When writing Nadene's Journey, I developed a set of AI prompts to assist with developmental editing. This page provides a structured outline of key editing steps, using Nadene's Journey as a real-world example. On the left, you'll find a step-by-step guide for effective developmental editing. On the right, you'll see AI-generated prompts designed to support each stage of the process. The key to success is using a large language model (LLM) with enough context capacity to handle an entire manuscript—Claude by Anthropic proved highly effective for my 50,000-word book.
AI prompts for developmental editing
1.1. Receive the Manuscript
Ensure receipt of the complete manuscript and any supplementary materials (e.g., research notes, timelines, interviews).
Clarify any missing or unclear sections with the author.
1.2. Understand the Author's Vision
Review the author’s goals, target audience, and intended message or themes.
Preserve and Share Personal Stories: The primary goal is to share Nadene's life stories with family and friends, celebrating her triumphs and experiences throughout the 1900s. This aims to honor her legacy and ensure that her personal history is preserved for future generations.
Highlight Her Life's Calling: The biography seeks to provide insights into Nadene's dedication to special education, showcasing her passion for caring for children with special needs. This aspect of her life demonstrates her commitment and contributions to an important field, offering inspiration to others.
Contribute to Historical Understanding: By documenting Nadene's life, the book aims to offer historians a glimpse into the everyday struggles and achievements of ordinary people in the 1900s. It emphasizes how individuals like Nadene have played significant roles in their communities and families, adding depth to historical narratives.
Leverage Generative AI for Storytelling: Another goal is to explore innovative storytelling methods by using generative AI technologies. This approach not only aids in crafting a compelling narrative but also reflects a modern technique in biographical writing, aligning with your interest in new technologies.
Familiarize yourself with the subject’s life, historical context, and cultural significance through preliminary research.
1.3. Initial Read-Through
Conduct an initial read of the manuscript without making detailed notes to get a sense of the overall flow, tone, and voice.
Phase 1: Initial Review & Preparation
Prompts:
Claude, please conduct a thorough and insightful Big Picture Review of Nadene’s biography manuscript while maintaining alignment with the supporting documents. Below are the prompts to guide your developmental review.
Logical Progression Prompt:
Review the overall structure of the manuscript. Does the narrative follow a clear and logical progression, either chronologically or thematically? Compare the manuscript's structure with the timeline of Nadene's life provided in the key events document. Identify gaps or inconsistencies between the manuscript and the timeline that need to be addressed.
Cohesive Connection Prompt:
Examine how well the chapters and sections are connected. Do transitions between major life events in Nadene's story feel smooth and natural? Identify areas where transitions between chapters or sections could be improved to maintain narrative flow.
2.1. Assess Structure & Organization
Goals:
Logical Progression: Check for logical progression, whether chronological or thematic.
Cohesive Narrative: Ensure each chapter builds towards a cohesive narrative, with effective transitions between sections.
Missing connections: Look for gaps in the narrative or missing connections between events.
Phase 2: Big Picture Review
Prompts:
Theme Prompt:
Identify the central themes of Nadene's biography. Do the themes align with the author's stated goals in the Q&A from the author? Are these themes consistently developed throughout the manuscript? Highlight any sections where the themes could be clarified or reinforced.
Character Development Prompt:
“Analyze the portrayal of Nadene in the manuscript. Is there a balance between her personal life, her public achievements, and her relationships with family and others, as discussed in the Q&A from Nadene and family? Suggest areas where Nadene's character development could be enhanced, drawing from these primary sources.”
Subplot Prompt:
Review the treatment of subplots and secondary characters. Are there any characters or side stories in Nadene's life that are either underdeveloped or overemphasized in the manuscript? Cross-reference these elements with the family Q&A and the timeline to ensure accuracy and relevance.
2.2. Evaluate Narrative Focus
Goals:
Themes: Identify key themes and ensure they are clearly developed throughout the manuscript.
Character Development: Assess the portrayal of the main subject and supporting characters for depth and balance.
Subplots: Determine if subplots are relevant and contribute to the main narrative.
Prompts:
Introduction Pacing Prompt:
Assess the pacing of the manuscript, particularly at the beginning. Does the biography start with a compelling hook that draws the reader in? Suggest improvements to the introduction if it lacks immediate engagement.
Engaging Pacing Prompt:
Evaluate the manuscript for any sections that slow down the narrative or feel unnecessary. Are there areas where the story becomes bogged down in excessive detail or tangents? Consider the timeline and research notes to determine if any sections can be condensed or removed without losing important information.
2.3. Check pacing and engagement
Goals:
Introduction Hook: Ensure the introduction hooks the reader.
Pacing: Verify that the story maintains momentum, avoiding slow or irrelevant sections.
Engaging Pacing: Confirm that pacing keeps the reader engaged throughout.
