write-novel

name	write-novel
description	Write, outline, edit, and manage novel-length fiction with structured chapter-by-chapter support.
version	1.0.0
author	YYZ_Claw
license	MIT

Write Novel

Use this skill when the user wants to brainstorm, outline, draft, edit, or manage a fiction novel project.

Workflow Overview

1. Project Init — create or load the novel manifest (novel.json)
2. Foundation — premise, setting, characters, plot arcs
3. Outline — chapter-by-chapter plan
4. Drafting — write chapters with continuity checks
5. Revision — edit, rewrite, or add new material
6. Export — assemble full manuscript

---

Novel Project Structure

novel-name/
  novel.json          # project manifest (metadata, outline, characters, plot)
  style-guide.md      # tone, prose rules, formatting conventions
  chapters/
    001.md
    002.md
    ...
  revisions/
    001-rev2.md
    ...
  exports/
    novel-name.md
    novel-name.docx

---

novel.json Manifest

Every project must have a novel.json. Structure:

{
  "title": "Novel Title",
  "author": "Author Name",
  "genre": ["fantasy", "mystery"],
  "status": "outline | drafting | revising | complete",
  "premise": "One-paragraph core premise.",
  "pov": "third-limited",
  "tense": "past",
  "styleGuide": "style-guide.md",
  "characters": [
    {
      "id": "char-1",
      "name": "Elena Voss",
      "role": "protagonist",
      "age": 34,
      "description": "Brief physical and personality description.",
      "motivation": "What drives this character.",
      "arc": "How they change over the story.",
      "voice": "Key speech patterns, mannerisms.",
      "relationships": ["char-2: partner", "char-3: rival"]
    }
  ],
  "plotThreads": [
    {
      "id": "thread-1",
      "name": "The Missing Artifact",
      "type": "main",
      "summary": "Elena searches for an ancient relic.",
      "status": "active",
      "setupChapters": [1, 2, 3],
      "payoffChapter": null,
      "notes": ""
    }
  ],
  "outline": [
    {
      "chapter": 1,
      "title": "The Discovery",
      "summary": "Elena finds a strange artifact in the ruins.",
      "pov": "Elena",
      "threads": ["thread-1"],
      "wordCountTarget": 3000,
      "status": "drafting | drafted | revised"
    }
  ],
  "settings": [
    {
      "id": "loc-1",
      "name": "Thornwall City",
      "description": "A walled city of gray stone.",
      "notes": ""
    }
  ],
  "lore": [
    {
      "id": "lore-1",
      "name": "The Old Religion",
      "description": "Belief system outlawed 200 years ago.",
      "notes": ""
    }
  ]
}

---

Drafting Workflow

Before Writing a Chapter

1. Read the outline entry for the chapter.
2. Review the previous chapter's ending (or last 500 words) for continuity.
3. Check all active plot threads — are any unresolved from the previous chapter?
4. Confirm character states (location, emotional state, companions).

Writing

• Maintain consistent POV and tense per the manifest.
• Follow the style guide.
• Write in plain Markdown. Use --- for scene breaks.
• Aim for the word count target in the outline.

After Writing

1. Update novel.json: set chapter status to drafted, update active plot thread states.
2. Add any new characters, settings, or lore introduced in the chapter to the manifest.
3. Log any continuity notes (things to check in revision).

---

Revision Workflow

• Read the chapter to be revised and the revision request.
• Mark changed sections with <!-- REVISED: YYYY-MM-DD -->.
• Save the original chapter to revisions/<num>-rev<N>.md before overwriting.
• Update novel.json: set chapter status to revised.

---

Continuity Gate (Blocking)

Before every new chapter or revision pass, automatically check:

• Are there any open plot threads whose setupChapters have passed but have no payoffChapter?
• Are any characters in a location they shouldn't be, given the previous chapter?
• Is the POV consistent with the outline?

Flag any issues to the user before proceeding. Do not silently paper over continuity gaps.

---

Export

Full manuscript assembly:

• Concatenate all drafted/revised chapters in order.
• Add title page and optional table of contents.
• Export as .md (always available) or .docx (on request).
• Save to exports/ with the novel title as filename.