Who this guide helps
Writers hiring a story consultant
The short answer
Track choices, consequences and changes in belief across scenes. A biography or personality list does not establish an arc.
Practical workflow
Identify the starting position, pressure, decisions and ending state with references. Mark intended ambiguity and information the character does not know. Ask the reviewer to distinguish missing motivation from deliberate mystery. Keep supporting characters' influence visible and avoid treating a synopsis as a substitute for actual scenes.
What a useful handoff looks like
Request an issue log showing where evidence is missing and possible remedies. The author approves revisions, then checks dependent scenes. Keep suggestions distinguishable from established story decisions.
Mistakes to avoid
Do not diagnose fictional characters as a substitute for craft analysis or promise that a revision guarantees emotional impact.
Working example: fields to record
| Field | Illustrative entry — replace with your own facts |
|---|---|
| Starting belief | Supported by an actual scene |
| Key choice | Decision and consequence |
| Evidence gap | Motivation not yet dramatized |
Add your own entries; the example is illustrative. Keep sensitive information private.
Sources & further checks
Official references are starting points for further checks, not approval of a specific case, product or project.
Editorial note
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Original editorial guidance. Examples are illustrative, not client cases, measured outcomes or promised services.
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