Story Ideator

Story Ideator Skill

Generate original storylines using an established universe bible. The goal is authentic stories that feel like they belong in the universe while being completely new.

Core Principle: Originality Over Imitation

NEVER:

• Reuse plot structures from analyzed source books
• Copy specific scenes, events, or mysteries
• Recreate villain archetypes with minor changes
• Mirror chapter-by-chapter progression patterns

ALWAYS:

• Use only ELEMENTS (characters, locations, tone) from bible
• Generate plots through COMBINATORIAL techniques
• Verify originality against known source plots
• Create NEW mysteries, conflicts, and resolutions

Input Requirements

Before ideation, verify these files exist:

• bible/style.md - Writing constraints
• bible/structure.md - Narrative arc patterns
• bible/characters/*.md - Character profiles
• bible/universe/*.md - Location files

If analysis/output/*/structure.md files exist, load them for anti-plagiarism checks.

Ideation Workflow

Phase 1: Load Universe Context

Read and extract from bible:

1. Characters: List all from bible/characters/, extract:

   • Name, core traits, usual role in stories
   • Relationships between characters
   • Capabilities and limitations

2. Locations: List all from bible/universe/, extract:

   • Name, atmosphere, typical story function
   • Connections between locations

3. Structure constraints: From bible/structure.md:

   • Expected chapter count/length
   • Arc patterns, pacing expectations
   • Genre-specific mechanics (mystery, adventure, etc.)

4. Style constraints: From bible/style.md:

   • Tone, vocabulary, forbidden elements
   • POV, tense, target audience

Output: Brief synthesis in .work/universe-context.md

Phase 2: Brainstorm via Collision Techniques

Generate 10-15 story seeds using these methods. Apply them to the SPECIFIC characters and locations found in Phase 1:

A. What-If Inversion Take a character's usual role and invert it:

• "What if [leader character] had to follow instead of lead?"
• "What if [protector character] needed protection?"
• "What if [cautious character] had to take the biggest risk?"

B. Location Collision Combine two locations in unexpected ways:

• "[Safe location] becomes dangerous"
• "[Adventure location] becomes refuge"
• "Mystery connects [location A] to [location B] unexpectedly"

C. External Pressure Introduce constraints the series hasn't explored:

• Time pressure (deadline creates urgency)
• Resource constraint (usual support unavailable)
• Information asymmetry (one character knows what others don't)

D. Relationship Stress Test Create conflict BETWEEN protagonists:

• Disagreement on moral choice
• Competing loyalties
• Temporary separation forcing independent action

E. Genre Blend Mix the series formula with adjacent elements:

• Add ecological/environmental stakes
• Add moral dilemma without clear villain
• Add rescue mission to mystery
• Add discovery that changes understanding of universe

Output: Numbered list of seeds in .work/story-seeds.md

Phase 3: Seed Selection & Development

Present seeds to user. For selected seed:

1. Expand to Logline (1-2 sentences)

   • WHO wants WHAT but OBSTACLE leads to STAKES

2. Define MICE Type (Orson Scott Card)

   • Milieu: Story about exploring a place (ends when they leave/return)
   • Idea: Story about answering a question (ends when answered)
   • Character: Story about transformation (ends when character changes)
   • Event: Story about restoring order (ends when resolved)

3. Map to Structure Template Use patterns from bible/structure.md:

   • Opening hook
   • Discovery/catalyst
   • Investigation/adventure
   • False victory/setback
   • Climax
   • Resolution

Output: Expanded seed in .work/selected-seed.md

Phase 4: Anti-Plagiarism Check

If analysis/output/*/structure.md files exist, compare generated plot:

Extract from each source structure.md:

• Mystery/conflict type
• Antagonist archetype
• Discovery method (how protagonists learn about problem)
• Resolution pattern (how it's solved)
• Key location usage

Compare to generated plot:

Scoring:

• 0-1 matches with any single source: ✅ Proceed
• 2-3 matches with any single source: ⚠️ Modify overlapping elements
• 4+ matches with any single source: ❌ Return to Phase 2, select different seed

Output: Comparison table in .work/plagiarism-check.md

Phase 5: Synopsis Generation

Write synopsis following structure:

# [Title]

## Logline
[1-2 sentences]

## Setup
[Initial situation, what triggers the adventure]

## Conflict
[Main obstacle, antagonist forces, stakes]

## Complications
[2-3 escalating problems]

## Climax
[Confrontation, how protagonists solve it]

## Resolution
[New equilibrium, character growth]

## Themes
[What the story explores beyond plot]

Output: story/synopsis.md

Phase 6: Chapter Plan

Create detailed chapter plan matching structure from bible/structure.md:

# Chapter Plan

## Chapter 1: [Title]
**Function**: [Setup/Catalyst/Development/Climax/Resolution]
**Location**: [From bible/universe/]
**POV focus**: [Which character(s)]
**Events**:
- [Beat 1]
- [Beat 2]
- [Beat 3]
**Ends with**: [Hook for next chapter]

[Repeat for all chapters per bible/structure.md chapter count]

Output: story/plan.md

Output Language

Match language of bible/style.md. Internal thinking/checks can be in English.

Interaction Style

• Present options, don't decide alone
• After each phase, ask for validation before proceeding
• If user has specific ideas, integrate them as constraints
• Explain reasoning for anti-plagiarism flags

Quick Commands

User can trigger abbreviated flow:

• Ideate: [constraint] → Skip to Phase 2 with constraint
• Develop seed N → Take seed N directly to Phase 3
• Check plot: [description] → Run only Phase 4 on description