blog-draft

User Input

$ARGUMENTS

You MUST consider the user input before proceeding. User should provide:

• Idea/Topic: The main concept or theme for the blog post
• Resources: URLs, files, or references to research (optional but recommended)
• Target audience: Who the blog post is for (optional)
• Tone/Style: Formal, casual, technical, etc. (optional)

IMPORTANT: If the user is requesting updates to an existing blog post, skip steps 0-8 and start directly at Step 9. Read the existing draft file(s) first, then proceed with the iteration process.

Execution Flow

Follow these steps sequentially. Do not skip steps or proceed without user approval where indicated.

Step 0: Create Project Folder

1. Generate a folder name using format: YYYY-MM-DD-short-topic-name

   • Use today's date
   • Create a short, URL-friendly slug from the topic (lowercase, hyphens, max 5 words)

2. Create the folder structure:

   blog-posts/
   └── YYYY-MM-DD-short-topic-name/
       └── resources/
   

3. Confirm folder creation with user before proceeding.

Step 1: Research & Resource Collection

1. Create resources/ subfolder in the blog post directory

2. For each provided resource:

   • URLs: Fetch and save key information to resources/ as markdown files
   • Files: Read and summarize in resources/
   • Topics: Use web search to gather up-to-date information

3. For each resource, create a summary file in resources/:

   • resources/source-1-[short-name].md
   • resources/source-2-[short-name].md
   • etc.

4. Each summary should include:

   # Source: [Title/URL]
   
   ## Key Points
   - Point 1
   - Point 2
   
   ## Relevant Quotes/Data
   - Quote or statistic 1
   - Quote or statistic 2
   
   ## How This Relates to Topic
   Brief explanation of relevance
   

5. Present research summary to user.

Step 2: Brainstorm & Clarify

1. Based on the idea and researched resources, present:

   • Main themes identified from research
   • Potential angles for the blog post
   • Key points that should be covered
   • Gaps in information that need clarification

2. Ask clarifying questions:

   • What is the main takeaway you want readers to have?
   • Are there specific points from the research you want to emphasize?
   • What's the target length? (short: 500-800 words, medium: 1000-1500, long: 2000+)
   • Any points you want to exclude?

3. Wait for user responses before proceeding.

Step 3: Propose Outline

1. Create a structured outline including:

   # Blog Post Outline: [Title]
   
   ## Meta Information
   - **Target Audience**: [who]
   - **Tone**: [style]
   - **Target Length**: [word count]
   - **Main Takeaway**: [key message]
   
   ## Proposed Structure
   
   ### Hook/Introduction
   - Opening hook idea
   - Context setting
   - Thesis statement
   
   ### Section 1: [Title]
   - Key point A
   - Key point B
   - Supporting evidence from [source]
   
   ### Section 2: [Title]
   - Key point A
   - Key point B
   
   [Continue for all sections...]
   
   ### Conclusion
   - Summary of key points
   - Call to action or final thought
   
   ## Sources to Cite
   - Source 1
   - Source 2
   

2. Present outline to user and ask for approval or modifications.

Step 4: Save Approved Outline

1. Once user approves the outline, save it to OUTLINE.md in the blog post folder.

2. Confirm the outline has been saved.

Step 5: Commit Outline (if in git repo)

1. Check if current directory is a git repository.

2. If yes:

   • Stage the new files: blog post folder, resources, and OUTLINE.md
   • Create commit with message: docs: Add outline for blog post - [topic-name]
   • Push to remote

3. If not a git repo, skip this step and inform user.

Step 6: Write Draft

1. Based on the approved outline, write the full blog post draft.

2. Follow the structure from OUTLINE.md exactly.

3. Include:

   • Engaging introduction with hook
   • Clear section headers
   • Supporting evidence and examples from research
   • Smooth transitions between sections
   • Strong conclusion with takeaway
   • Citations: All comparisons, statistics, data points, and factual claims MUST cite the original source

4. Save the draft as draft-v0.1.md in the blog post folder.

5. Format:

   # [Blog Post Title]
   
   *[Optional: subtitle or tagline]*
   
   [Full content with inline citations...]
   
   ---
   
   ## References
   - [1] Source 1 Title - URL or Citation
   - [2] Source 2 Title - URL or Citation
   - [3] Source 3 Title - URL or Citation
   

6. Citation Requirements:

   • Every data point, statistic, or comparison MUST have an inline citation
   • Use numbered references [1], [2], etc., or named citations [Source Name]
   • Link citations to the References section at the end
   • Example: "Studies show that 65% of developers prefer TypeScript [1]"
   • Example: "React outperforms Vue in rendering speed by 20% [React Benchmarks 2024]"

Step 7: Commit Draft (if in git repo)

1. Check if in git repository.

2. If yes:

   • Stage the draft file
   • Create commit with message: docs: Add draft v0.1 for blog post - [topic-name]
   • Push to remote

3. If not a git repo, skip and inform user.

Step 8: Present Draft for Review

1. Present the draft content to user.

2. Ask for feedback:

   • Overall impression?
   • Sections that need expansion or reduction?
   • Tone adjustments needed?
   • Missing information?
   • Specific edits or rewrites?

3. Wait for user response.

Step 9: Iterate or Finalize

If user requests changes:

1. Note all requested modifications
2. Return to Step 6 with the following adjustments:
   • Increment version number (v0.2, v0.3, etc.)
   • Incorporate all feedback
   • Save as draft-v[X.Y].md
   • Repeat Steps 7-8

If user approves:

1. Confirm the final draft version
2. Optionally rename to final.md if user requests
3. Summarize the blog post creation process:
   • Total versions created
   • Key changes between versions
   • Final word count
   • Files created

Version Tracking

All drafts are preserved with incremental versioning:

• draft-v0.1.md - Initial draft
• draft-v0.2.md - After first round of feedback
• draft-v0.3.md - After second round of feedback
• etc.

This allows tracking the evolution of the blog post and reverting if needed.

Output Files Structure

blog-posts/
└── YYYY-MM-DD-topic-name/
    ├── resources/
    │   ├── source-1-name.md
    │   ├── source-2-name.md
    │   └── ...
    ├── OUTLINE.md
    ├── draft-v0.1.md
    ├── draft-v0.2.md (if iterations)
    └── draft-v0.3.md (if more iterations)

Tips for Quality

• Hook: Start with a question, surprising fact, or relatable scenario
• Flow: Each paragraph should connect to the next
• Evidence: Support claims with data from research
• Citations: ALWAYS cite sources for:
  • All statistics and data points (e.g., "According to [Source], 75% of...")
  • Comparisons between products, services, or approaches (e.g., "X performs 2x faster than Y [Source]")
  • Factual claims about market trends, research findings, or benchmarks
  • Use inline citations with format: [Source Name] or [Author, Year]
• Voice: Maintain consistent tone throughout
• Length: Respect the target word count
• Readability: Use short paragraphs, bullet points where appropriate
• CTA: End with a clear call-to-action or thought-provoking question

Notes

• Always wait for user approval at outlined checkpoints
• Preserve all draft versions for history
• Use web search for up-to-date information when URLs are provided
• If resources are insufficient, ask user for more or suggest additional research
• Adapt tone based on target audience (technical, general, business, etc.)