The idea of this story came to me while reading one of Vince Mao's stories (link at the end of this story).
In that story, Vince reflects on his writing journey as a 90-day sprint. The frequent use of the term "sprint" brought the Agile framework to my mind.
For those who are not familiar with this framework, here is a simple definition:
Agile methodology is a project management framework that breaks projects down into several dynamic phases, commonly known as sprints.
Now, you know me — sometimes, when I write about serious topics, I love to put on the droll hat. I'm aware that I might not be knowledgeable enough to create a comprehensive story on those subjects.
So, here's a gamesome take on an intrepid writer's journey and his 30-day sprint, playing with some of the most used Agile concepts and terminology.
User Stories
Our protagonist begins by crafting user stories with the end user (his reader) in mind. Each plot twist, character arc, and metaphor became an epic tale — a backlog of creativity waiting to be prioritized.
Our writer scribbles a few sentences in simple language that outlines how his story will deliver a particular value to his reader.
Daily Standups
This one is really funny: imagine a virtual standup, coffee in hand, where our writer faced the mirror and asked, "What did I write yesterday? What's blocking my flow today?" And the answer: a stubborn muse who insisted on a Kanban board of distractions.
Sprint Review
At the end of each week (or month), they gathered their literary artifacts. The backlog items were transformed into chapters, and the team (consisting of a cat, a potted plant, and a half-eaten banana) provided feedback. "Too verbose!" hissed the cat. "Needs more metaphors!" whispered the plant. Thank you, feline critic and botanical bard. I'll prune the prose and sow more metaphors!
Retrospective
Shh! The retrospective is a sacred ceremony where our writer reflected on their sprint.
With the Agile Manifesto in his hands, he pondered the 4 pillars of Agile, like a monk contemplating koans:
- Value #1: "Individuals and interactions over processes and tools." Translation: More coffee breaks, fewer grammar checkers.
- Value #2: "Working software over comprehensive documentation." Our writer nodded sagely, realizing that verbose footnotes and the long references list were the enemy of progress.
- Value #3: "Customer collaboration over contract negotiation." Our writer-reader knows the value of 50 claps — the mystical currency of Medium. Head-to-tail read, highlights, comments — a clandestine marketplace where all these are traded like spices in a bustling bazaar.
- Value #4: "Responding to change over following a plan." The banana, half-peeled, symbolized adaptability. "Follow the plan," they say. Nay! We follow the constellations — the shimmering feedback, the reader's heartbeat.
Velocity
Our writer tracked their word count velocity. Some days, he sprinted like a caffeinated cheetah; other days, he crawled like a snail with writer's block. But hey, Agile isn't about perfection — it's about iteration.
Pair Writing
Occasionally, our writer paired with a fellow writer. Two minds, one keyboard — like a poetic tango. "Your adjectives are exquisite," said Writer A. "And your similes? Pure gold," replied Writer B.
Definition of Done (DoD)
The finish line loomed. Our writer squinted at their screen, asking, "When is a story truly done?" The cat yawned, the plant photosynthesized, the banana whispered, "When it feels ripe." And the writer had a dream of viral fame, envisioning his article going viral.
But let's stay a bit more on this one as it is the title of this article, isn't it?
So, what would a more grounded Definition of Done sound for a Medium Writer?
- Research and Outline: Dive into the topic, gather reliable sources, and create a structured outline. Bonus points for resisting the allure of cat videos during research.😻
- Write and Revise: Craft your article with clarity and purpose. Edit mercilessly — like a gardener pruning unruly sentences.
- Peer Review: Seek feedback from a fellow writer or trusted friend. Accept constructive criticism without throwing your laptop out the window.
- Visuals and Formatting: Add eye-catching images, break up text with subheadings, and ensure readability. Pretend you're designing a cozy reading nook.
- Proofread (Thrice): Hunt down typos, misplaced commas, and rogue apostrophes. Triple-check — it's like finding Waldo in a sea of letters.
- Publish and Share: Hit that "Publish" button. Celebrate with a cup of tea (or something stronger). Then share your masterpiece across social media.
- Stats Obsession: Refresh your Medium stats page. Experience a rollercoaster of emotions: "Yay, views!" to "Why does nobody appreciate my semicolon usage?"
- Engage with Readers: Respond to comments. Resist the urge to engage in heated debates about Oxford commas.
- Dream Big: Imagine your article resonating with readers worldwide. Wake up, smile, and start your next piece. Rinse and repeat.
Post Mortem
And so, our dear sprinter, armed with Agile wisdom and a dash of whimsy, conquered his literary backlog. He evaluates where things went well and where failures occurred and hopes his next sprint will be even more epic.
Vince's story — the muse for my piece:
References:
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