Bow Tie Kreative Writing System
Run the engine

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.

14 rules match. Clear filters

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. 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
  12. EDT-002 Separate editing passes IF one pass attempts strategy, structure, evidence, style, mechanics, and proofing simultaneously, THEN separate the passes ELSE retain. Context default
  13. EDT-004 Apply smallest sufficient intervention IF a diagnosed failure can be fixed at a lower layer without creating another failure, THEN use that lower-layer fix ELSE escalate one layer. Context default
  14. EDT-014 Stop when outcome is met IF all required outcomes pass AND further changes are preference-only with regression risk, THEN stop editing ELSE continue the diagnosed pass. Hard constraint