forsonny/the-crucible-writing-system-for-claude/crucible-writer

Phase 1: PROJECT SETUP
         ↓
Phase 2: STYLE CAPTURE
         ↓
Phase 3: CHAPTER WRITING (repeat for each chapter)
         │
         ├─→ Load Context
         ├─→ Write Scene-by-Scene  
         ├─→ Verify Against Outline
         ├─→ Update Story Bible
         └─→ Save Progress
         ↓
Phase 4: COMPILE MANUSCRIPT

python scripts/init_draft.py "./draft-project" "Book Title" --chapters 28 --target-words 150000

To begin writing, I need:
 
1. **Your complete chapter outline** (from crucible-outliner)
2. **The Crucible Summary Card** (for quick reference)
3. **A style sample** — either:
   - 2,000+ words of your previous writing, OR
   - Detailed description of your desired prose style
 
Please upload or paste these now.

**Writing Parameters:**
 
Target words per chapter: [calculated from total ÷ chapters]
POV style: [First/Third Limited/Third Omniscient/Multiple]
Tense: [Past/Present]
Genre conventions to follow: [Cultivation fantasy / Epic fantasy / etc.]
Pacing preference: [Dense/Balanced/Breezy]

{
  "questions": [
    {
      "header": "Parameters",
      "question": "Do these writing parameters look correct?",
      "options": [
        {"label": "Confirm settings", "description": "Proceed with these parameters"},
        {"label": "Adjust settings", "description": "Modify one or more parameters"}
      ],
      "multiSelect": false
    }
  ]
}

**STYLE PROFILE**
 
Sentence Structure:
- Average length: [Short/Medium/Long/Varied]
- Complexity: [Simple/Compound/Complex/Mixed]
- Rhythm pattern: [Staccato/Flowing/Varied]
 
Vocabulary:
- Register: [Formal/Informal/Mixed]
- Density: [Sparse/Rich/Purple]
- Unusual word frequency: [Low/Medium/High]
 
Dialogue:
- Tag style: [Minimal/Standard/Elaborate]
- Dialect/Voice distinction: [Strong/Moderate/Subtle]
- Subtext usage: [Heavy/Moderate/Light]
 
Description:
- Sensory focus: [Visual/Auditory/Tactile/Mixed]
- Metaphor density: [Sparse/Moderate/Rich]
- Setting integration: [Separate blocks/Woven in]
 
Interiority:
- Internal monologue: [Rare/Occasional/Frequent]
- Emotional showing vs. telling: [Show-heavy/Balanced/Tell-heavy]
 
Pacing:
- Scene transitions: [Abrupt/Smooth/Varied]
- White space usage: [Dense paragraphs/Frequent breaks]
 
**SIGNATURE ELEMENTS:**
[List 3-5 distinctive features of this author's voice]

Based on your sample, here's your style profile:
 
[Show extracted profile]
 
**Sample of how I'll write in this style:**
 
[Write 200-word sample matching the style]

{
  "questions": [
    {
      "header": "Style",
      "question": "Does this capture your writing voice?",
      "options": [
        {"label": "Captures my voice", "description": "Proceed with this style profile"},
        {"label": "Needs adjustment", "description": "Specify what's off about the style"},
        {"label": "Show another sample", "description": "See a different example in this style"}
      ],
      "multiSelect": false
    }
  ]
}

**WRITING: Chapter [X], Scene [Y]**
 
From outline:
- Goal: [scene goal]
- Conflict: [what opposes]
- Turn: [how it shifts]
- Key moments: [listed]
- Plants/Payoffs: [listed]
 
Writing this scene now...

**Chapter [X] Complete**
 
Word count: [X,XXX]
Target: [X,XXX]
Status: [Under/On target/Over]
 
**Outline Verification:**
- [✓] All required scenes written
- [✓] All key moments included
- [✓] All plants executed
- [✓] All payoffs resolved (for this chapter)
- [✓] Chapter turn achieved
- [✓] Ending hook present
 
**Continuity Check:**
- [✓] Character states consistent
- [✓] Timeline consistent
- [✓] No new elements invented

{
  "questions": [
    {
      "header": "Chapter",
      "question": "How would you like to proceed with this chapter?",
      "options": [
        {"label": "Approve & save", "description": "Save chapter and continue to next"},
        {"label": "Review scene", "description": "Look at a specific scene in detail"},
        {"label": "Revise", "description": "Make changes before saving"}
      ],
      "multiSelect": false
    }
  ]
}

python scripts/update_story_bible.py "./draft-project" --chapter X

python scripts/compile_manuscript.py "./draft-project"

manuscript/
├── full-manuscript.md       # Complete draft
├── full-manuscript.docx     # Word format
├── chapter-word-counts.md   # Statistics
└── continuity-report.md     # Potential issues flagged

**Loading Draft: [Title]**
 
Last saved: [timestamp]
Chapters complete: [X of Y]
Current chapter: [X], Scene [Y]
Total words: [X,XXX]
 
Loading story bible and style profile...
 
Ready to continue.

{
  "questions": [
    {
      "header": "Resume",
      "question": "How would you like to continue?",
      "options": [
        {"label": "Resume writing", "description": "Continue from Scene [Y] of Chapter [X]"},
        {"label": "Review current", "description": "Review what was written in current chapter"},
        {"label": "Jump to chapter", "description": "Go to a different chapter"},
        {"label": "Show story bible", "description": "View current story bible state"}
      ],
      "multiSelect": false
    }
  ]
}

Revising Chapter [X], Scene [Y]...
[Show original]
[Show revision]
Confirm replacement? (Y/N)

Adjusting style profile...
[Show what's changing]
[Write sample in adjusted style]
Confirm adjustment? (Y/N)

{
  "questions": [
    {
      "header": "Deviation",
      "question": "This differs from the outline. How would you like to proceed?",
      "options": [
        {"label": "Update outline (Recommended)", "description": "Modify outline to match—keeps all docs in sync"},
        {"label": "Proceed without update", "description": "Continue but may cause continuity issues later"},
        {"label": "Discuss first", "description": "Talk through the implications before deciding"}
      ],
      "multiSelect": false
    }
  ]
}