This Action Items Template is designed specifically for writers and authors to capture, organize, and track all the tasks associated with their writing projects. From outlining a new book to managing editorial feedback, it helps transform spoken ideas into actionable steps, overcoming the inertia of writer's block.
Project Overview
e.g., 'The Silent Echo' Novel Draft 1
State the main title or working title of your writing project.e.g., Complete 75,000-word manuscript by Q3
Define the overarching objective for this writing endeavor.e.g., Young adult readers interested in dystopian fiction
Identify the primary demographic for your written piece.Outline & Structure
e.g., Chapter 3: The Whispering Woods
Specify the chapter, section, or module name.e.g., Protagonist discovers ancient map, encounters mythical creature
List critical narrative or informational elements to include in this section.e.g., Historical context of 17th-century cartography, local folklore of the region
Note any specific research required before writing this section.Drafting & Writing
e.g., Draft opening scene of Chapter 5, Write blog post on 'Voice Drafting Tips'
Detail the specific writing task to be completed.e.g., 1,500 words
Set a target word count for the current drafting session or task.e.g., 2024-08-15
Assign a deadline for the completion of this writing task.e.g., In Progress, Completed, Pending Review
Update the current progress of the writing task.Review & Feedback
e.g., Editor, Beta Reader, Peer
Indicate who will be reviewing the piece.e.g., Plot holes, Character development, Technical accuracy, Tone
Specify the focus area for the feedback request.e.g., Revise Chapter 7 for pacing, Clarify technical jargon in Section 2.3
Describe the specific action to take based on the received feedback.Publication & Marketing
e.g., Write book blurb, Schedule social media posts, Contact book bloggers
List tasks related to promoting your finished work.e.g., Amazon KDP, Blog, LinkedIn, Publisher
Identify the platform or channel for the marketing or publication activity.e.g., 2024-11-01
Record the date by which the task was or should be completed.How to Use This Template
- Open the 'Action Items Template' in CraftNote to begin a new writing project.
- Use voice-to-text to quickly fill in the 'Project Overview' section, detailing your novel's theme or content brief's objectives.
- Dictate specific 'Outline & Structure' points for each chapter or section, including research needs, directly into the corresponding fields.
- As you draft, use the 'Drafting & Writing' section to log tasks, update word count goals, and track progress using voice commands.
- After receiving feedback, populate the 'Review & Feedback' section with reviewer names and required actions, then update their status as you complete revisions.
Customization Tips
- Adapt the 'Outline & Structure' section to fit different content types; for a technical manual, rename 'Chapter/Section' to 'Module/Topic' and 'Key Plot Points' to 'Key Concepts'.
- For collaborative projects, add a 'Collaborator' field to the 'Drafting & Writing' section to assign tasks to co-authors or editors.
- Expand the 'Publication & Marketing' section with specific fields for SEO keywords, cover design status, or ISBN acquisition for book launches.