novel-writer-workflow-guide

Novel Writer Systematic Creative Workflow

When the user says "I want to write a novel"

Immediately activate this workflow guide.

Overview of the Seven-Step Methodology

1. /constitution  → 建立创作原则
2. /specify       → 定义故事规格
3. /clarify       → 澄清模糊点
4. /plan          → 制定创作计划
5. /tasks         → 分解执行任务
6. /write         → AI 辅助写作
7. /analyze       → 质量验证分析

Detailed Step-by-Step Guidance

Step 1: Establish Creative Principles

"Let's start by using /constitution to define your creative principles. This establishes your core values, quality standards, and the non-negotiable rules for this story."

Why This Matters: As your "creative constitution" - decisions will refer back to these principles.

What to Include：

• Core values (what ideas to convey)
• Quality bottom line (what must never be compromised)
• Style principles (language, pacing, atmosphere)
• Content principles (character, plot, worldbuilding norms)

Typical Duration: 15-20 minutes

Step 2: Define Story Specifications

"Now use /specify to create a story document similar to a product specification. Think like a product manager: what is this story, who is it written for, and what makes it unique?"

What to Include：

• One-sentence summary
• Target readers
• Core conflict
• Main characters
• Success criteria

Why This Matters：

• Clarify "for whom to write" and "what to write"
• Set measurable success criteria
• Provide clear goals for subsequent creation

Typical Duration: 30-45 minutes

Special Markers：

• [需要澄清] - Mark points that need further clarification
• [核心需求] - Non-negotiable requirements
• [可选特性] - Nice-to-have content

Step 3: Clarify Key Decisions

"Run /clarify to resolve any unclear aspects through 5 precise questions. The AI will identify ambiguities in your specifications and help you make clear decisions."

Why This Matters: Ambiguity in planning = chaos in writing.

Process：

• AI identifies ambiguities in the specifications
• Generates up to 5 key questions
• Interactive answers, with answers directly updating the specifications
• Preserves decision history for traceability

Typical Questions：

• "Is the protagonist's core motivation revenge or justice?"
• "Is the story's pacing fast-paced and satisfying or slow-burn and refined?"
• "Is the ending a happy reunion or one that leaves regret?"

Typical Duration: 10-15 minutes

Step 4: Formulate a Creative Plan

"Use /plan to create the chapter structure and technical approach. This is where you decide how to implement your specifications."

What to Design：

• Chapter breakdown and active plotlines
• Pacing and tension distribution
• Foreshadowing plan
• Character arc mapping

Why This Matters：

• Turn abstract requirements into concrete plans
• Choose appropriate writing methods and structures
• Design the concrete implementation of plot, characters, and worldbuilding

Examples of Technical Decisions：

• "Use the seven-point structure to enhance suspense"
• "Adopt multi-threaded narration to show complexity"
• "Increase mystery through a limited perspective"

Typical Duration: 45-60 minutes

Step 5: Break Down and Execute Tasks

"Execute /tasks to generate an actionable task list with priorities, dependencies, and estimated effort."

Task Types：

• Chapter writing tasks
• Character profile refinement
• Worldbuilding setting supplementation
• Revision and polishing tasks

Task Markers：

• [P] - Can be executed in parallel
• [依赖:X] - Depends on completion of task X
• [高优] - High-priority task

Why This Matters：

• Big goals become small steps, reducing the difficulty of creation
• Clarify priorities and dependencies
• Support parallel creation to improve efficiency

Typical Duration: 20-30 minutes

Step 6: Start Writing

"Now /write chapter by chapter with AI assistance. The spec and plan guide each chapter to ensure consistency."

While Writing：

• Genre knowledge skills activate automatically
• The consistency checker runs in the background
• Pacing monitoring alerts when issues are detected

Execution Principles：

• Strictly follow the principles of the constitution
• Refer to the technical approach in the plan
• Complete the specific tasks in tasks
• Maintain consistency with the spec

Recommended Pace：

• 1-2 chapters per writing session
• Stop every 3-5 chapters to review
• Maintain forward momentum, do not over-edit

Step 7: Quality Check

"Run every 5 chapters /analyze to maintain quality and catch issues early."

Two Analysis Modes：

• Framework analysis(before writing): validate planning
• Content analysis(after writing): validate execution

Validation Dimensions：

• Constitution compliance (whether core principles are violated)
• Spec satisfaction (whether requirements are fulfilled)
• Content consistency (plot, timeline, characters)
• Quality standards (whether the set standards are met)

When to Run：

• After completing the first 3 chapters (early validation)
• Every 5 chapters (regular checks)
• After completing the draft (comprehensive review)

Skills Activate Automatically

When following this workflow, relevant skills will activate based on context:

During /specify During：

• If you mention "romance" → Romance skill activates
• If you mention "mystery" → Mystery skill activates
• If you mention "fantasy" → Fantasy skill activates

During /write During：

• Writing dialogue → Dialogue Techniques activates
• Writing scenes → Scene Structure activates
• Any writing → Consistency Checker runs in the background

Throughout the Entire Process：

• Workflow Guide (this skill) remains active
• Ensure you do not skip key steps
• Provide reminders when needed

When the User Deviates

If the user tries to skip steps or start writing directly without a plan:

Gentle reminder：

"I notice you're jumping straight to writing. Novel-writer's advantage lies in systematic upfront planning. Do you want to run /constitution and /specify to build a solid foundation? This will make the writing process smoother and help maintain consistency."

