updates to chapter workflow skill

chapter-workflow/SKILL.md

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 ---
 name: chapter-workflow
-description: Use when starting a new chapter, resuming chapter drafting, or moving to the next stage of chapter development for The Shade Series. Invoke with a chapter number argument, e.g. /chapter-workflow 3
+description: Use when starting a new chapter, resuming chapter drafting, or moving to the next stage of chapter development for A Phelan Varrant Novel. Invoke with a chapter number argument, e.g. /chapter-workflow 3
 ---
 
 # Chapter Workflow
@@ -74,9 +74,22 @@ Check which files exist in `chapters/book{BOOK}/`:
 
 ## Stage 1: Seed
 
-If `chXX-input.md` doesn't exist, create it from `chapters/book{BOOK}/chapter-input-template.md` with the chapter number filled in. Tell the author to fill in their notes and re-invoke.
+If `chXX-input.md` doesn't exist:
 
-If `chXX-input.md` exists but sections are empty (only HTML comments), tell the author it needs content before proceeding.
+1. **Read context sources** for this chapter. Prefer the outline file as the primary source of chapter-level detail; fall back to the book CLAUDE.md only if the outline is absent or thin:
+   - **`outline/book{BOOK}-outline.md`** — **primary source.** Find this chapter's row in the chapter table AND any dedicated per-chapter section for planned-but-not-drafted chapters. Extract plot beats, scene-level content, and the Arc Intersection Map row for this chapter number to capture which character arcs advance.
+   - `chapters/book{BOOK}/CLAUDE.md` — **secondary source.** Look for the chapter in any Chapter Breakdown or Character Arcs section if present. Modern lean CLAUDE.md files point to the outline for this content — in that case, the CLAUDE.md provides Premise, Themes, Milestone Beats, Key Callbacks, and Character Arcs one-line shifts for orientation, not per-chapter detail.
+   - **Relevant character files from `characters/`** — for each character with a scene in this chapter, read the Book {BOOK} progression table and any milestone entries landing near this chapter number. This catches voice, dialog patterns, and current relationship state.
+
+2. **Create `chXX-input.md`** using the template from `chapters/chapter-input-template.md` (central location, shared across all books), but **pre-populate it** with the extracted context:
+   - **Scene Goals:** Fill with the plot beats, case developments, and milestone beats from the outline's chapter entry. Use bullet points.
+   - **Character Moments:** Fill with character arc beats, relationship developments, and the Arc Intersection Map row for this chapter. Pull specific voice/behavior notes from the character files where relevant.
+   - **Mood / Tone:** Fill with any tone/pacing notes derivable from the chapter description (e.g., "tension building," "quiet domestic," "action climax").
+   - **Key Dialog** and **Freeform Notes:** Leave these as empty template sections (HTML comments only) — these are for the author's original input.
+
+3. **Tell the author** the input file has been seeded with context from the outline (and, where applicable, the book CLAUDE.md and character files). Ask them to review it, add their dialog ideas and freeform notes, and re-invoke when ready.
+
+If `chXX-input.md` exists but ALL sections are empty (only HTML comments), tell the author it needs content before proceeding.
 
 ## Stage 2: Scene Breakdown
 
@@ -104,6 +117,14 @@ Write the full chapter in one pass based on the approved scene plan. Save to `ch
 
 **Before drafting:** Re-read the story summary and timeline to ensure continuity. Do NOT re-read full prior chapter drafts — the summary contains everything needed.
 
+**Also re-read the character files for every character with a speaking or on-page role in this chapter.** The character files in `characters/` are the canonical source for:
+- Voice quirks and dialog patterns (e.g., Phelan's noise parentheticals, Mere's declarative speech and three-stream limit, Ledger's architectural expressions, Devod's ten-ideas methodology, Kae's pendant tell, Leon's post-Ch18 shift)
+- Current relationship state (partner, enemy, estranged, newly reclassified)
+- Physical description, bearing, and signature mannerisms
+- Recent character development that may not be captured in the scene plan
+
+The scene plan from Stage 2 carries forward *what happens*; the character files carry forward *how each character sounds and behaves while it happens*. Both are required for draft fidelity.
+
 **Process:**
 1. Write all scenes sequentially into a single complete chapter draft
 2. Save the entire draft to `chXX-draft.md`
@@ -117,6 +138,45 @@ Write the full chapter in one pass based on the approved scene plan. Save to `ch
 - End with resolved beat or micro-hook
 - All time references (bells, days, day-of-week) must match `timeline-book{BOOK}.md`
 
