WriteStory
Layered fiction writing system that constructs stories across seven simultaneous narrative dimensions, powered by Will Storr's The Science of Storytelling and Mark Forsyth's The Elements of Eloquence.
Customization
Before executing, check for optional user customizations in a sibling USER/ override directory if your environment defines one. If present, load and apply a PREFERENCES.md (default genre, aesthetic, voice) plus any additional skill-specific files. Otherwise proceed with skill defaults.
Workflow Routing
Route to the appropriate workflow based on the request.
When executing a workflow, announce which one you're running:
Running the **WorkflowName** workflow in the **WriteStory** skill to ACTION...
| Workflow |
Trigger |
File |
| Interview |
"interview me", "extract my story ideas", "help me plan a story" |
Workflows/Interview.md |
| BuildBible |
"build story bible", "create story plan", "map the story" |
Workflows/BuildBible.md |
| Explore |
"explore ideas", "brainstorm", "creative exploration", "what if" |
Workflows/Explore.md |
| WriteChapter |
"write chapter", "write scene", "write prose", "draft" |
Workflows/WriteChapter.md |
| Revise |
"revise", "edit", "improve", "polish", "rewrite" |
Workflows/Revise.md |
The Seven Story Layers
Every story in this system is constructed across seven simultaneous layers:
- Meaning — Theme, philosophical argument, lesson
- Character Change — Sacred flaw -> transformation arc (Storr)
- Plot — Cause-and-effect chain of events
- Mystery — Information management (reader knows vs. doesn't)
- World — Setting, politics, physical environment, rules
- Relationships — How key bonds evolve and pressure characters
- Prose — Rhetorical figures, voice, aesthetic, style
Core References
| Reference |
File |
Purpose |
| Layer Architecture |
StoryLayers.md |
Seven-layer system definition |
| Storr Framework |
StorrFramework.md |
Character change, sacred flaw, mystery |
| Rhetorical Figures |
RhetoricalFigures.md |
Comprehensive rhetorical figures catalogue |
| Anti-Cliche System |
AntiCliche.md |
Freshness enforcement, banned patterns |
| Story Structures |
StoryStructures.md |
Save the Cat, Dramatica, Story Grid |
| Aesthetic Profiles |
AestheticProfiles.md |
Genre and style configuration |
| Critic Profiles |
Critics.md |
Multi-pass review system for prose refinement |
Quick Reference
- Theoretical Foundation: Storr (character science) + Forsyth (rhetoric) + classical rhetoric
- Story Bible: PRD-based plan mapping all 7 layers start-to-finish
- Scale: Short story (100s of ISC) to multi-book series (10,000s of ISC)
- Anti-Cliche: Built-in freshness system bans generic AI patterns
- Aesthetic: Configurable per project (Adams, Tolkien, sparse sci-fi, etc.)
