Claude for Authors: The Writing Partner That Actually Reads Your Whole Manuscript

<task>Outline novel in three-act structure</task> <genre>[describe]</genre> <premise>[1-2 sentences]</premise> <protagonist>[goal, flaw, stake]</protagonist> <output> Act 1: inciting incident, first plot point, 3 key scenes Act 2a: rising action, midpoint reversal Act 2b: crisis, all-is-lost Act 3: climax, resolution, 3 key scenes Theme + genre pitfalls.

<task>Save the Cat beat sheet</task> <genre>[describe]</genre> <logline>[1 sentence]</logline> <output> 15 beats (Opening Image through Final Image). Per beat: page target, what happens, emotional function.

<task>Design protagonist arc</task> <character>[describe]</character> <start_state>[flaw, belief, pattern]</start_state> <end_state>[who they become]</end_state> <output> 3-5 internal milestones + external triggers + "lie they believe" vs "truth to learn" + relapse moment + final test + supporting character mirrors/challenges.

<task>Build world for [genre]</task> <premise>[describe]</premise> <output> 1. Central rule (one thing different from ours) 2. 5 implications of that rule 3. Geography + setting 4. Social structure + power dynamics 5. Economy 6. Conflict engine 7. Chapter 1 vs later reveals 8. Iceberg principle </output>

<task>Weave subplots into main plot</task> <main_plot>[describe]</main_plot> <characters>[list]</characters> <themes>[describe]</themes> <output> 3 subplots serving main story: character driver, conflict created, theme connection, climax moment, pacing, interaction between subplots, cut priority.

<task>Write scene starter</task> <scene_context>[describe]</scene_context> <pov>[character]</pov> <goal>[plot movement]</goal> <emotion>[describe]</emotion> <output> 3 opening paragraph options (action / dialogue / setting), for each: emotional beat fit, what to avoid, POV character state cue.

<task>Polish dialogue</task> <dialogue>[paste]</dialogue> <scene_context>[describe]</scene_context> <characters>[describe]</characters> <problems>[on-the-nose / stilted / info-dumpy]</problems> <output> Revised dialogue with: subtext, distinct voices, action beats (not just "he said"), strategic silence, emotional subtext.

<task>Fix telling in passage</task> <passage>[paste]</passage> <output> Rewrite showing: internal emotion through physical reaction, character judgment through action/word choice, backstory through present behavior (no flashback dumps), setting through sensory detail revealing mood. Flag what to never telegraph directly.

<task>Layer sensory detail into scene</task> <scene>[paste]</scene> <mood>[describe]</mood> <output> Add: specific sights, sounds (ambient + specific), smells (one strong, one subtle), physical sensations on POV character, taste if relevant. Select details that carry weight.

<task>Diagnose pacing</task> <section>[paste or summarize]</section> <word_count>[number]</word_count> <output> 1. Where pacing drags 2. Where it rushes 3. Scene tension meter (1-10 each) 4. What to cut / expand 5. Chapter-ending hooks 6. Genre expectation comparison </output>

<task>Draft query letter</task> <title>[title]</title> <word_count>[number]</word_count> <genre_age>[describe]</genre_age> <comps>[2-3]</comps> <bio>[describe]</bio> <logline>[1 sentence]</logline> <output> Hook paragraph (protagonist + incident + stakes) → plot paragraph (conflict, choice, stakes) → closing (emotional core) → bio → housekeeping. Under 350 words.

<task>1-2 page synopsis</task> <plot>[full plot + ending]</plot> <characters>[list]</characters> <output> 500-750 words covering full plot with ending. Emphasize character motivation + emotional arc. Major turning points. Present tense, third person. Cut subplots not serving main thread.

<task>Back-cover blurb</task> <title>[title]</title> <genre>[describe]</genre> <protagonist>[describe]</protagonist> <conflict>[describe]</conflict> <tone>[describe]</tone> <output> 150-200 words: intriguing opener → protagonist + situation → inciting incident + conflict → stakes → spoiler-free tease. Match book's actual tone.

<task>Find comparable titles</task> <my_book>[premise + tone + audience]</my_book> <output> Criteria: 3-5 years recent, same genre+age, similar tone/aesthetic, moderate success (not mega-bestseller). 2-3 ideal comps + 1-sentence justification + how my book is similar yet distinct.

<task>3 author bios for queries</task> <credentials>[list]</credentials> <platform>[describe]</platform> <output> Each 2-3 sentences: lead with most impressive credential, avoid irrelevant trivia, mention platform, memorable detail. No "always loved writing." 3 versions: credentials, platform, personality emphasis.