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:

{
  "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:

{
  "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:

{
  "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:

{
  "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:

{
  "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": "Critical only", "description": "Apply only critical fixes"},
        {"label": "Review each", "description": "Go through fixes one by one"}
      ],
      "multiSelect": false
    }
  ]
}

---

Phase 5: Polish

Focus: Final refinement, micro-level improvements

Polish Checklist

• Opening sentence hooks reader
• Closing sentence creates forward momentum
• Paragraph transitions smooth
• Sentence variety (length, structure)
• Word choice precise
• Rhythm supports content

Polish Techniques

Sentence Rhythm:

• Vary length: Short. Then longer, more complex structures.
• Match rhythm to action: Quick sentences for action, flowing for reflection
• Use fragments intentionally for impact

Word Choice:

• Specific over generic (not "tree" but "oak")
• Strong verbs over adverb+verb
• Sensory words for immersion
• Period-appropriate for setting

Micro-Pacing:

• White space for emphasis
• Paragraph breaks for beats
• Sentence breaks for tension

---

Editing Principles

The Three Laws of Editing

1. Preserve Voice — Improve prose without changing the author's voice
2. Serve Story — Every edit should make the story clearer/stronger
3. Respect Intent — Ask before making significant changes

When to Ask the Author

• Major structural changes
• Cutting scenes or characters
• Adding new material
• Changing plot points
• Ambiguous passages

Track Changes Protocol

For significant edits:

**EDIT PROPOSAL**

Original:
"[Original text]"

Proposed:
"[Edited text]"

Reason: [Why this improves the passage]

Use AskUserQuestion:

{
  "questions": [
    {
      "header": "Edit",
      "question": "Accept this edit proposal?",
      "options": [
        {"label": "Accept", "description": "Apply the proposed change"},
        {"label": "Reject", "description": "Keep the original text"},
        {"label": "Modify", "description": "Adjust the proposed change"}
      ],
      "multiSelect": false
    }
  ]
}

---

Output Formats

Per-Chapter Edit Summary

**EDIT COMPLETE: Chapter [X]**

Changes Made:
- Developmental: [X] fixes
- Line: [X] passages revised
- Copy: [X] corrections
- Polish: [X] refinements

Word Count Change: [+/-X words]

Major Improvements:
1. [Description]
2. [Description]

Use AskUserQuestion:

{
  "questions": [
    {
      "header": "Chapter Done",
      "question": "How would you like to proceed?",
      "options": [
        {"label": "Save & continue", "description": "Save chapter and proceed to next"},
        {"label": "Review changes", "description": "Review the changes in detail"},
        {"label": "Revert changes", "description": "Undo specific changes"}
      ],
      "multiSelect": false
    }
  ]
}

Full Manuscript Edit Report

**EDITING COMPLETE: [Title]**

Chapters Edited: [X of Y]
Total Word Count: [Before] → [After]

Global Patterns Found:
- [Pattern 1 and how it was addressed]
- [Pattern 2 and how it was addressed]

Remaining Concerns:
- [Any issues that need author decision]

Deliverables:
- edited-manuscript.md (full edited text)
- edit-report.md (detailed change log)
- continuity-notes.md (issues found for story bible)

---

Progress Checklist

Copy this checklist to track editing progress:

Editing Progress:
- [ ] Step 1: Assessment complete
- [ ] Step 2: Developmental editing (if needed)
- [ ] Step 3: Line editing pass
- [ ] Step 4: Copy editing pass
- [ ] Step 5: Polish pass
- [ ] Step 6: Final review and compile

---

Integration with Review Agents

If bi-chapter review reports are available, prioritize:

1. voice-checker findings → Line editing phase
2. continuity-checker findings → Copy editing phase
3. outline-checker findings → Developmental phase
4. timeline-checker findings → Copy editing phase
5. prose-checker findings → Line editing and polish phases

---

Bundled Resources

references/

• developmental-checklist.md — Full developmental editing guide
• line-editing-guide.md — Prose improvement techniques
• copy-editing-standards.md — Grammar and style rules
• polish-techniques.md — Final refinement methods

scripts/

• init_edit.py — Initialize editing project
• save_edit.py — Save editing progress
• compile_edited.py — Generate final manuscript
• diff_report.py — Generate change report