story writer

Manage the full fiction writing process from initial concept through planning, drafting, reviewing, and exporting a formatted book.

A complete end-to-end story development and writing system with project management.

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Project Manager

The skill tracks your project through 6 stages:

Stage	Status	Description
0. Discovery	discovery.json	Questionnaire complete
1. Story Bible	story-bible.md	World-building documented
2. Book Bible	book-bible.md	Detailed chapter planning
3. Drafting	chapters/*.md	Writing in progress
4. Review	review-notes.md	Quality check complete
5. Export	export/*.html	Book formatted

Project Files

text

project-folder/
├── discovery.json           # Stage 0: All questionnaire answers
├── story-bible.md           # Stage 1: World, characters, rules
├── book-bible.md            # Stage 2: Detailed chapter outline
├── chapters/                 # Stage 3: Written chapters
│   ├── chapter-01.md
│   ├── chapter-02.md
│   └── ...
├── review-notes.md          # Stage 4: Review feedback
└── export/                   # Stage 5: Final formatted book
    └── book.html

---

Process 1: Discovery (Questionnaire)

Questions (10 suggestions each)

Q1: Chapters

1. 12 chapters (novella)
2. 18 chapters (short novel)
3. 24 chapters (standard)
4. 30 chapters (full novel)
5. 36 chapters (epic)
6. 40 chapters (long novel)
7. 50 chapters (saga)
8. 60 chapters (multi-part)
9. 80 chapters (epic series)
10. 100+ chapters (multi-volume)

Q2: Word Count

1. 5,000 words (short story)
2. 15,000 words (novelette)
3. 30,000 words (novella)
4. 50,000 words (short novel)
5. 80,000 words (standard)
6. 100,000 words (full-length)
7. 120,000 words (epic)
8. 150,000 words (fantasy/sci-fi)
9. 200,000 words (doorstopper)
10. 300,000+ words (epic saga)

Q3: Genre & Sub-genre See references/fiction-genres-encyclopedia.md for comprehensive list. Top 10 suggestions:

1. Literary Fiction - Contemporary (character-driven, introspective)
2. Fantasy - Epic/High (world-building, quest)
3. Fantasy - Urban (magic in modern world)
4. Science Fiction - Hard (technology-focused, realistic)
5. Science Fiction - Space Opera (adventure, galaxy-spanning)
6. Mystery - Cozy (amateur detective, gentle)
7. Mystery - Thriller (suspense, high stakes)
8. Romance - Contemporary (modern love story)
9. Horror - Supernatural/Psychological (fear-based)
10. Historical Fiction (period drama)

Reference: references/fiction-genres-encyclopedia.md contains 150+ genres and subgenres.

Q4: Time Period

1. Ancient/Pre-Medieval (BC to 500 AD)
2. Medieval (500-1500 AD)
3. Renaissance/Victorian (1500-1900)
4. 1920s-1940s (interwar, WWII)
5. 1950s-1970s (post-war)
6. 1980s-1990s (pre-internet)
7. Present Day (2020s)
8. Near Future (10-50 years)
9. Far Future (100+ years)
10. Timeless/Ambiguous

Q5: Locations

1. Small Town (close community)
2. Big City (urban, diverse)
3. Rural/Countryside (isolated)
4. Coastal/Island (ocean setting)
5. Mountain/Wilderness (survival)
6. Desert/Wasteland (extreme)
7. Fantasy Kingdom (magical realm)
8. Space Station/Spaceship (confined sci-fi)
9. Multiple Worlds (portal/travel)
10. Virtual/Digital (simulation)

Q6: Story Outline (Free-form or choose a template)

1. Hero's Journey (ordinary world → call → trials → transformation)
2. Rags to Riches (poor/weak → rich/powerful)
3. Tragedy (good → bad through flaw)
4. Quest (search for object/person/knowledge)
5. Voyage and Return (go to strange land → return changed)
6. Overcoming the Monster (threat → battle → victory)
7. Comedy (confusion → chaos → happy resolution)
8. Mystery (crime/disappearance → investigation → revelation)
9. Rebellion (oppression → resistance → freedom)
10. Coming of Age (youth → maturity through experience)

Q7: Plot Suggestions (Based on chosen outline - 10 variations within that structure)

The skill generates 10 specific plot variations based on your chosen outline, genre, and setting.

