crucible-editor

What this skill does

# Crucible Editor

Revision and editing assistant for Crucible-drafted novels, handling developmental editing through final polish.

## Overview

The Crucible Editor provides structured editing support at four levels:
1. **Developmental Editing** — Structure, pacing, character arcs, plot coherence
2. **Line Editing** — Scene-level prose improvement, voice consistency
3. **Copy Editing** — Grammar, consistency, style guide adherence
4. **Final Polish** — Micro-level refinement, word choice, rhythm

## Before Starting

**Read these references based on editing phase:**
- `references/developmental-checklist.md` — Structure and story issues
- `references/line-editing-guide.md` — Prose improvement techniques
- `references/copy-editing-standards.md` — Grammar and style rules
- `references/polish-techniques.md` — Final refinement methods

## Questioning Rules

1. **ALWAYS use AskUserQuestion tool** for all user questions (provides interactive UI)
2. **Max 4 options per question** (tool limit) + "Other" is automatic
3. **Max 4 questions per AskUserQuestion call**
4. **Reference specific issues** by location (chapter, scene, paragraph)
5. **Batch similar decisions** when possible

**CRITICAL: Use the AskUserQuestion tool, NOT plain text A/B/C options.**

## Required Inputs

Before editing can begin, gather:

1. **Draft Chapter(s)** (required) — The crucible-writer output to edit
2. **Chapter Outline** (recommended) — For developmental editing verification
3. **Style Profile** (recommended) — For voice consistency checking
4. **Story Bible** (as needed) — For continuity verification
5. **Review Reports** (if available) — From bi-chapter review agents

## Workflow

```
Phase 1: ASSESSMENT → Load draft, identify editing level needed
Phase 2: DEVELOPMENTAL → Structure and story issues (if needed)
Phase 3: LINE EDITING → Prose improvement scene-by-scene
Phase 4: COPY EDITING → Grammar and consistency pass
Phase 5: POLISH → Final refinement
Phase 6: COMPILE → Generate edited manuscript
```

---

## Phase 1: Assessment

### Load Draft Material

Request the draft material:
```
To begin editing, I need:

1. **The chapter(s) to edit** — paste or specify file location
2. **Any specific concerns?** (Optional)
   - Areas you feel need work
   - Feedback from readers/critique partners
   - Issues flagged in bi-chapter reviews
```

Then use AskUserQuestion for editing scope:
```json
{
  "questions": [
    {
      "header": "Edit Scope",
      "question": "What level of editing do you want?",
      "options": [
        {"label": "Full edit", "description": "All levels: developmental, line, copy, and polish"},
        {"label": "Developmental only", "description": "Structure, pacing, character arcs, plot coherence"},
        {"label": "Line editing only", "description": "Scene-level prose improvement, voice consistency"},
        {"label": "Copy/Polish only", "description": "Grammar, consistency, final refinement"}
      ],
      "multiSelect": false
    }
  ]
}
```

### Initial Assessment

After loading, provide:

```
**EDITING ASSESSMENT: Chapter [X]**

Word Count: [X,XXX]
Overall Quality: [Draft/Rough/Polished]

**Developmental Issues Found:**
- [ ] None / [List specific issues]

**Line Editing Needs:**
- [ ] Minimal / Moderate / Significant

**Copy Editing Level:**
- [ ] Clean / Some errors / Needs attention

**Recommended Editing Path:**
[Specific recommendation based on assessment]
```

Use AskUserQuestion:
```json
{
  "questions": [
    {
      "header": "Edit Path",
      "question": "How would you like to proceed?",
      "options": [
        {"label": "Recommended path", "description": "Follow the suggested editing sequence"},
        {"label": "Specific level", "description": "Focus on one particular editing level"},
        {"label": "Discuss first", "description": "Talk through the issues before deciding"}
      ],
      "multiSelect": false
    }
  ]
}
```

---

## Phase 2: Developmental Editing

Focus: Structure, story, character, pacing

### Structural Checks

Verify against outline (if available):
- [ ] All required scenes present
- [ ] Scene order makes sense
- [ ] No unplanned additions that derail structure
- [ ] Chapter accomplishes its story purpose

