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Part 2 — Outline & Chunked Writing (Finish an Ebook Fast)

  • kitkat53
  • Jan 7
  • 6 min read

Meta: Pick a structure that actually gets written, drop in a fill-in outline, and follow a chunked 30-day plan — or sprint a mini-ebook in a few hours using ChatGPT and ruthless scope control. Includes three fill-in templates (How-To / Workbook / Checklist), a day-by-day 30-day calendar, copy/paste ChatGPT prompts, formatting tips, and a fast-sprint alternative you can use when speed matters.

TL;DR: Structure beats willpower. Pick one simple format, break it into small daily tasks, and use ChatGPT to generate outlines and chapter drafts. If you want to move super fast, use the Rapid Sprint option (90–240 minutes) at the end of this post.

Why structure beats willpower

Willpower is charming but fleeting. Structure is boring and reliable. Every book that ships has two things in common: a repeatable outline and a daily habit. Give yourself a blueprint and 30 tiny tasks and you’ll finish. Promise.

Pick one format (don’t overstuff)

Here are three fast, sellable templates. Pick one and stick to it.

A — How-To Guide (process-focused)

  • 8–10 chapters • 800–1,200 words each

  • Deliverable per chapter: short worksheet or checklist

B — Workbook (interactive, higher perceived value)

  • 6–8 modules • 500–800 words + exercises

  • Deliverable: printable workbook pages + examples

C — Checklist / 30-Day Plan (fast to create)

  • 30 micro-lessons or 10 themed lists • 250–500 words each

  • Deliverable: printable checklist pages and swipe files

Three copyable outlines (pick one and paste into Google Docs)

How-To Outline (8 short chapters)

  1. Title + One-line promise

  2. Intro: Why this matters (PERSONAL_A)

  3. Chapter 1: Start Here — the simple first step (800 w.) — worksheet

  4. Chapter 2: Core skill (800 w.) — practice drill

  5. Chapter 3: Roadblocks & fixes (800 w.) — troubleshooting worksheet

  6. Chapter 4: Tools & templates (800 w.) — template pack

  7. Chapter 5: Case studies (800 w.) — before/after guide

  8. Chapter 6: Weekly plan & next steps (800 w.) — 4-week starter plan

  9. Conclusion + upsell hint

  10. Appendix: Resources

Workbook Outline (6 modules)

  1. Title + How to use this workbook

  2. Module 1: Clarity & goals — exercises

  3. Module 2: Systems & tiny habits — exercises

  4. Module 3: Tools & templates — downloads

  5. Module 4: Mini-project — step-by-step

  6. Module 5: Reflection & next steps — templates

  7. Bonus: Quick wins checklist

Checklist / 30-Day Plan

  • Title: Promise (X in 30 Days)

  • Days 1–30: micro-task + 1-line checklist each (150–350 w.)

  • Closing: Keep momentum + upgrade path

A single chapter skeleton (use this every time)

  1. Hook (1–2 paras)

  2. Promise (1 sentence)

  3. Step 1 — explain + example

  4. Step 2 — action + micro exercise (bullets)

  5. Step 3 — troubleshooting & quick tips

  6. Wrap + micro-exercise (2–3 sentences)

  7. PERSONAL_A — placeholder for a short anecdote

The 30-day chunked writing calendar (doable, not punishing)

Goal example: 8 chapters × ~1,000 words ≈ 8,000 words.

Week 1 — FoundationDay 1: Finalize title & one-sentence promise; run Topic Validator.Day 2: Pick structure; paste chosen outline into Google Doc.Day 3: Draft Chapter 1 brief; generate Chapter 1 with ChatGPT.Day 4: Edit Chapter 1; add PERSONAL_A anecdotes; insert worksheet.Day 5: Draft Chapter 2 brief; generate Chapter 2.Day 6: Edit Chapter 2; create worksheet.Day 7: Rest / organize files.

Week 2 — MomentumDays 8–14: Repeat: draft, generate, edit Chapters 3–5; gather visuals.

Week 3 — Finish first draftDays 15–21: Draft & edit Chapters 6–8; write intro & conclusion; full read-through.

Week 4 — Polish & publishDays 22–30: Canva cover, interior formatting, export PDF/ePub, StanCart setup, test $1 purchase, schedule launch emails and pins, final checks, launch.

ChatGPT prompt pack — copy/paste-ready

Pin this SYSTEM prompt once per ChatGPT session so voice stays consistent.

SYSTEM (pin once):

You are my ebook co-writer and product strategist. Tone: warm, slightly witty, practical (this is Kit). Return clear, actionable outputs with headings and bullet lists. Mark personal anecdote spots with **PERSONAL_A**.

Outline prompt

Title: "[PASTE TITLE]"  
Format: [How-To / Workbook / Checklist]  
Task: Produce a fill-in-the-blank outline with chapter titles, 3 bullets per chapter describing content, suggested word counts, and one deliverable per chapter.

Chapter draft prompt (chunked)

Chapter brief: [PASTE 4–8 bullets]  
Write ~800 words with: opening hook, promise, 3 actionable steps (with sub-steps), troubleshooting, and a 2-sentence micro-exercise. Mark personal anecdote spots **PERSONAL_A**.

Edit / shorten prompt

Text: [PASTE CHAPTER]  
Task: Tighten to [TARGET WORDS], keep voice, convert passive to active, add 2 transitions, and suggest 3 spots for images/worksheets.

