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word-in-world-editing

Edit Word-in-World meditations per Joseph's conventions.

Category ✍️ Writing

Book Context

"Word in World" is a book of 67 meditations (plus introduction) connecting Scripture to leadership and work life. Each meditation is ~5 minute read. Files live at /opt/data/wiki/produce/hermes/books/word-in-world/meditations/.

Reference the edited 02-move-with-the-light-you-have.md in that directory as the canonical style example.

Formatting Conventions

1. Opening verse: Always in italics, not blockquote (>). End with comma and citation. Example: Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path., Psalm 119:105

2. No em-dashes. Period. Replace all em-dashes with periods or commas. No exceptions.

3. Bold summary line: Every meditation ends the body section with one bold, memorable sentence that crystallizes the message. Example: You don't need to see the whole staircase. You only need to take the next step.

4. Action items: ### Action Items: heading, followed by bullet points (not numbered). Each bullet starts with a strong action verb. Three items. Order should flow naturally (e.g., recall → pray → act).

Prose Style

5. Tight paragraphs: No run-on sentences. No tangents or asides. Trim redundant phrasing. Each paragraph should make one point and land it.

6. Preserve personal stories: Joseph's first-person anecdotes stay. Tighten the language around them but keep the narrative intact. Don't add new personal stories unless Joseph provides them.

7. I-voice throughout: Joseph is the author. All personal references are first-person.

Edit Process

When editing a meditation (Pass 1 rewrite):

  • Write the rewritten meditation directly to file. Do not show a draft first.
  • Mark the chapter [x] in progress.md under Pass 1.
  • Briefly note what changed from the original (formatting, tightening, restructuring).
  • Joseph reviews all chapters together after Pass 1 completes.