designed to feel approachable and bite-sized, helping you to continue…

E.P.
2–3 minutes
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Here’s a list of ridiculously small writing tasks that are easy to tackle and perfect for keeping momentum, even on your busiest or most unmotivated days:

Character Development

  1. Write a single sentence about your protagonist’s main goal.
  2. Brainstorm three personality traits for a side character.
  3. Draft one line of dialogue that reveals a key character flaw.
  4. Name a minor character or pet.
  5. Describe your antagonist’s appearance in one sentence.

Worldbuilding

  1. Write down a unique cultural tradition in your story world.
  2. Choose a name for one city or village.
  3. Sketch out one unique feature of your setting (e.g., architecture, weather).
  4. List three adjectives to describe the mood of your world.
  5. Write a one-sentence description of your world’s political system.

Plot Development

  1. Outline one scene in 2–3 bullet points.
  2. Write a “what if” scenario for a potential plot twist.
  3. Draft a one-sentence summary of your story’s climax.
  4. Identify one major obstacle your protagonist will face.
  5. Write down your story’s opening or closing line.

Sensory Details

  1. Describe what your character sees in their current environment.
  2. Add one unique sound effect to a scene (e.g., creaking floors, howling wind).
  3. List three smells that evoke a specific emotion in your story.
  4. Write a sentence that incorporates touch (e.g., texture of fabric, chill of the air).
  5. Add a taste detail to a food-related scene.

Thematic Work

  1. Write one sentence that summarizes your story’s central theme.
  2. Brainstorm a metaphor that represents your protagonist’s journey.
  3. List three symbols that could recur in your story.
  4. Write a piece of dialogue that hints at your theme.
  5. Note one moment in your story where your theme becomes most apparent.

Editing and Polishing

  1. Fix a single awkward sentence in your draft.
  2. Replace one overused word with a stronger alternative.
  3. Check a scene for spelling or grammar errors.
  4. Read a paragraph aloud to ensure it flows smoothly.
  5. Cut one unnecessary word or phrase from your draft.

Miscellaneous

  1. Create a playlist of three songs that match your story’s tone.
  2. Draft a working title for your book or a specific chapter.
  3. Write a short epigraph or quote that could open your story.
  4. Jot down a one-line description for your antagonist.
  5. Write a random piece of dialogue your character might say.

Motivation and Planning

  1. Set a timer for 5 minutes and write as much as you can.
  2. Create a checklist of scenes you want to write this week.
  3. Write down one reason why you love your story idea.
  4. Revisit an old idea and write a sentence about how you could incorporate it.
  5. Set a small goal for tomorrow’s writing session.

These tasks are designed to feel approachable and bite-sized, helping you to continue making progress on your story even on your off days when you don’t feel like writing but want to keep some of the momentum going.

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