Session Flow Guide

Complete workflow for a ghost writing session, from intake to completion.

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Session Overview

A ghost writing session moves through these phases:

1. Intake — Gather requirements and assess readiness
2. Pre-Draft Verification — Confirm understanding and surface concerns
3. Drafting — Generate the drafts
4. Output Delivery — Present structured output
5. Feedback Collection — Gather structured feedback
6. DNA Refinement — Suggest profile updates
7. Iteration — Revise as needed

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Phase 1: Intake

Step 1.1: Receive DNA Document

Action: Request or receive the Voice DNA Document.

Checks:

• Is this a valid DNA document from writing-dna-discovery?
• What is the Readiness Level? (Minimum Viable / Solid / Strong)
• How old is the profile? (Flag if >6 months)
• What dimensions are Strong vs. Emerging?

If no DNA document provided:

"I need a Voice DNA Document to match your voice. Have you completed a session with the writing-dna-discovery skill? If not, I'd recommend starting there."

Do not proceed without a DNA document.

Step 1.2: Receive Writing Task

Action: Accept the task description. Use hybrid approach.

Accept free-form descriptions like:

• "Write a blog post about why I left my corporate job"
• "I need a newsletter intro about our product launch"
• "Essay exploring the decline of physical bookstores"

Ask targeted follow-ups only if key information is missing:

One question at a time. Don't stack multiple questions.

Step 1.3: Run Pre-Draft Checks

Run through systematically:

Register Match Check: If DNA document register (e.g., "Blog") differs from task format (e.g., newsletter):

"Your DNA document captures your blog voice, but you're asking for a newsletter. Should I apply your blog voice here, or did you mean to use a different profile?"

• If intentional cross-pollination: Note and proceed
• If accidental: Pause for correct profile

Research Check: If research is provided or implied:

1. Review the research for sufficiency
2. Identify gaps: "Your research covers X and Y, but I don't see Z. Should I proceed without it, or do you have more?"
3. Summarize understanding: "My take on your research: [summary]. Accurate?"
4. Ask about citations: "How should I handle citations? Inline links, footnotes, or woven into prose?"

Sensitive Topic Check: If topic is controversial, personal, or high-stakes:

"This touches on [topic], which can be sensitive. How bold should I be?

• Full-throated: Your direct voice without pulling punches
• Measured: Your voice, but more careful framing
• Your guidance: [let them specify]"

Multiple Audience Check: If piece seems aimed at different readers:

"This seems like it needs to work for both [audience A] and [audience B]. Should I:

• Prioritize one (which?)
• Balance both
• Generate separate versions for each audience"

Series Check: If piece seems part of a series:

"Is this part of a series? If so, share prior parts or established patterns so I can maintain consistency."

Derivative Work Check: If continuing or expanding existing content:

"To match your existing content closely, please share what you've already written. I'll analyze it alongside your DNA document."

Tone Modifier Check: If user requests a deviation:

"You said 'more urgent than usual'—I'll layer that on top of your DNA patterns. I'll note where I adjusted."

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Phase 2: Pre-Draft Verification

Step 2.1: Voice Strength Preview

Action: Share your assessment of DNA document strength.

"Based on your DNA document:

• Strong: [dimensions with detailed coverage]
• Moderate: [dimensions with decent coverage]
• Light: [dimensions with minimal or no coverage]

I'll be most confident in Strong areas. Any specific guidance for the Light areas?"

Purpose: Set expectations and catch gaps before drafting.

Step 2.2: Task Summary

Action: Summarize your understanding.

"Here's my understanding:

• Topic: [core subject]
• Audience: [who they're writing for]
• Purpose: [inform/persuade/entertain/inspire]
• Format: [blog/newsletter/essay/etc.]
• Key points: [what to cover]
• Approach: [how you plan to handle it]"

Wait for confirmation.

Step 2.3: Surface Concerns

Action: Raise any tensions or issues.

Examples:

"One concern: Your DNA shows a casual tone, but this topic might need some authority. I'll try to balance, but review carefully."

"Note: The research doesn't include counterarguments. Want me to address them speculatively, or skip that angle?"

"This is a long piece (~2,500 words). Want me to deliver it complete, or work section-by-section with feedback between?"

Step 2.4: Confirm Readiness

Action: Get explicit go-ahead.

"Ready to draft?"

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Phase 3: Drafting

Step 3.1: Generate Two Drafts

Action: Create two meaningfully different versions.

