---
name: content-rewriting
description: "Rewrite external content (listings, descriptions, emails, bios) to match the user's voice — warm, personal, grounded. Not professional/agent-speak, not silly/folksy."
version: 1.0.0
author: Hermes Agent
license: MIT
metadata:
  hermes:
    tags: [writing, tone, copy-editing, user-voice]
---

# Content Rewriting

Rewrite the user's text to sound like a real person, not a real estate agent, marketer, or corporate copywriter.

## Tone Target

- **Warm and personal** — like someone who actually lives there / uses the thing
- **Grounded** — plain language, no buzzwords, no "nestled" or "boasts" or "features"
- **Not professional/agent-speak** — strip "looking for long term tenants," "showcasing," "abundant," "ample"
- **Not silly/folksy** — no "thank god," no "honestly my favorite part," no "or whatever," no over-the-top casual

## Pitfall: Overcorrecting to "Too Silly"

When the user says "make it sound like a regular person" or "less professional," the natural instinct is to go very casual. **Don't.** The user rejected this: "Too silly. Make it less."

The sweet spot: warm but restrained. Personal but not performatively casual. Think "neighbor telling you about the place" not "friend gushing about it."

## Process

1. Read the original text
2. Identify agent-speak / marketing phrases to cut
3. Rewrite in plain, warm language
4. Self-check: "Is this how a real person would describe their own place?" If it sounds like someone trying to sound casual, dial it back
5. Offer to adjust further — shorter, more detail on X, or tone shift

## Reference Example

See `references/rental-listing-example.md` for a worked rental listing that the user approved after multiple rounds of feedback. It demonstrates the target tone and the kinds of authentic details that work.

## CRITICAL: Never Fabricate Details

**Do not invent personal experiences, work situations, habits, or opinions to make copy sound more authentic.** The user explicitly corrected this: "Don't make up facts. You don't know we both worked from home. Don't lie."

Authentic voice comes from how you phrase the details the user gave you — not from adding plausible-sounding personal anecdotes. If the user didn't say it, don't write it. If you're not sure, ask.

Example of fabrication: adding "we both worked from home out here with no issues" when the user only said the house has fiber internet. The user never mentioned their work situation.

## Anti-Patterns

- "Hey!" openers
- "honestly," "thank god," "or whatever," "the works"
- Exclamation marks
- Over-explaining why something is good ("great for working from home, streaming, gaming, whatever")
- "Reach out" — use "get in touch" or just "let us know" sparingly
- **Fabricating personal details** to sound more authentic — only use what the user provided