Launch assets prompt

Ebook: [TITLE], Price: [$], Hook: [ONE-LINE]  
Task: Write 1-sentence positioning, 3 hero benefit bullets, a short StanCart product blurb, checkout microcopy (order bump label) and one post-purchase upsell paragraph.

Formatting & quick export tips

  • Use consistent H1/H2/H3 styles.

  • For screen PDFs use 14–16pt; for printable 11–12pt.

  • Images: 2,000px on the long side for retina.

  • Create a linked TOC for PDF/ePub.

  • Test on phone/tablet before publishing.

Packaging & pricing notes

  • Workbook format → Core ebook $17, bundle $47.

  • Checklist → low price ($7–$12) to drive volume + upsells.

  • Always include a small freebie opt-in (one checklist page) to build your list.

Quick pre-export checklist

  •  Chapters completed & edited

  •  Worksheets/templates attached

  •  Cover created (3 variations)

  •  PDF exported & proofed on phone

  •  StanCart product created & test purchase completed

  •  Launch emails scheduled + 3 pins created

OPTIONAL: Rapid Sprint — finish a mini-ebook in 90–240 minutes

(Use this when you want a minimum-viable product fast. Scope small, ship fast.)

Who this is for: creators who want to test a topic, bootstrap a digital product quickly, or launch a checklist/30-day micro-ebook. Not for 60k deep dives — but perfect for a useful, sellable product.

Two sprint options

90-minute Mini-Ebook — 1,500–3,000 words, 6–8 micro-sections, a printable checklist, single-page cover.3–4 hour Short Ebook — 5,000–8,000 words, 6–8 solid chapters, worksheets, cover, short sales blurb.

Rapid sprint step-by-step (90 minutes)

0–10 min — Pin SYSTEM prompt + write 1-sentence positioning.10–25 min — Micro market scan (Google/Amazon/Pinterest quick checks).25–35 min — Ask ChatGPT for 3 outline options; pick one.35–80 min — Generate full draft chapter-by-chapter (ask for all chapters in one prompt or sequentially).80–90 min — Quick edit pass: tighten chapters, replace PERSONAL_A with 1–2 short anecdotes, create cover prompt.

3–4 hour version: follow above but spend more time editing, create worksheets, format PDF, and build StanCart product + run a $5 ad test.

Rapid sprint copy/paste prompt pack (use in order)

SYSTEM (pin once):

You are my ebook co-writer and product strategist. Tone: warm, slightly witty, practical (Kit). Return clear, actionable outputs with headings and bullet lists. Mark personal anecdote spots with **PERSONAL_A**.

  1. Quick validation

Idea: "[TITLE]"  
Task: Return (A) one-sentence positioning (who + result), (B) 3 target personas, (C) 3 micro-tests (headline + channel).

  1. Three fast outlines

Title: "[TITLE]"  
Task: Produce 3 outline options (How-To / 30-Day / Workbook) with chapter/module titles and 2–3 bullets each plus one deliverable per chapter.

  1. One-shot draft (fast)

Using the chosen outline below, write the complete short ebook. Include chapter headings, ~800 words per chapter (adjust as needed), an intro, a conclusion, and a printable checklist. Keep the voice warm, slightly witty, practical. Mark personal anecdotes **PERSONAL_A**.
[PASTE OUTLINE]

  1. Tighten

Text: [PASTE CHAPTER OR FULL DRAFT]  
Task: Tighten to [TARGET WORDS], keep voice, convert passive to active, add 2 transitions, and list 2 spots for images/worksheets.

  1. Cover + images

Task: Create 3 Canva cover layout options (headline/subhead, layout, suggested fonts, and where to place brand accent). Then give 3 Midjourney-style image prompts for hero and 2 Pinterest sizes.

  1. Sales + checkout

Title: [TITLE], Price: [$], Hook: [ONE LINE]  
Task: Produce 1-sentence positioning, 3 hero bullets, StanCart short product blurb, order bump label, and post-purchase upsell paragraph.

Rapid sprint quality checklist (last 10–30 minutes)

  • Replace PERSONAL_A with a 1-paragraph anecdote.

  • Run the tighten prompt on each chapter.

  • Create a linked TOC and export a test PDF; open on phone.

  • Prepare one-page sales blurb and set up StanCart product.

  • Make 3 Canva pins and run a $5 promoted pin to your mock landing page.

Tiny worked example (Cozy Lighting — Sprint sample)

One-sentence positioning:  “A 30-Day Cozy Lighting Guide for people in small homes who want warm, romantic evenings using simple lamps and layering tricks.” Chosen rapid outline (6 short chapters):  Intro • Layering basics • Lamps & placement • Low-cost upgrades • 30-day plan (core) • Routines + checklist.

Tiny sample intro (paste-ready):

I used to think “cozy” was a furniture problem. Then I moved into a tiny place and learned the truth: atmosphere is mostly light. A warm lamp on a thrifted table can make any corner feel intentional. This short guide is for renters and busy people who want evenings that feel softer. Over 30 small changes — one micro-task a day — you’ll build a steady habit and a room that welcomes you home. PERSONAL_A


When to choose which approach

  • Use the 30-day chunked plan when you want a richer product (worksheets, examples) and a calmer process.

  • Use the Rapid Sprint when you want to test a topic fast, create a lead magnet, or get a low-priced product live immediately. Both are valid; both work. Cheers!

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