Chapter Template
Use this template when creating a new chapter file at chapters/chapter-{NN}.md.
---
title: "{Chapter Title}"
number: {N}
pov: {character-kebab}
locations:
- {location-kebab}
characters:
- {character-kebab}
mentions:
- {referenced-character-kebab}
arcs-advanced:
- {arc-kebab}
status: {outline|draft|revised|final|complete}
date: {YYYY-MM-DD}
time: "{HH:MM}"
hook: {cliffhanger|question|revelation|reversal|decision|emotional|resolution}
word-count: {N}
---date and time are the chapter's place on the story clock, in the same formats as scene records (see scene-template.md); set them when the chapter has no scene records, since story timeline and the clock checks in story continuity skip undated chapters and scenes.
hook is optional but expected once a chapter is drafted: it records how the chapter ends. story pacing warns about drafted chapters with no hook and about three or more consecutive chapters ending on resolution.
characters lists characters present in the chapter's scenes. mentions is optional and lists characters who are only referenced, remembered, recorded, or seen in flashback - including deceased characters, so story continuity does not flag them as posthumous appearances.
Outline
Beat-by-beat outline approved before writing:
- {Beat 1 - what happens, what it accomplishes}
- {Beat 2}
- {Beat 3} ...
Arc beats advanced: {Which plot points this chapter hits} Foreshadowing planted: {Any setups placed} Foreshadowing paid off: {Any earlier setups resolved}
Chapter Text
{Full prose goes here}