Examples
Example 1: Starting from scratch
User: "I have an idea for a fantasy novel about an elven princess raised by orcs"
→ Invokes Interview workflow
→ Extracts character concepts, world details, themes
→ Maps ideas across seven story layers
→ Produces structured input for BuildBible
Example 2: Building the full story plan
User: "Build the story bible for my novel"
→ Invokes BuildBible workflow
→ Creates Story Bible PRD with all layers mapped start-to-finish
→ Identifies milestones, character transformations, mystery reveals
→ Outputs comprehensive layered narrative plan
Example 3: Writing actual prose
User: "Write chapter 3 based on the story bible"
→ Invokes WriteChapter workflow
→ Reads Story Bible PRD for chapter milestones across all layers
→ Deploys rhetorical figures for memorable dialogue
→ Produces fresh, anti-cliche prose in configured aesthetic
1---2name: writestory3description: Layered fiction writing system using Will Storr's storytelling science and rhetorical figures. USE WHEN write story, fiction, novel, short story, book, chapter, story bible, character arc, plot outline, creative writing, worldbuilding, narrative, mystery writing, dialogue, prose, series planning.4---56# WriteStory78Layered fiction writing system that constructs stories across seven simultaneous narrative dimensions, powered by Will Storr's *The Science of Storytelling* and Mark Forsyth's *The Elements of Eloquence*.910## Customization1112**Before executing, check for optional user customizations** in a sibling `USER/` override directory if your environment defines one. If present, load and apply a `PREFERENCES.md` (default genre, aesthetic, voice) plus any additional skill-specific files. Otherwise proceed with skill defaults.1314## Workflow Routing1516Route to the appropriate workflow based on the request.1718**When executing a workflow, announce which one you're running:**1920```21Running the **WorkflowName** workflow in the **WriteStory** skill to ACTION...22```2324| Workflow | Trigger | File |25|----------|---------|------|26| **Interview** | "interview me", "extract my story ideas", "help me plan a story" | `Workflows/Interview.md` |27| **BuildBible** | "build story bible", "create story plan", "map the story" | `Workflows/BuildBible.md` |28| **Explore** | "explore ideas", "brainstorm", "creative exploration", "what if" | `Workflows/Explore.md` |29| **WriteChapter** | "write chapter", "write scene", "write prose", "draft" | `Workflows/WriteChapter.md` |30| **Revise** | "revise", "edit", "improve", "polish", "rewrite" | `Workflows/Revise.md` |3132## The Seven Story Layers3334Every story in this system is constructed across seven simultaneous layers:35361. **Meaning** — Theme, philosophical argument, lesson372. **Character Change** — Sacred flaw -> transformation arc (Storr)383. **Plot** — Cause-and-effect chain of events394. **Mystery** — Information management (reader knows vs. doesn't)405. **World** — Setting, politics, physical environment, rules416. **Relationships** — How key bonds evolve and pressure characters427. **Prose** — Rhetorical figures, voice, aesthetic, style4344## Core References4546| Reference | File | Purpose |47|-----------|------|---------|48| Layer Architecture | `StoryLayers.md` | Seven-layer system definition |49| Storr Framework | `StorrFramework.md` | Character change, sacred flaw, mystery |50| Rhetorical Figures | `RhetoricalFigures.md` | Comprehensive rhetorical figures catalogue |51| Anti-Cliche System | `AntiCliche.md` | Freshness enforcement, banned patterns |52| Story Structures | `StoryStructures.md` | Save the Cat, Dramatica, Story Grid |53| Aesthetic Profiles | `AestheticProfiles.md` | Genre and style configuration |54| Critic Profiles | `Critics.md` | Multi-pass review system for prose refinement |5556## Quick Reference5758- **Theoretical Foundation:** Storr (character science) + Forsyth (rhetoric) + classical rhetoric59- **Story Bible:** PRD-based plan mapping all 7 layers start-to-finish60- **Scale:** Short story (100s of ISC) to multi-book series (10,000s of ISC)61- **Anti-Cliche:** Built-in freshness system bans generic AI patterns62- **Aesthetic:** Configurable per project (Adams, Tolkien, sparse sci-fi, etc.)6364## Examples6566**Example 1: Starting from scratch**67```68User: "I have an idea for a fantasy novel about an elven princess raised by orcs"69→ Invokes Interview workflow70→ Extracts character concepts, world details, themes71→ Maps ideas across seven story layers72→ Produces structured input for BuildBible73```7475**Example 2: Building the full story plan**76```77User: "Build the story bible for my novel"78→ Invokes BuildBible workflow79→ Creates Story Bible PRD with all layers mapped start-to-finish80→ Identifies milestones, character transformations, mystery reveals81→ Outputs comprehensive layered narrative plan82```8384**Example 3: Writing actual prose**85```86User: "Write chapter 3 based on the story bible"87→ Invokes WriteChapter workflow88→ Reads Story Bible PRD for chapter milestones across all layers89→ Deploys rhetorical figures for memorable dialogue90→ Produces fresh, anti-cliche prose in configured aesthetic91```
Sheshiyer