The rules
Every rule, and how hard it binds
228 base rules across 14 domains and 9 structural layers. Filter them, then open one to see its condition tree, both branches, its exceptions and its sources.
18 rules match. Clear filters
- NAR-001 Give the focal agent a desire IF a narrative section expects forward motion AND the focal agent has no legible desire or need, THEN reveal one ELSE retain deliberate mystery with another source of propulsion. Context default
- NAR-002 Obstacle opposes the desire IF the focal agent has a desire but no meaningful resistance, THEN introduce an external, interpersonal, internal, or systemic obstacle ELSE retain. Context default
- NAR-003 Make stakes change choice IF failure or success would not alter the agent’s choices, relationships, identity, resources, safety, or future, THEN strengthen or clarify stakes ELSE retain a low-stakes form by design. Context default
- NAR-004 Events cause later events IF a major event has no causal, motivational, or thematic relation to what precedes it, THEN connect, foreshadow, move, or remove it ELSE retain. Hard constraint
- NAR-005 Scene contains a turn IF a scene begins and ends with the same relevant value, knowledge, power, relationship, or plan, THEN add a turn or compress the scene ELSE retain an intentional atmosphere scene. Heuristic
- NAR-006 Choice reveals character IF the story asserts a trait without a consequential choice that demonstrates it, THEN create or cite such a choice ELSE retain. Heuristic
- NAR-007 Control point of view IF perception, knowledge, or interior access exceeds the established viewpoint without a marked shift, THEN remove, recast, or mark the shift ELSE retain. Hard constraint
- NAR-008 Keep narrative tense stable IF narrative tense changes without a time-frame or mode shift, THEN restore the established tense ELSE retain. Context default
- NAR-009 Use scene when the moment changes the state IF an event contains consequential choice, conflict, discovery, or relationship change, THEN dramatize enough of it as scene ELSE summary may carry it. Heuristic
- NAR-010 Use summary for compression and linkage IF time passes without a necessary beat-by-beat change, THEN summarize it and move to the next consequential moment ELSE remain in scene. Heuristic
- NAR-011 Dialogue changes the interaction IF a line of dialogue neither pursues a goal, resists, reveals, conceals, changes status, or creates rhythm, THEN cut or rewrite it ELSE retain. Heuristic
- NAR-012 Subtext differs from literal text IF characters have conflicting public and private goals, THEN let word choice, omission, action, or rhythm carry subtext ELSE direct speech is acceptable. Creative option
- NAR-013 Exposition arrives through present need IF background information interrupts current desire or conflict, THEN delay, distribute, or attach it to a present decision ELSE retain. Heuristic
- NAR-014 Foreshadow without announcing IF a later turn requires preparation, THEN plant a fair detail that has an immediate function and gains a second meaning later ELSE do not add arbitrary clues. Creative option
- NAR-015 Pay off planted elements IF a detail is emphasized as a promise, mystery, threat, goal, or motif, THEN resolve, transform, or deliberately leave it open ELSE reduce its emphasis. Context default
- NAR-016 Ending resolves the controlling change IF the narrative establishes a controlling desire, question, or value conflict, THEN the ending must answer, transform, or meaningfully refuse it ELSE retain an episodic close. Context default
- NAR-017 Description follows viewpoint and pressure IF description lists details the viewpoint character would not notice in the current goal or emotion, THEN select details shaped by attention ELSE retain omniscient design. Heuristic
- NAR-018 Show or tell by reader task IF the reader must experience, infer, or judge a consequential moment, THEN show selected evidence; IF the reader only needs transition or orientation, tell efficiently ELSE blend both. Heuristic