story-planner

Convert chapter requirements into a structured beat outline with character arcs and pacing guidance.

12|4|Updated Jan 27, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/heaversm/ralph-storywriter --skill story-planner
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: story-planner
Source: https://github.com/heaversm/ralph-storywriter/tree/main/.claude/skills/story-planner
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/heaversm/ralph-storywriter --skill story-planner

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

This Skill helps writers turn a rough chapter goal into a structured narrative plan that fits the larger story. It reduces drift, pacing problems, and continuity mistakes by grounding each chapter in the story bible, outline, prior progress, and chapter requirements.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Chapter Beat Planning: Breaks a chapter into opening, development, turning point, and closing beats with goals, conflict, stakes, and hooks.
  • Continuity and Character Alignment: Checks that character behavior, world rules, and plot threads stay consistent with the existing story framework.
  • Writing Handoff: Produces a reusable chapter plan with tone, pacing, POV, world-building notes, and a word count target for drafting.
  • Use Case: When outlining the next chapter of a fantasy novel, use this Skill to map the protagonist's emotional shift, define scene progression, and set up the next chapter without contradicting earlier events.

Quick Start

Ask the story-planner skill to create a plan for a specific chapter using the current story bible, outline, progress notes, and prd.json requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions about story-planner

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I turn chapter ideas into structured story beats for fiction writing?

To turn chapter ideas into story beats, you need a structured chapter planning process that converts requirements into opening, development, turning point, and closing beats. This approach grounds your narrative structure in your existing story bible and outline to prevent plot drift.

What is the best way to maintain character arc continuity when outlining a novel chapter?

Maintaining character arc continuity requires checking your chapter plan against your story bible and prior progress notes. By aligning character behavior and world rules with existing plot threads, you ensure consistent narrative structure and prevent contradicting earlier events.

Can I use my existing story bible and outline files for chapter planning?

Yes, you can use your existing story bible and outline files for chapter planning. The process reads source material, progress notes, and task definitions to generate a structured markdown plan that fits seamlessly into your established fiction writing workflow.

How do I set pacing guidance and word count targets for a new chapter draft?

Setting pacing guidance and word count targets involves defining scene progression and character emotional shifts within a chapter plan. This structured outline provides specific tone, POV, world-building notes, and measurable goals to guide the actual drafting process.

What files do I need before planning the next chapter of my fantasy novel?

Before planning your next chapter, you need a STORY_BIBLE.md, an OUTLINE.md, source-material files, progress notes, and a prd.json file. These inputs provide the necessary narrative framework and task definitions to generate an accurate chapter beat outline.

Does chapter planning help fix pacing problems and plot drift in fiction writing?

Yes, chapter planning helps fix pacing problems and plot drift by grounding each narrative beat in your established story framework. Converting chapter requirements into a structured outline with continuity notes reduces drift and ensures the scene progression aligns with overall story goals.