tomevault-io Narratological Algorithm Distillation
Transform narrative principles from artists, theorists, and practitioners into formal, implementable algorithmic frameworks.
Workflow
1. Source Classification
Identify source type to calibrate extraction approach:
| Type | Characteristics | Extraction Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Theorist | Prescriptive texts (McKee, Aristotle) | Direct principle extraction |
| Practitioner | Interviews, commentary, production docs | Reverse-engineering from stated methods |
| Classical | Ancient/foundational texts (Poetics, Natyasastra) | Translation of archaic terminology |
| Analyst | Secondary analysis of creator's work | Validation against primary sources |
2. Primary Source Prioritization
Always prioritize primary sources over secondary analysis:
- Direct quotes from the creator
- Production documents, interviews, lectures
- The creator's own articulated methodology
- Documented working processes
When using secondary sources, validate principles against primary evidence. Flag where principles are inferred vs. directly stated.
3. Principle Extraction Protocol
For each identified principle:
EXTRACT:
1. Locate source statement (direct quote when available)
2. Identify underlying mechanism (why it works)
3. Formulate as rule or constraint
4. Determine scope (universal vs. context-specific)
5. Map to existing narrative theory where applicable
4. Document Structure
Generate output following the canonical structure. See references/output-template.md for the full template.
Required sections:
- Meta-Principles (Axioms)
- Structural Hierarchy
- Core Algorithms/Protocols
- Diagnostic Questions/Tests
- Quick Reference Card
Optional sections (as warranted):
- Episode/Scene Templates
- Theoretical Correspondence Tables
- Source Cross-Reference Appendix
5. Formalization Patterns
Convert principles to implementable forms:
| Source Form | Target Form |
|---|---|
| Conceptual statement | Constraint rule |
| Process description | Pseudocode function |
| Best practice | Validity test |
| Comparison | Decision table |
| Taxonomy | Classification tree |
See references/formalization-patterns.md for detailed examples.
6. Axiom Identification
Identify 3-7 meta-principles that underpin the creator's entire approach:
AXIOM_CRITERIA:
- Foundational (other principles derive from it)
- Non-negotiable in the creator's worldview
- Distinguishes this approach from alternatives
- Stated explicitly or demonstrated consistently
Format axioms with unique identifiers: [CREATOR_INITIALS]-A[N]
7. Validation Checks
Before finalizing, verify:
- All principles traceable to source material
- Pseudocode is syntactically coherent
- Decision tables have complete coverage
- Quick reference captures essential operations
- Diagnostic questions are answerable yes/no
- Theoretical correspondences are accurate
8. Cross-Medium Adaptation Notes
When source material is medium-specific, include adaptation guidance for:
- Film → Television (serialization, episode structure)
- Literature → Interactive (agency, branching)
- Single creator → Collaborative (writers' room dynamics)
- Western → Non-Western theoretical traditions
Reference Files
- references/output-template.md — Full document structure template
- references/formalization-patterns.md — Examples of converting prose to algorithms
- references/theoretical-correspondences.md — Mapping table across narrative traditions
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