Q8: Atmosphere/Tone

1. Dark/Gritty (serious, heavy themes)
2. Hopeful/Uplifting (inspiring, positive)
3. Mysterious/Enigmatic (secrets, revelations)
4. Romantic/Sensual (love-focused, emotional)
5. Adventurous/Exciting (action, thrills)
6. Melancholic/Reflective (somber, thoughtful)
7. Satirical/Humorous (comedy, wit)
8. Epic/Intimate (grand scope, personal stakes)
9. Tense/Suspenseful (page-turner)
10. Whimsical/Magical (light, fantastical)

Q9: Story Outcome

1. Happy Ending (conflict resolved, joy)
2. Tragic Ending (loss, sadness)
3. Bittersweet (win with cost)
4. Ambiguous/Open (reader decides)
5. Triumphant (complete victory)
6. Devastating (complete loss)
7. Circular (ends where began)
8. Twist Ending (unexpected revelation)
9. Redemptive (transformation wins)
10. Cliffhanger (setup for sequel)

Q10: Target Audience

1. Middle Grade (ages 8-12)
2. Young Adult (ages 13-18)
3. New Adult (ages 18-25)
4. Adult Literary (sophisticated prose)
5. Adult Commercial (mainstream)
6. Women's Fiction (female-focused)
7. Thriller/Mystery Fans
8. Sci-Fi/Fantasy Fans
9. Romance Readers
10. Crossover (multiple audiences)

Output

• discovery.json - All answers saved
• Summary displayed for confirmation

---

Process 2: Story Bible Generation

Takes discovery.json and generates comprehensive world-building document.

Contents

1. Project Overview - All discovery answers summarized
2. Logline - One-sentence premise
3. Theme Statement - What the story is really about
4. Character Bible
   • Protagonist (want/need/wound/fear/lie/arc)
   • Antagonist (motivation/philosophy/connection)
   • Supporting cast (5-6 characters with roles)
5. World Building
   • Geography & setting details
   • Time period context
   • Social systems (politics/economics/class)
   • Culture & beliefs
   • Magic/Technology rules (if applicable)
   • Daily life
6. Theme Exploration
   • Core theme
   • Secondary themes
   • How theme manifests in story
7. Risk Factors - Common pitfalls for this genre/tone
8. Comp Titles - Suggested comparable books

Output

• story-bible.md - Comprehensive world reference

---

Process 3: Book Bible Generation

Takes story-bible.md and generates detailed chapter-by-chapter planning.

Contents

1. Structure Selection

   • Three-Act, Save the Cat, Hero's Journey, or Custom
   • Based on chosen story outline

2. Beat Breakdown

   • Major plot beats mapped to chapters
   • Word count targets per beat

3. Chapter Outline

   • For each chapter:
     • Chapter number & title
     • Word count target
     • One-paragraph summary
     • Key events (bullet points)
     • Character development
     • End hook (what keeps reader reading)

4. Scene Cards

   • Each chapter broken into 2-4 scenes
   • Scene purpose, conflict, outcome

5. Subplot Tracking

   • A-story (main plot)
   • B-story (relationship/secondary)
   • C-story (tertiary)
   • Where each appears in chapters

6. Pacing Guide

   • Tension graph across chapters
   • Breath/relax moments
   • Climax positioning

Output

• book-bible.md - Complete chapter-by-chapter plan

---

Process 4: Drafting (Chapter Writing)

Writes the actual story text, chapter by chapter.

Workflow

For each chapter:

1. Review chapter plan from book bible
2. Check previous chapter for continuity
3. Write chapter content following:
   • Opening hook
   • Scene progression
   • Character voice
   • Dialogue style
   • Sensory details
   • End hook
4. Track progress against word count target
5. Save chapter as chapters/chapter-XX.md

Writing Standards

• Show, don't tell - Action over exposition
• Active voice - Strong verbs, minimal adverbs
• Dialogue - Natural, character-specific
• Pacing - Vary sentence length
• Sensory - All five senses
• POV consistency - Stay in character's head
• End hooks - Every chapter ends with tension

Style Adherence

The skill maintains:

• Genre-appropriate language
• Atmosphere/tone consistency
• Audience-appropriate content
• POV/tense established in story bible

Output

• chapters/chapter-01.md through chapters/chapter-XX.md

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Process 5: Review (Quality Check)

Reviews all chapters using enhanced 5-category scoring system.

Enhanced Scoring Categories (0-10 each)

1. Plot (Structure & Pacing)

• Score Factors: 3-act structure, rising tension, climax positioning, pacing
• What to look for: Clear beginning-middle-end, appropriate chapter lengths, climax at ~85%
• Common issues: Sagging middle, rushed ending, unclear structure

2. Story Line (Emotional Coherence)

• Score Factors: Character arcs, atmosphere consistency, emotional journey
• What to look for: Characters develop believably, tone matches atmosphere, emotional payoff
• Common issues: Inconsistent character voices, tone shifts, unsatisfying arcs

3. Dramas (Conflict & Tension)

• Score Factors: External obstacles, internal conflict, stakes, tension
• What to look for: Medical crises, storms, threats, relationship conflicts
• Common issues: Low stakes, insufficient conflict, predictable obstacles

4. Love & Sensuality (Relationships)

• Score Factors: Relationship development, emotional intimacy, appropriate sensuality
• What to look for: Emotional connection prioritized, relationship evolves naturally
• Common issues: Insta-love, excessive physical focus, lack of emotional depth

5. Humanity (Theme & Meaning)

• Score Factors: Theme exploration, emotional impact, hope in bleakness
• What to look for: What makes us human, legacy beyond biology, meaning in survival
• Common issues: Superficial themes, hopeless bleakness, unclear message

