A story guide template built around continuity

Core story guide sections

Begin with a one-paragraph premise and the current ending direction. These are not marketing copy; they are the reference promise that helps you notice when the developing book has changed. Then add the recurring entities whose details create continuity obligations.

For each entry, include an evidence field: the scene or chapter where the fact becomes true. A reference without provenance is difficult to trust after several rounds of revision.

• Premise, themes, and ending direction
• Character wants, needs, arcs, voice, and relationships
• Locations, institutions, objects, and world rules
• Timeline, backstory, plot threads, setups, and payoffs

Character and location records

A character entry should prioritize what shapes action: role, goal, need, belief, arc direction, distinctive voice, important relationships, and continuity details that recur. Add scene appearances rather than a biography that never reaches the page.

A location entry should record sensory anchors, physical constraints, access, history that affects the plot, and changes over time. If a detail cannot alter a scene or prevent a contradiction, it may not need a permanent field.

Timeline and thread records

Timeline entries should distinguish story chronology from the order in which the reader receives information. That separation is essential for mysteries, flashbacks, parallel viewpoints, and any narrative that delays a reveal.

A thread entry should state the reader expectation, not only the topic. Record the setup, meaningful development, and payoff scenes so the final revision can identify promises that disappeared or answers that no longer have support.