If the user insists on skipping：

"I understand - you can always create planning documents later. However, please note that without /specify and /plan, you'll need to manually track consistency."

Adjustments for projects of different scales

Short story (10,000-30,000 words)

Simplified process：

/specify → /clarify → /write → /analyze

Focus: Clarify the core conflict and turning points

Time: 1-2 days of intensive work

Novella (100,000-200,000 words)

Standard process：

完整七步

Focus: Planning and task breakdown

Time: 2-6 months

Long-form serial (500,000 words+)

Reinforced process：

重复循环 plan → tasks → write → analyze

Focus: Continuous consistency verification

Time: 6-18 months

Handling common questions

"I already have an outline"

"Great! Let's use /specify to convert it into novel-writer's format. This makes it machine-readable and enables all tracking features."

Process：

1. Import an existing outline
2. Format with /specify Format with
3. Fill gaps with /clarify Fill gaps with
4. Create a detailed technical plan with /plan Create a detailed technical plan with

"This looks like a lot of setup"

"Setup takes 30-60 minutes, but saves hours of revision. You're essentially creating the 'source code' for your novel - modify the spec, regenerate the content. Without it, changes require manual rewriting of the entire text."

Benefits：

• Consistency maintained automatically
• Changes propagate automatically
• Quality checks systematized
• Revisions faster and easier

"Can I use only part of the workflow?"

"Yes, but some commands depend on each other:

• /write requires /specify and /plan to work effectively
• /analyze requires written chapters to evaluate
• /track requires /track-init

first/constitution → /specify → /write"

Minimum viable workflow:：

• /clarify Fully optional
• /tasks - if your spec is already clear
• /analyze - if you prefer free-form writing

- though strongly recommended

"Is this suitable for my writing style?"：

• Compatible writing stylesPlanner
• : will love the structurePantser /write
• (writing by feel): use lightweight specs, focus onHybrid

: adjust as needed：

• Adjustment suggestions /plan Planner: spend more time on
• Pantser: keep /specify short, allow for discovery
• Hybrid: use the full process but stay flexible

Progress tracking

Visual progress indicator

As you go through the workflow, I'll show you where you are:

✅ /constitution  完成
✅ /specify       完成
✅ /clarify       完成
🔄 /plan          进行中...
⏸️ /tasks         待定
⏸️ /write         待定
⏸️ /analyze       待定

Milestones

Planning phase complete（steps 1-5）：

• You have a complete story blueprint
• Ready to start writing
• All major decisions have been made

First draft complete(Step 6):

• All chapters written
• Ready for comprehensive analysis
• Entering revision phase

Quality validation passed(Step 7):

• Consistency validation
• Meets quality standards
• Ready to publish or further polish

Integration with other Skills

Automatic triggering

When you mention a genre：

• "Romance" → Romance skill provides conventions
• "Mystery" → Mystery skill provides clue placement
• "Fantasy" → Fantasy skill provides worldbuilding

When you encounter difficulties：

• "Characters feel flat" → suggests Character Development commands
• "Scenes drag" → Scene Structure skill activates
• "Dialogue is stiff" → Dialogue Techniques skill activates

Collaborative workflow

All Skills know the workflow：

• They will reference your position in the workflow
• Suggestions are appropriate based on the current stage
• Remind you to complete previous steps when needed

Success patterns

High-productivity pattern

周一：/constitution + /specify（2-3小时）
周二：/clarify + /plan（2-3小时）
周三：/tasks + 开始 /write（2-3小时）
周四-周日：/write 会话（每天1-2小时）
下周一：/analyze + 计划下一批

Exploratory pattern

第1周：/constitution + 轻量级 /specify
第2-3周：/write 探索性章节
第4周：基于学习更新 /specify 和 /plan
第5-8周：结构化 /write
第9周：/analyze 和修订

Sprint pattern (NaNoWriMo)

第1天：快速 /constitution + /specify + /plan（4小时）
第2-27天：密集 /write（每天2000字）
第28-30天：/analyze + 紧急修复

You are not alone

Throughout the entire process：

• I am here to guide and remind
• Skills automatically apply expertise
• Consistency is checked automatically
• You focus on creation, the system handles organization

You are always in control：

• Skip steps you don't need
• Adjust to fit your style
• Change plans at any time
• The tool serves you, not the other way around

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Remember: this workflow is not a shackle - it is scaffolding. It supports your creative process and makes powerful things possible. Once you are familiar with it, it becomes second nature, and you will wonder how you ever wrote without it.

Ready to begin? Let's start with /constitution !