Novel Writing Techniques

novel-prose

Section-by-Section Writing Method

Core Principles

Writing Process

1. Scene Planning
   └── Plan 5-8 scenes for this chapter, clarifying the function of each scene:
       - Advance the plot
       - Deepen character development
       - Lay foreshadowing
       - Build atmosphere
       - Climax/turning point

2. Scene-by-Scene Writing
   └── Complete each scene in order:
       a. After finishing a scene, check its coherence with the previous content
       b. Ensure consistent narrative perspective
       c. Maintain rhythm
       d. Proceed to the next scene

3. Chapter Integration
   └── After all scenes are completed:
       a. Read the entire chapter to check coherence
       b. Confirm the word count meets the requirement
       c. Check if foreshadowing is laid/recovered as planned

Narrative Standards

Perspective Consistency

• First Person: Narrate consistently from the protagonist's perspective, do not describe information beyond the protagonist's perception
• Third Person Limited: Follow the perspective character closely, inner monologues are limited to this character
• Third Person Omniscient: Can switch perspectives freely, but maintain one main perspective within each scene
• Switching Rules: Perspective switches only occur at scene breaks, not in the middle of a paragraph

Dialogue Requirements

• Character-Consistent: Dialogue must match the character's identity, personality, education level, and emotional state
• Plot-Driving: Each segment of dialogue should advance the plot or reveal information, avoid meaningless chatter
• Subtext: Important dialogue should have implied meaning, do not state all information directly
• Action Interspersion: Intersperse the character's actions, expressions, and psychology in dialogue, avoid simple back-and-forth exchanges

Scene Description

• Visualization: Let readers "see" the scene, use specific colors, light and shadow, and spatial sense
• Sensory Engagement: Include not only vision but also hearing, smell, touch, and taste
• Immersive: Build atmosphere through details to let readers feel like they are there
• Selective: Not all scenes require detailed description, allocate writing effort based on plot importance
• Dynamic: Incorporate action and change in descriptions, avoid static environment expositions

Rhythm Control

• Alternate Length: Use short sentences for tense scenes, long sentences for lyrical scenes
• Mix Fast and Slow: Fast pace for action scenes (more verbs, short paragraphs), slow pace for emotional scenes (more descriptions, long paragraphs)
• Breathing Room: Provide a buffer after climaxes, relaxation after tension, giving readers time to catch their breath
• Suspense Setup: Appropriately leave suspense at the end of scenes/chapters to drive reading

Word Count Discipline

• Single chapter no less than 10,000 Chinese characters
• Maintain rhythm, avoid padding
• Allocate sufficient space for key scenes
• Streamline transitional content
• If this chapter is indeed a short transitional chapter, explain the reason in the return report

File Naming and Format

• File Path:

  novel/{Book Title}/Main Text/Chapter X_{Chapter Title}.md

• Title Format:

  # Chapter X - {Chapter Title}

• Encoding: UTF-8
• Paragraph Separation: Separate paragraphs with blank lines

Writing Mindset

1. Immersive Creation: Immerse yourself in the story world, observe through the characters' eyes, and feel with the characters' hearts
2. Bold Imagination: Do not self-censor, do not set pre-defined limits, let the story grow naturally
3. Meticulous Crafting: Every scene deserves careful attention, details determine quality
4. Uninterrupted Flow: Maintain writing coherence within a single scene, do not interrupt your train of thought
5. Completion is Victory: Finish first, then perfect. It's better to write and revise later than to repeatedly deliberate over the first sentence

Post-Writing Self-Review Checklist

• Word count >= 10,000?
• Is the narrative perspective consistent?
• Does the dialogue match the character's personality?
• Does the scene description have a vivid sense of imagery?
• Has the plot advanced? Is there any stagnation?
• Is foreshadowing laid/recovered as per plan.md?
• Is the transition from the previous chapter natural?
• Is the rhythm well-paced?

Prohibited Behaviors

• Do not assume settings: Must check the setting files for confirmation (see novel-memory skill), do not make up settings out of thin air
• Do not skip steps: Complete every scene, do not rush through
• Do not pad content: Meet the word count through content quality, not through repetitive descriptions or meaningless dialogue
• Do not copy directly: If reference materials are used, must re-create the content, do not copy directly