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plot-structure

npx machina-cli add skill danjdewhurst/story-skills/plot-structure --openclaw
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SKILL.md
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Plot Structure

Overview

Plan and manage story arcs, plot points, foreshadowing, and narrative timeline. Each arc is a markdown file in plot/arcs/ with a chronological timeline maintained in plot/timeline.md. The plot index tracks all arcs, their status, and theme coverage.

Prerequisites

A story project must already exist (created via the story-init skill). Verify by checking for story.md in the project root.

Choosing a Story Structure

  1. Read story.md for genre and themes
  2. Consult references/structure-models.md for available structures
  3. Recommend a structure based on genre (default to three-act if unclear)
  4. Update plot/_index.md frontmatter structure field
  5. Populate the story structure section with the beat sheet

Creating an Arc

  1. Read story.md for themes
  2. Read plot/_index.md for existing arcs
  3. Read characters/_index.md to understand available characters
  4. Ask for:
    • Arc name
    • Type (main, subplot, character, thematic)
    • Which characters are involved
    • Which themes it serves
  5. Build the arc through conversation: setup, escalations, climax, resolution
  6. Write the file using references/arc-template.md
  7. Save to plot/arcs/{arc-name-kebab}.md
  8. Update plot/_index.md arcs table
  9. Update theme tracking in plot/_index.md
  10. If characters are referenced, verify they exist in characters/

Managing Plot Points

Plot points live within arc files in the "Plot Points" table. When adding a plot point:

  1. Read the relevant arc file
  2. Add the plot point to the table with chapter reference (if known)
  3. Add the event to plot/timeline.md in chronological order
  4. If the plot point involves foreshadowing, add it to the arc's foreshadowing table

Timeline Management

The timeline at plot/timeline.md is a chronological master list of all story events across all arcs.

When adding events:

  • Insert in chronological order
  • Link to the relevant arc and chapter
  • Keep entries concise (one line per event)

When reviewing the timeline:

  • Check for chronological consistency
  • Identify pacing issues (too many events clustered, long gaps)
  • Flag arcs that haven't progressed

Foreshadowing Tracking

Each arc tracks its own foreshadowing in the "Foreshadowing" table:

  • Planted: What hint or setup is placed
  • Payoff: What the payoff will be
  • Chapter Planted / Chapter Payoff: Where each occurs
  • Status: planted or paid-off

During chapter writing, flag any planted items that haven't been paid off as reminders.

Cross-Referencing

  • Arcs reference characters via frontmatter characters field
  • Arcs reference themes via frontmatter themes field
  • Plot points reference chapters
  • Timeline entries link arcs and chapters
  • Theme tracking in plot/_index.md maps themes to arcs and chapters

Reference Files

  • references/arc-template.md - Template for arc files with frontmatter and sections
  • references/structure-models.md - Story structure models (three-act, hero's journey, save the cat, kishotenketsu, five-act) with beat sheets

Source

git clone https://github.com/danjdewhurst/story-skills/blob/main/skills/plot-structure/SKILL.mdView on GitHub

Overview

Plot Structure helps you plan and manage story arcs, plot points, foreshadowing, and narrative timeline. Each arc is stored as a markdown file in plot/arcs/ with a central timeline at plot/timeline.md, while plot/_index.md tracks overall structure, arcs, status, and theme coverage.

How This Skill Works

Start by ensuring a story project exists (story.md). Choose a structure from references/structure-models.md and record it in plot/_index.md. Create arcs using references/arc-template.md and save them to plot/arcs/{arc-name-kebab}.md, then populate the arc’s Plot Points and update plot/timeline.md chronologically. Track foreshadowing in each arc's Foreshadowing table and keep cross-references to characters and themes consistent across arcs and the index.

When to Use It

  • When starting a new story and planning its overall structure based on genre and themes.
  • When adding a main arc, subplot, or character arc to the story.
  • When placing or adjusting plot points and beat sheets within arcs.
  • When building or updating the chronological timeline across all arcs.
  • When tracking foreshadowing and pacing to ensure payoffs align with planted hints.

Quick Start

  1. Step 1: Ensure a story project exists (check for story.md in the project root).
  2. Step 2: Pick a structure from references/structure-models.md and set it in plot/_index.md.
  3. Step 3: Create the arc file with references/arc-template.md, save to plot/arcs/{arc-name-kebab}.md, then update the timeline and foreshadowing tables.

Best Practices

  • Verify that a story project exists (story.md) before proceeding.
  • Consult references/structure-models.md to select an appropriate structure for the genre.
  • Use references/arc-template.md to create arcs for consistent frontmatter and sections.
  • Keep plot/timeline.md concise and ensure events are in strict chronological order.
  • Regularly cross-reference arcs, characters, and themes in plot/_index.md to maintain consistency.

Example Use Cases

  • Arc: Protagonist's Awakening arc created with a three-act structure, linking to acts in timeline.md.
  • Timeline example: Events across Arc A and Arc B with direct links to their respective arc files.
  • Foreshadowing: Plant a hint in Act I that pays off in Act III, tracked in the arc's Foreshadowing table.
  • Structure choice: Adopt a three-act structure for a mystery thriller and document in plot/_index.md.
  • Arc update: Add a new subplot arc involving secondary characters and update theme coverage in the index.

Frequently Asked Questions

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