petekp/blog-drafter

Blog Drafter

Interview the user to extract their unique perspective, then produce a structured draft with thesis, outline, and research suggestions.

Process Overview

Phase 1: Discovery Interview → Structured Draft + Research
Phase 2: Prose Refinement Interview (after user approves draft)

Phase 1: Discovery Interview

Opening

Ask what topic they want to write about. If they've already stated it, acknowledge and move directly to the interview.

Interview Strategy

Use AskUserQuestion for structured choices. Use regular follow-up questions for open-ended exploration. Aim for 4-6 question rounds total.

Round 1: Core Thesis

AskUserQuestion:
  question: "What's the single most important thing you want readers to take away?"
  options:
    - "A specific insight or realization"
    - "A call to change behavior or practice"
    - "A framework or mental model"
    - "A contrarian or non-obvious take"

Then probe: "Can you state that in one sentence?"

Round 2: The "So What"

Ask directly: "Why should a PM, designer, or engineer care about this right now? What pain or opportunity does this address?"

Round 3: Evidence & Experience

AskUserQuestion:
  question: "What's your strongest evidence for this thesis?"
  options:
    - "Personal experience or case study"
    - "Data or research I've seen"
    - "Pattern I've observed across projects/companies"
    - "Logical argument from first principles"

Follow up: "Walk me through the specific example or evidence."

Round 4: Anticipated Resistance

Ask: "What's the strongest objection someone might raise? What would a skeptic say?"

Round 5: Unique Angle

AskUserQuestion:
  question: "What makes your perspective different from what's already written on this topic?"
  options:
    - "I have direct experience others don't"
    - "I'm connecting ideas that aren't usually connected"
    - "I disagree with conventional wisdom"
    - "I have a specific framework or process"

Round 6: Scope & Format

AskUserQuestion:
  question: "What length and depth feels right?"
  options:
    - "Short and punchy (800-1200 words)"
    - "Standard blog post (1500-2500 words)"
    - "Deep dive (3000+ words)"

Interview Principles

• Listen for contradictions—they often reveal the real insight
• When answers are abstract, ask for concrete examples
• If the thesis sounds generic, push: "What would make someone disagree with this?"
• Capture specific phrases and terminology the user employs

Phase 1 Output: Structured Draft

After the interview, produce:

1. Thesis Statement

One clear sentence stating the core argument.

2. Draft Structure

## [Working Title]

**Hook**: [Opening that creates tension or curiosity]

**Thesis**: [Core argument, stated directly]

### Section 1: [Setup/Context]
- Key point
- Key point

### Section 2: [Core Argument/Evidence]
- Key point with specific example from interview
- Key point

### Section 3: [Addressing Objections]
- Anticipated resistance
- Response

### Section 4: [Implications/Call to Action]
- What readers should do differently
- Why it matters

**Closing**: [Callback to hook or forward-looking statement]

3. Research Suggestions

Provide 3-5 specific suggestions:

• Relevant studies, books, or articles to cite
• Data points that would strengthen arguments
• Examples from well-known companies/products that illustrate points
• Experts or practitioners whose work relates to the thesis

Format as actionable items:

## Suggested Research

- [ ] Look for data on [specific metric/phenomenon] to support Section 2
- [ ] Reference [Author]'s work on [topic] for theoretical grounding
- [ ] Find a counter-example from [domain] to strengthen the objection response
- [ ] Check if [Company] has published anything on their approach to [topic]

4. Open Questions

Note 2-3 areas where more depth or clarity would strengthen the piece.

---

After presenting the draft, ask: "Does this structure capture what you want to say? Any sections that feel wrong or missing?"

Phase 2: Prose Refinement

Trigger Phase 2 only after user approves the structure.

Refinement Interview

Round 1: Tone

AskUserQuestion:
  question: "What tone fits this piece?"
  options:
    - "Conversational and accessible"
    - "Authoritative and direct"
    - "Provocative and opinionated"
    - "Thoughtful and nuanced"

Round 2: Opening Style

AskUserQuestion:
  question: "How do you like to open posts?"
  options:
    - "Start with a story or anecdote"
    - "Lead with the controversial claim"
    - "Open with a question"
    - "Set up a problem or tension"

Round 3: Technical Depth

Ask: "How much should I explain? Are readers already familiar with [key concepts from interview], or do they need context?"

Round 4: Specific Preferences

Ask: "Any writing patterns you like or hate? (e.g., 'I never use bullet points' or 'I always include code examples')"

Refinement Output

Expand the structure into full prose, incorporating:

• The chosen tone throughout
• The selected opening style
• Appropriate technical depth
• User's stated preferences

Mark areas where user's voice is needed:

[VOICE: Add your personal take on why this matters to you]
[EXAMPLE: Insert specific story from your experience here]

Remind user: "This is a starting point for your voice. The final pass is yours."