Differences can be:

• Structural (narrative vs. analytical)
• Opening strategy (anecdote vs. thesis-first)
• Emphasis (different aspects of topic)
• Tone variation (within documented range)

Both drafts should:

• Apply DNA patterns fully
• Suppress anti-patterns
• Include 2-3 headline options
• Be complete and readable

Step 3.2: Apply Voice Patterns

During drafting:

• Reference DNA document's "Do This" items actively
• Avoid "Don't Do This" items strictly
• Use "When Uncertain" rules for ambiguous choices
• Match sentence rhythm, punctuation, word choice
• Mirror emotional temperature

Step 3.3: Suppress Anti-Patterns

During drafting:

• Check DNA document's specific anti-patterns
• Apply baseline anti-AI patterns (from references/anti-ai-patterns.md)
• If you write something that feels like AI, revise immediately

Step 3.4: Long-Form Considerations

For pieces over 2,000 words:

• Re-ground in DNA patterns at section breaks
• After drafting, do a voice consistency check
• Monitor for rhythm monotony
• Note any sections that may have drifted

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Phase 4: Output Delivery

Step 4.1: Structure Output

Follow the format from references/output-format-guide.md:

1. Confidence Header
2. Draft A (headlines + content)
3. Draft A Notes
4. Draft B (headlines + content)
5. Draft B Notes
6. Comparison Summary
7. Consistency Check (if applicable)

Step 4.2: Be Transparent

• Note all uncertainties
• Mark inferred patterns
• Share honest observations in Comparison
• Flag any concerns

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Phase 5: Feedback Collection

Step 5.1: Ask Structured Questions

After user reviews drafts:

"Before we continue, I'd like to capture what worked and what didn't:

1. What felt most authentically 'you' in these drafts?
2. Anything that felt off or not quite your voice?
3. Any patterns I should lean into more, or avoid going forward?"

Step 5.2: Listen Carefully

Map feedback to categories:

Step 5.3: Clarify If Needed

If feedback is vague, ask for specifics:

"When you say it felt 'off'—was it the word choice, the tone, the structure, or something else?"

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Phase 6: DNA Refinement Suggestions

Step 6.1: Translate Feedback

Action: Convert feedback into actionable DNA document updates.

Format:

"Based on your feedback, consider these updates to your Voice DNA Document:

Add to Anti-Patterns:

• "[Pattern]" — [Reasoning]

Strengthen in Voice Profile:

• [Dimension]: [What to add or emphasize]

Add to 'Do This':

• [Specific instruction]

Add to 'When Uncertain':

• [Decision rule]

You can apply these yourself or run a refinement session with the writing-dna-discovery skill."

Step 6.2: Be Specific

• Concrete, actionable suggestions
• Include reasoning
• Reference the feedback that prompted each suggestion

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Phase 7: Iteration

Step 7.1: Understand User Intent

Listen for signals:

Step 7.2: Handle Revisions

When revising:

• If notes are unclear, ask: "You said 'punchier'—can you point to specific lines that need it?"
• Offer perspective: "I can shorten it, but you might lose [X]. Worth the trade-off?"
• Maintain voice consistency across versions
• Track what changed for context

Step 7.3: Know When to Stop

Signs the session should end:

• User explicitly says they're satisfied
• User says they'll revise themselves
• Multiple iterations without progress (ask: "Are we getting closer, or should we try a different approach?")

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Session Checkpoints

Checkpoint: After Intake

• DNA document received and reviewed
• Task clearly understood
• All pre-draft checks completed
• No blockers identified

Checkpoint: Before Drafting

• Voice strength preview shared
• Task summary confirmed
• Concerns surfaced
• User gave go-ahead

Checkpoint: After Output

• Both drafts complete
• Notes transparent
• Comparison helpful
• User has what they need to evaluate

Checkpoint: After Feedback

• Feedback clearly understood
• DNA refinement suggestions ready
• Clear on next steps

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Handling Session Variations

Quick Turnaround Requests

If user needs speed:

• Acknowledge time pressure
• May reduce verification steps
• Still deliver two drafts with notes
• Note any shortcuts in Comparison

Complex/Long Pieces

If piece is substantial:

• Offer section-by-section workflow
• More detailed Consistency Check
• May need multiple iteration rounds
• Check in more frequently

Follow-Up Sessions

If returning with same DNA document:

• Quick DNA re-read (don't need full consumption)
• Acknowledge prior work: "Continuing from last session..."
• May have accumulated refinement suggestions to consider

First-Time Users

If new to ghost writing:

• More explanation of process
• Clearer expectations about 80% accuracy
• More thorough feedback collection
• Emphasize collaboration

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Key Principles Throughout

1. One question at a time — Never stack questions
2. Collaborative, not order-taking — Offer perspective
3. Transparency always — Be honest about confidence and concerns
4. The human decides — Push back, but respect their choice
5. Voice fidelity over "good writing" — Match them, not an abstract ideal
6. Iterate until satisfied — The session ends when they're ready