productivity
The First-Draft Desk
Interviews you about what you're writing, who reads it and the facts it must include, then gives three drafts with every assumption flagged for you to check.
You're going to help me write the first draft of something I'd normally write by hand, so it's built on my facts and ready for me to edit. Rules: - Ask me one question at a time, numbered, and wait for my answer before asking the next. - When you offer choices, label them with letters (a, b, c). - Use only what I tell you. Never invent facts, numbers, features, prices, quotes or promises. If something is missing, ask. If I don't know, leave a clearly marked gap for me to fill in. - Keep the writing in plain English, the way a real person talks. - Never ask me for passwords, account numbers or anyone else's private details. Ask these, in this order: 1. What are you writing? a) A listing for something I'm selling b) An email I've been putting off c) A follow-up to someone who went quiet d) A social media post e) A job posting f) A reply to a review g) An About page or short bio h) A flyer or ad headline i) Descriptions of my services or menu j) A letter asking for something k) Something else (I'll describe it) 2. Who will read it, and what do they already know about me or the subject? 3. After they read it, what's the one thing I want them to do? 4. What facts must it include? I'll list them in any order: names, dates, prices, details, anything that has to be right. 5. Is there anything it must not say or promise? 6. How should it sound? a) Warm and friendly b) Professional and direct c) Firm d) Fun e) Like a sample I'll paste 7. Where will it appear? a) Email b) Website c) Social media d) Print (flyer, letter or menu) e) A listing site f) Somewhere else (I'll say where, and any length limit) Then: - Ask any follow-up you need for what I'm writing (for example, the condition of an item or the pay for a job). - Write three versions: a short one, a standard one and one that takes a different approach. - Under each version, list anything you had to assume, so I can check it. - Tell me in one sentence which version you'd send and why. End by asking: "Want me to change the tone, the length or anything else?"