### Character Arc Verification

- [ ] Character motivations clear
- [ ] Emotional beats land
- [ ] Character voice consistent
- [ ] Relationship dynamics accurate

### Pacing Analysis

```
**PACING REPORT: Chapter [X]**

Opening hook: [Strong/Adequate/Weak]
Middle momentum: [Good/Drags/Rushed]
Ending turn: [Effective/Flat/Confusing]

Specific pacing issues:
- [Scene X] drags because [reason]
- [Scene Y] rushes past [important moment]

Recommendations:
1. [Specific structural change]
2. [Specific pacing adjustment]
```

### Developmental Fixes

For each issue identified:

```
**DEVELOPMENTAL FIX [X]**

Issue: [Description]
Location: [Scene/paragraph reference]
Impact: [How this affects the story]

Proposed fix:
[Specific change or rewrite recommendation]
```

Use AskUserQuestion:
```json
{
  "questions": [
    {
      "header": "Fix",
      "question": "How would you like to handle this developmental issue?",
      "options": [
        {"label": "Apply fix", "description": "Implement the proposed change"},
        {"label": "Skip", "description": "Will address differently or later"},
        {"label": "Discuss", "description": "Talk through the approach first"}
      ],
      "multiSelect": false
    }
  ]
}
```

---

## Phase 3: Line Editing

Focus: Prose quality scene-by-scene

### Scene-by-Scene Analysis

For each scene, check:
- **Clarity** — Is meaning clear on first read?
- **Economy** — Any wasted words or repetition?
- **Voice** — Does it match the style profile?
- **Sensory Detail** — Appropriate level for scene type
- **Dialogue** — Natural, distinct voices, effective tags

### Line Editing Report Format

```
**LINE EDIT: Scene [X.Y]**

Strengths:
- [What's working well]

Issues Found:
1. [Issue type]: "[specific passage]" — [explanation]
2. [Issue type]: "[specific passage]" — [explanation]

Suggested Revisions:
[Show original vs revised for key passages]
```

Use AskUserQuestion:
```json
{
  "questions": [
    {
      "header": "Revisions",
      "question": "How would you like to handle these line edits?",
      "options": [
        {"label": "Accept all", "description": "Apply all suggested revisions"},
        {"label": "Review each", "description": "Go through revisions one by one"},
        {"label": "Skip scene", "description": "Move to the next scene"}
      ],
      "multiSelect": false
    }
  ]
}
```

### Common Line Edit Categories

- **Show vs Tell** — Convert telling to showing
- **Filter Words** — Remove "felt," "saw," "heard" etc.
- **Weak Verbs** — Strengthen verb choices
- **Redundancy** — Cut repeated information
- **Passive Voice** — Convert to active where appropriate
- **Dialogue Tags** — Simplify or remove unnecessary tags
- **Pacing** — Adjust sentence rhythm

---

## Phase 4: Copy Editing

Focus: Grammar, consistency, style

### Grammar Check

- Sentence structure
- Subject-verb agreement
- Tense consistency
- Pronoun clarity
- Punctuation

### Consistency Check

- Character name spellings
- Place name spellings
- Magic/world terminology
- Timeline references
- Physical descriptions match story bible

### Style Adherence

- Point of view consistency
- Narrative distance consistent
- Dialogue formatting
- Scene break formatting

### Copy Edit Report

```
**COPY EDIT REPORT: Chapter [X]**

Errors Found: [Count]
By Category:
- Grammar: [X]
- Spelling: [X]
- Consistency: [X]
- Style: [X]

Critical Fixes (must address):
1. [Issue with correction]

Minor Fixes (recommended):
1. [Issue with correction]
```

Use AskUserQuestion:
```json
{
  "questions": [
    {
      "header": "Copy Fixes",
      "question": "How would you like to handle these copy edits?",
      "options": [
        {"label": "Apply all", "description": "Apply all fixes (critical and minor)"},
        {"label":