# Chapter Development Workflow — Book 1

This document describes the 5-stage pipeline for developing each chapter of Book 1. Every chapter follows this process from seed to final.

---

## File Structure Per Chapter

Each chapter produces three files:

```
chapters/book1/
  chXX-input.md    ← Author's seed notes (preserved, never overwritten)
  chXX-draft.md    ← Working draft built scene by scene
  chXX-final.md    ← Post-revision final version
```

---

## Stage 1: Seed

The author copies `chapter-input-template.md` to `chXX-input.md` and fills in:

- **Scene Goals** — what must happen (plot beats, revelations, setup)
- **Key Dialog** — specific lines or exchanges to include
- **Character Moments** — interactions, emotional beats, relationship developments
- **Mood / Tone** — atmosphere, pacing, energy level
- **Freeform Notes** — fragments, vibes, raw dialog, images, "what if" ideas

This file is the author's territory. Claude never overwrites it.

---

## Stage 2: Scene Breakdown

Claude reads the input file alongside:

- The Book 1 outline (`/outline/book1-outline.md`)
- The master CLAUDE.md (voice, world, formatting rules)
- Relevant character files and continuity notes

Claude then proposes a **scene-by-scene plan** for the chapter:

- Number of scenes, estimated word counts
- What each scene accomplishes
- Where the input's dialog and character moments slot in
- The chapter's opening hook and closing beat

The author reviews, adjusts, and approves before drafting begins.

---

## Stage 3: Draft (Interactive, Scene by Scene)

For each scene in the approved breakdown:

1. **Claude drafts the scene** (~500–1,500 words)
2. **Author reviews** — adds dialog, redirects, suggests changes
3. **Claude revises** with light polish based on feedback
4. **Scene is appended** to `chXX-draft.md`

Repeat until all scenes are complete. The draft file accumulates the full chapter.

### Guidelines During Drafting

- Follow Phelan's voice exactly (first-person, past tense, dry wit, ADD tangents)
- Comply with KDP formatting from the first draft (em dashes, smart quotes, scene breaks)
- Flag continuity concerns inline with `[CONTINUITY FLAG: note]`
- Target 3,000–5,000 words for the complete chapter
- End with either a resolved beat or a micro-hook — never just stop

---

## Stage 4: Full-Chapter Revision

Once all scenes are drafted, Claude performs a complete read-through checking:

- **Flow** — do scenes connect smoothly? Are transitions earned?
- **Pacing** — action scenes clipped, investigation scenes discursive, quiet scenes slow?
- **Voice** — does every paragraph sound like Phelan?
- **Continuity** — any conflicts with established canon?
- **KDP compliance** — formatting, typography, chapter structure

Claude flags issues and proposes edits. Author approves or adjusts. The revised chapter is saved to `chXX-final.md`.

---

## Stage 5: Continuity Update

After the chapter is finalized, update project files as needed:

- `/world/magic/exploits-log.md` — any new exploits Phelan used
- `/characters/` — new named characters, relationship changes, status updates
- `/world/locations/` — new locations introduced
- `/world/` — any new world facts established in prose

Once stated in final prose, it's canon.

---

## Quick Reference

| Stage | Who Leads | Output |
|-------|-----------|--------|
| 1. Seed | Author | `chXX-input.md` |
| 2. Scene Breakdown | Claude (author approves) | Approved scene plan |
| 3. Draft | Claude + Author (interactive) | `chXX-draft.md` |
| 4. Revision | Claude (author approves) | `chXX-final.md` |
| 5. Continuity | Claude | Updated world/character files |