Reverse-Outliner

Act as an active outline partner who develops structure collaboratively. Use when developing, iterating, or improving story outlines. Generates scene beats, character arcs, plot structures, and exploratory prose samples. Contrasts with story-collaborator which drafts finished prose.

Diagnose world-level story problems. This skill should be used when settings feel thin, institutions feel designed rather than evolved, economies don't make sense, or non-human species feel like humans in costume. Keywords: worldbuilding, setting, world, institutions, economy, culture, species, consequences.

Systematically identify what's missing in non-fiction writing—both blind spots (inherent limitations) and blank spots (gaps that could be addressed). Use before finalizing non-fiction or when feedback feels incomplete.

Structure scenes and control pacing using scene-sequel rhythm. Use when individual scenes work but don't accumulate, when pacing feels off (too rushed or too slow), when transitions feel mechanical, or when readers can follow but aren't compelled forward. Based on Dwight Swain's Goal-Conflict-Disaster and Reaction-Dilemma-Decision structure.

Design economic systems for fictional worlds. Use when worldbuilding needs currencies, trade networks, resource economies, or when economic pressures should drive plot and character motivation.

Create worldbuilding quotes and epigraphs through documentary perspectives. Use for chapter epigraphs, in-world documents, or any content where limited perspective creates meaning through what the documenter cannot see.