Sort Inbox Scenes into Manuscript
Sorts unsorted scenes into their proper place in the manuscript
Prompt
Move scenes from `Manuscript Material/Inbox/` into their proper places within the organized manuscript structure (e.g., `Manuscript Material/Manuscript/` chapter folders). --- ## Instructions ### Phase 1: Confirm Understanding Before proceeding, repeat your understanding of this task back to the user and wait for confirmation. Your summary should cover: - What you will move and where - Your approach for clear placements - Your approach for ambiguous placements - How you will handle dramatic pacing - What you will do with scenes that don't fit anywhere **Do not proceed until the user confirms your understanding is correct.** --- ### Phase 2: Read and Catalog Inbox Scenes Review every scene in the Inbox folder(s). For each scene, note: - **Content summary** β What happens in this scene? - **Characters involved** β Who appears? - **Emotional tone** β Is it tense, light, sad, funny, romantic, action-heavy, quiet? - **Timeline clues** β Any indicators of when this occurs relative to other events? - **Dependencies** β Does it reference or require events from other scenes? --- ### Phase 3: Read the Existing Manuscript Structure Review the current manuscript organization to understand: - Chapter/section breakdown and what each contains - The narrative timeline as currently structured - The emotional arc and pacing of each chapter - Where there are gaps, clusters of similar tone, or natural insertion points --- ### Phase 4: Place Scenes For each Inbox scene, determine placement using this hierarchy: #### 1. Clear and Obvious Placement If a scene **obviously belongs** in a specific chapter: - It directly continues or sets up events in that chapter - It takes place in the same location during the same story beat - Characters are doing exactly what that chapter depicts β **Place it there.** #### 2. Chronological Placement If the scene doesn't have an obvious home but has temporal/contextual clues: - Place it in the **general time period** when those characters are active or those events are occurring - Look for chapters where the characters are mentioned doing similar things - Find the narrative neighborhood where it fits β **Place it in the most logical chronological location.** #### 3. Dramatic Pacing Placement When choosing between multiple valid locations, consider **emotional rhythm**: - If a chapter has many heavy, tense, or sad scenes clustered together β place a lighter, funny, or hopeful scene to provide contrast and breathing room - If a chapter is all lightness β a scene with tension or weight can add depth - Vary the emotional texture to maintain reader engagement β **Choose the placement that best serves dramatic pacing.** #### 4. Flag as Orphan If a scene **truly does not fit anywhere**: - It contradicts established events - It involves characters or situations with no clear timeline anchor - Forcing it in would be awkward or confusing β **Do not force it.** Flag it for author decision. --- ### Phase 5: Execute Moves with Git Use `git mv` to preserve version history: ```bash git mv "Manuscript Material/Inbox/scene-file.md" "Manuscript Material/Manuscript/07-chapter-name/03-scene-file.md" ``` Rename files as needed to fit the numbering scheme of the destination folder. --- ### Phase 6: Commit and Document Commit your changes: ```bash git commit -m "Sort Inbox scenes into manuscript chapters" ``` --- ## Output Produce a **scene placement log**: ``` # Inbox Scene Placement Log ## Summary - Total Inbox scenes reviewed: [X] - Scenes placed (clear fit): [X] - Scenes placed (chronological fit): [X] - Scenes placed (pacing consideration): [X] - Scenes flagged as orphans: [X] --- ## Placements ### Clear Fit | Scene | Placed In | Rationale | |-------|-----------|-----------| | `safehouse-breakfast.md` | `07-Safehouse/03-safehouse-breakfast.md` | Direct continuation of safehouse arrival | | ... | ... | ... | ### Chronological Fit | Scene | Placed In | Rationale | |-------|-----------|-----------| | `team-argument.md` | `08-Planning/02-team-argument.md` | Characters are in planning phase; argument fits this period | | ... | ... | ... | ### Pacing-Based Placement | Scene | Placed In | Rationale | |-------|-----------|-----------| | `comic-relief-dinner.md` | `06-Aftermath/02-comic-relief-dinner.md` | Chapter 6 had three heavy scenes in a row; this provides tonal contrast | | ... | ... | ... | --- ## Orphaned Scenes (Require Author Decision) | Scene | Issue | Suggestion | |-------|-------|------------| | `mystery-flashback.md` | No clear timeline anchor; could be chapter 2 or chapter 9 | Author to clarify when this memory occurs | | `deleted-character-scene.md` | Features a character not in current draft | May be from earlier version; author to decide if character is restored | | ... | ... | ... | --- ## Pacing Notes [Any observations about the manuscript's emotional rhythm and how placements address it] - Chapter 7 was tension-heavy; added two lighter transitional scenes - Chapter 4 had no quiet moments; inserted reflective scene between action beats - ... ``` --- ## Notes - **Confirm understanding first** β Do not begin work until the user approves your approach. - **Read everything before moving anything** β You need full context to make good placement decisions. - **Clear fit > Chronological fit > Pacing fit** β Use this hierarchy, but pacing should influence choices between otherwise equal options. - **Don't force it** β If a scene doesn't belong anywhere, flag it. An awkward insertion harms the manuscript more than an honest "I don't know where this goes." - **Renumber as needed** β When inserting into an existing chapter folder, adjust sequence numbers so files sort correctly. - **Dramatic pacing is real editorial work** β Varying emotional tone is not arbitrary; it serves reader engagement. Take it seriously.
AI consultant and software creator helping businesses and creators harness artificial intelligence through practical solutions and innovative products. Creator of BestPromptIdeas.com.
Reviews
0 reviewsNo reviews yet. Be the first to leave feedback.
Related prompts
View category βResume Builder & Optimizer
Create a tailored, ATS-friendly resume with guided questions, rewrites, and expert optimization for any job or industry.
KDP Strategy Analysis
Your job is to analyze an existing story, outline, or manuscript and identify the most commercially viable Kindle Store categories and trope alignments it naturally supports, while respecting the authorβs creative intent as expressed in the text.
KDP New Story Concept Strategist
Your job is to help the user discover a commercially viable Kindle Store category and trope set for a story they may not fully understand yet, starting from whatever fragments, vibes, or intuitions they currently have, while preserving their creative intent.
Write/Revise Manuscript
Write or revise the manuscript scene by scene, following the **SCENE_OUTLINE.md** for structure and the **STYLE_GUIDE.md** for voice and conventions. Repurpose existing material wherever possible; write fresh only when necessary.
Generate Style Guide
Analyze the writing style of this manuscript and produce a **STYLE_GUIDE.md** document that codifies the stylistic conventions, voice, and authorial choices observed. This guide will serve as a reference for future work on the project, ensuring consistency when continuing, revising, or expanding the manuscript.
Copyedit Assessment
Conduct a **copyedit assessment** of this fiction manuscript. Evaluate the work at the **sentence level**, focusing on prose polish, grammar, word choice, and mechanical correctness.