+**Repetition discipline (pre-empts manuscript-analysis Phase 1):**
+- **No exact phrase (3+ words) twice** within a chapter unless it's a deliberate callback or dialogue beat. If you reach for the same phrase twice, vary the second.
+- **No distinctive word** (specific adjective, adverb, non-topical noun) used 4+ times within a chapter. Topical terms (bracelet, crystal, Flaw Sight, moss, seam) are exempt when context requires them.
+- **Crutch constructions to avoid:**
+  - *"X the way Y [verb] X"* — e.g., "registered it the way he registered everything" — limit to one per chapter
+  - *"It was [noun] of someone who [verb]…"* anaphoric pairs — use the anchor noun once, then vary
+  - *"The X was not X. The X was X in the sense that…"* paragraph architecture — once per chapter max
+  - *"I did not X. I did not Y. I did not Z."* anaphora — voice-consistent but limit to one cluster per chapter
+  - *"Not X. Not Y."* fragment openers — limit to 2 per chapter
+- **Voice pattern quota:** noise parentheticals, cataloguing sentences, and dialogue-echo beats are Phelan voice — use them deliberately. If any voice pattern appears 3+ times in a chapter, at least one instance should be structurally different or cut.
+- **Dialogue-beat echoes** (*"Tonight..." / "Tonight..."*, *"The seam..." / "The seam..."*) are intentional rhythm. Use with purpose, not as default fallback when you can't generate distinct exchanges.
+
+**Continuity pre-check (pre-empts manuscript-analysis Phase 2):**
+Before writing scenes involving these elements, consult:
+- Time references (bells, days, elapsed time) → `world/timeline-book{BOOK}.md`
+- Currency, prices, payments → `world/economy.md`
+- Character knowledge state (who knows what, when) → `characters/{name}.md`
+- Named location details → `world/locations/{name}.md`
+- Magic system usage → `world/magic/runic-flow-rules.md` and `world/magic/exploits-log.md`
+- Prior chapter state → `world/story-summary-book{BOOK}.md`
+
+When uncertain, mark `[CONTINUITY FLAG: note]` inline rather than guessing.
+
+**Structural variety (pre-empts manuscript-analysis Phase 3 pacing/POV findings):**
+- Vary paragraph openings across a chapter. Don't open three consecutive paragraphs with "I …" or "The [noun] …" or "[Character] [verbed]…".
+- Vary sentence length within scenes. Action scenes earn clipped fragments; investigation scenes earn longer discursive sentences. Avoid uniform-length paragraphs.
+- **Noise parentheticals:** 4–6 for establishing chapters, 3–5 for ongoing. Each must do narrative work (reveal character, advance plot, humor). Don't place two consecutive parentheticals unless the scene demands it (hyperfocus, crash, action spike).
+
+**Pre-handoff self-check:**
+Before saving the draft and telling the author it's ready, run this pass:
+
+1. **Phrase repetition scan:** Look for any 3+ word phrase used twice. Trim or vary the second instance unless it's a deliberate callback or dialogue echo.
+2. **Noise count:** Count parentheticals. Within target range? If over, cut the one doing the least narrative work.
+3. **Paragraph-opener scan:** Read only the first few words of each paragraph. Flag any cluster of identical openers.
+4. **Continuity scan:** Verify any time references, currency amounts, character-knowledge claims, and location details against the canonical files listed in the continuity pre-check.
+5. **Crutch construction scan:** Search the chapter for the construction templates above. Trim any that cluster.
+
+Fix issues before handing off. The less manuscript-analysis finds post-hoc, the better.
+
 **After saving:** Tell the author the draft is in `chXX-draft.md` and to edit it directly. When they're satisfied with their edits, they should re-invoke `/chapter-workflow XX` for the final review.
 
 ## Stage 4: Review
@@ -130,6 +190,12 @@ The author has edited `chXX-draft.md`. Now perform a final review focused on:
 5. **Voice consistency** — every paragraph sounds like Phelan
 6. **Continuity** — cross-check against `world/story-summary-book{BOOK}.md` and `world/timeline-book{BOOK}.md` for conflicts with established canon
 7. **KDP formatting** — em dashes, smart quotes, scene breaks, structure
+8. **Repetition & crutch patterns** — apply the Stage 3 repetition discipline as review criteria:
+   - Exact 3+ word phrase repeats (not deliberate callbacks or dialogue echoes)
+   - Distinctive words used 4+ times (non-topical)
+   - Crutch constructions over quota (*"X the way Y [verb] X"*, anaphoric *"It was [noun] of someone who…"* pairs, *"The X was not X. The X was X…"* architecture, *"I did not X. I did not Y…"* clusters, *"Not X. Not Y."* opener counts)
+   - Paragraph-opener clusters (3+ consecutive paragraphs with the same opener)
+9. **Noise parenthetical discipline** — verify count within target (4–6 establishing, 3–5 ongoing) and that each does narrative work; flag any consecutive parentheticals not demanded by pacing (hyperfocus, crash, action spike)
 
 **Output format:** Present findings organized by category. For each issue, quote the relevant text and suggest a fix. After author approval of any changes, **rename** `chXX-draft.md` to `chXX-final.md` using `mv` — do NOT rewrite the file contents.