Prompts:
Fact Check Prompt:
Cross-check the key dates, events, and historical references in the manuscript with the research notes and timeline. Are there any discrepancies between the manuscript and the factual information provided in the source materials? Highlight any inconsistencies that need to be addressed.
Source Integration Prompt:
Review how well the research is integrated into Nadene's story. Does the manuscript strike a good balance between historical facts and narrative flow? Identify any sections where the research feels too heavy or detracts from the personal narrative and suggest ways to integrate it more seamlessly.
2.4. Fact Checking Accuracy
Goals:
Fact Check: Cross-reference historical facts, dates, and events for accuracy.
Source Integration: Ensure primary sources and research are integrated smoothly without overwhelming the narrative.
Prompts:
Tone Consistency Prompt:
Assess the tone of the manuscript. Is it consistent throughout Nadene's biography, and does it suit the subject matter? Compare the tone in different sections of the book with the goals of the book. Suggest adjustments where tone shifts might be necessary for consistency.
Complexity Prompt:
Examine the writing style of the manuscript. Is the writing clear, concise, and engaging? Identify any sections where the prose feels overly complex, redundant, or unclear. Suggest revisions to enhance readability, especially for complex events or emotions described in Nadene’s life.
3.1. Evaluate Writing Style and Tone
Goals:
Tone Consistency: Check for consistency in tone and voice across the manuscript.
Complexity: Identify sections that are unclear or overly complex, and suggest revisions for clarity and readability.
Phase 3: Detailed Manuscript Analysis
Prompts:
Cohesion Prompt:
Review the connections between major events in Nadene’s life. Are these events well-linked within the manuscript, with clear transitions and cause-effect relationships? Identify any gaps in the narrative where additional explanation or development is needed, especially in light of the timeline and research notes.
Repetition Prompt 1:
Identify sections of the manuscript that seem to repeat information unnecessarily or add little value to the overall narrative. Suggest areas for condensing or cutting content, ensuring that the core themes and messages remain clear and impactful.
Repetition Prompt 2:
Identify quotations that seem to repeat or be used multiple times. Suggest quotes that can be removed.
Progression Prompt:
Identify portions of narration that do not progress the story. Suggest areas for condensing or cutting, ensuring that the core themes and messages remain clear and impactful.
3.2. Suggest Revisions for Cohesion
Goals:
Cohesion: Highlight areas where transitions, connections, or themes need strengthening.
Repetition: Recommend cutting or reworking unnecessary sections.
Prompts:
Dialog Prompt:
Review the use of dialogue and quotations in the manuscript. Do they enhance the storytelling without feeling forced or overly dramatic? Suggest any adjustments where dialogue can be smoothed out or removed if it distracts from the overall narrative flow.
Quotation Prompt:
Ensure that the quotations from Nadene and her family in the Q&A documents are accurately represented and effectively woven into the narrative. Highlight any areas where quotes feel disconnected or could be better integrated into the flow of Nadene’s life story.
3.3. Examine Dialog and Quotes
Goals:
Ensure dialogue is used effectively and quotations are accurately attributed.
Prompts:
Conclusion and Resolution Prompt:
Analyze the conclusion of the manuscript. Does the biography end with a clear resolution or reflection on Nadene’s life that ties back to the central themes? If the resolution feels lacking or unresolved, suggest ways to strengthen the closing sections of the book.
3.4. Check Conclusion & Resolution
Goals:
Assess whether the biography concludes satisfactorily, offering reflection or resolution.
4.1. Organize Feedback
Divide feedback into key sections: structure, narrative, character portrayal, pacing, and style.
Highlight both strengths and areas for improvement.
Prioritize major changes first, leaving stylistic tweaks for later.
4.2. Prepare an Editorial Letter
Summarize your overall impressions of the manuscript.
Provide chapter-by-chapter feedback and specific recommendations.
Ask open-ended questions to prompt the author’s reflection and input.
4.3. Schedule a Discussion
Set up a meeting or call to review your feedback and clarify the next steps.
Adopt a collaborative tone, ensuring the author feels supported in the revision process.
Phase 4: Feedback & Author Communication
5.1. Track Revisions
Monitor changes the author makes and offer feedback in stages if needed.
5.2. Support the Author's Vision
Maintain a balance between offering constructive criticism and respecting the author’s voice and vision.
5.3. Encourage Dialogue
Be available for questions or concerns throughout the revision process.
Phase 5: Ongoing Collaboration
6.1. Final Read-Through
Review the revised manuscript thoroughly to ensure all changes are addressed.
6.2. Proofreading
Conduct a final proofread to catch any remaining errors or inconsistencies.
6.3. Final Fact-Check
Verify factual information one last time for accuracy before publication.
6.4. Author Approval
Ensure the author approves the final version of the manuscript before moving forward.