Scoring Scale

• 10/10: Masterpiece level, publication ready
• 9/10: Excellent, minor polishing needed
• 8/10: Very good, some improvements possible
• 7/10: Good, needs revision in weaker areas
• 6/10: Adequate, significant work needed
• <6/10: Needs major revision

Review Outputs

• review-notes.md - Basic review with issues and suggestions
• review-notes-enhanced.md - Enhanced review with 5-category scoring (recommended)

Enhanced Review Features

1. Category scoring - 0-10 for each of 5 categories
2. Overall composite - Weighted average score
3. Visual score bars - Easy-to-read progress bars
4. Priority recommendations - Critical/High/Medium/Low
5. Publication readiness - Assessment based on score
6. Target markets - Suggested venues based on quality
7. Grammar analysis - Filter words, adverbs, passive voice
8. Chapter statistics - Word count distribution, pacing analysis

---

Process 6: Export (HTML Book Format)

Converts chapters into formatted HTML book.

HTML Structure

html

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="UTF-8">
  <title>[Book Title]</title>
  <style>
    /* Book styling */
    body { font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.6; }
    .chapter { page-break-before: always; }
    .title-page { text-align: center; padding-top: 40%; }
    /* ... more styles ... */
  </style>
</head>
<body>
  <div class="title-page">
    <h1>[Title]</h1>
    <h2>[Subtitle]</h2>
    <p>by [Author]</p>
  </div>
  
  <div class="toc">
    <h2>Table of Contents</h2>
    <!-- Auto-generated TOC -->
  </div>
  
  <div class="chapter" id="chapter-1">
    <h2>Chapter 1: [Title]</h2>
    <!-- Chapter content -->
  </div>
  
  <!-- More chapters -->
</body>
</html>

Export Options

• Single HTML file (all chapters)
• Separate HTML files per chapter
• Include title page
• Include table of contents
• Custom CSS styling
• Print-ready formatting

Output

• export/book.html - Complete formatted book
• export/style.css - Separate stylesheet (optional)

---

Scripts

scripts/discovery.py

Interactive questionnaire with 10 suggestions per question.

bash

python scripts/discovery.py
python scripts/discovery.py --output my-story.json

scripts/story-bible-generator.py

Generate story bible from discovery answers.

bash

python scripts/story-bible-generator.py --discovery discovery.json

scripts/book-bible-generator.py

Generate detailed chapter outline from story bible.

bash

python scripts/book-bible-generator.py --story-bible story-bible.md

scripts/draft-chapter.py

Write a chapter based on book bible.

bash

python scripts/draft-chapter.py --chapter 1 --book-bible book-bible.md
python scripts/draft-chapter.py --all  # Write all chapters

scripts/review-book.py

Basic review of all chapters for quality.

bash

python scripts/review-book.py --chapters chapters/
python scripts/review-book.py --fix   # Auto-fix minor issues

scripts/review-book-enhanced.py

Enhanced review with 5-category scoring system.

bash

python scripts/review-book-enhanced.py --chapters chapters/ --book-bible book-bible.md --discovery discovery.json

Output: review-notes-enhanced.md with:

• 5 category scores (0-10 each)
• Overall composite score
• Priority recommendations
• Publication readiness assessment
• Grammar analysis
• Chapter statistics
• Target market suggestions

scripts/export-html.py

Export to HTML book format.

bash

python scripts/export-html.py --chapters chapters/ --output export/book.html

scripts/chapter-tracker.py

Track writing progress.

bash

python scripts/chapter-tracker.py --chapters 24 --target 80000 --completed 6 --written 18000

scripts/beat-sheet.py

Generate Save the Cat beat sheet.

bash

python scripts/beat-sheet.py --target 80000

---

References

references/fiction-genres-encyclopedia.md

Comprehensive list of 150+ fiction genres and subgenres across all major categories: Literary Fiction, Action/Adventure, Speculative Fiction (Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Horror), Crime/Mystery, Romance, and experimental hybrids.

references/structure-frameworks.md

Five story structures with word count breakdowns.

references/revision-checklist.md

Four-pass revision system.

references/world-building-prompts.md

Deep-dive questions for world development.

references/query-submission.md

Traditional publishing guide.

references/style-guide.md

Writing standards and common issues.

---

Workflow Example

text

1. Discovery      → Answer 10 questions → discovery.json
2. Story Bible    → Generate world/characters → story-bible.md
3. Book Bible     → Plan every chapter → book-bible.md
4. Drafting       → Write chapter by chapter → chapters/*.md
5. Review         → Quality check → review-notes.md
6. Export         → Format as book → export/book.html

---

Project Status Command

Check current project status:

bash

python scripts/project-status.py

Output:

text

Project: My Novel
Status: Stage 3 - Drafting
Progress: 12/24 chapters (50%)
Words: 36,000/80,000 (45%)
Next: Continue drafting chapter 13

---

Notes

• Sequential: Processes run in order; each builds on the previous
• Iterative: Can regenerate any stage if story evolves
• Flexible: Skip stages if you have existing material
• Persistent: All work saved to project folder
• Exportable: Final HTML can be converted to EPUB/PDF