110 lines
3.6 KiB
Markdown
110 lines
3.6 KiB
Markdown
# Chapter Development Workflow — Book 1
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This document describes the 5-stage pipeline for developing each chapter of Book 1. Every chapter follows this process from seed to final.
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---
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## File Structure Per Chapter
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Each chapter produces three files:
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```
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chapters/book1/
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chXX-input.md ← Author's seed notes (preserved, never overwritten)
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chXX-draft.md ← Working draft built scene by scene
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chXX-final.md ← Post-revision final version
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```
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---
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## Stage 1: Seed
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The author copies `chapter-input-template.md` to `chXX-input.md` and fills in:
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- **Scene Goals** — what must happen (plot beats, revelations, setup)
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- **Key Dialog** — specific lines or exchanges to include
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- **Character Moments** — interactions, emotional beats, relationship developments
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- **Mood / Tone** — atmosphere, pacing, energy level
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- **Freeform Notes** — fragments, vibes, raw dialog, images, "what if" ideas
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This file is the author's territory. Claude never overwrites it.
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---
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## Stage 2: Scene Breakdown
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Claude reads the input file alongside:
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- The Book 1 outline (`/outline/book1-outline.md`)
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- The master CLAUDE.md (voice, world, formatting rules)
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- Relevant character files and continuity notes
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Claude then proposes a **scene-by-scene plan** for the chapter:
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- Number of scenes, estimated word counts
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- What each scene accomplishes
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- Where the input's dialog and character moments slot in
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- The chapter's opening hook and closing beat
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The author reviews, adjusts, and approves before drafting begins.
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---
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## Stage 3: Draft (Interactive, Scene by Scene)
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For each scene in the approved breakdown:
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1. **Claude drafts the scene** (~500–1,500 words)
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2. **Author reviews** — adds dialog, redirects, suggests changes
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3. **Claude revises** with light polish based on feedback
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4. **Scene is appended** to `chXX-draft.md`
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Repeat until all scenes are complete. The draft file accumulates the full chapter.
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### Guidelines During Drafting
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- Follow Phelan's voice exactly (first-person, past tense, dry wit, ADD tangents)
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- Comply with KDP formatting from the first draft (em dashes, smart quotes, scene breaks)
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- Flag continuity concerns inline with `[CONTINUITY FLAG: note]`
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- Target 3,000–5,000 words for the complete chapter
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- End with either a resolved beat or a micro-hook — never just stop
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---
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## Stage 4: Full-Chapter Revision
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Once all scenes are drafted, Claude performs a complete read-through checking:
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- **Flow** — do scenes connect smoothly? Are transitions earned?
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- **Pacing** — action scenes clipped, investigation scenes discursive, quiet scenes slow?
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- **Voice** — does every paragraph sound like Phelan?
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- **Continuity** — any conflicts with established canon?
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- **KDP compliance** — formatting, typography, chapter structure
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Claude flags issues and proposes edits. Author approves or adjusts. The revised chapter is saved to `chXX-final.md`.
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---
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## Stage 5: Continuity Update
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After the chapter is finalized, update project files as needed:
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- `/world/magic/exploits-log.md` — any new exploits Phelan used
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- `/characters/` — new named characters, relationship changes, status updates
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- `/world/locations/` — new locations introduced
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- `/world/` — any new world facts established in prose
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Once stated in final prose, it's canon.
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---
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## Quick Reference
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| Stage | Who Leads | Output |
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|-------|-----------|--------|
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| 1. Seed | Author | `chXX-input.md` |
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| 2. Scene Breakdown | Claude (author approves) | Approved scene plan |
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| 3. Draft | Claude + Author (interactive) | `chXX-draft.md` |
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| 4. Revision | Claude (author approves) | `chXX-final.md` |
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| 5. Continuity | Claude | Updated world/character files |
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