Editing Research/Fiction Writing/Story Beats (section)

== Beat audit methodology for a manuscript ==
=== Step 1: Create a beat inventory ===
For each chapter or scene, record:
* POV character
* Location/time
* Scene goal
* Conflict/opposition
* New information
* Value at stake
* Beginning value
* Ending value
* Crisis choice
* Consequence
* Hook to next scene
* Word count
=== Step 2: Map macro structure ===
Mark approximate word-count percentages:
* 0–10% opening/setup
* 10–15% inciting incident
* 20–25% first plot point
* 45–55% midpoint
* 70–80% second plot point / low point / Act III entry
* 85–95% climax
* final pages resolution
Do not force exact percentages, but investigate major deviations.
=== Step 3: Check causality ===
For every scene, ask:
* Did previous scene cause this scene?
* Does this scene force the next scene?
* If this scene were removed, what would break?
Scenes that do not cause anything are candidates for compression or deletion.
=== Step 4: Check value shifts ===
Every scene should shift at least one value:
* safety → danger
* ignorance → knowledge
* hope → despair
* intimacy → distance
* freedom → constraint
* power → vulnerability
* false belief → doubt
* public mask → exposed truth
Flat scenes may still be useful for atmosphere, but too many create drag.
=== Step 5: Check escalation ===
Escalation can be:
* higher stakes
* narrower options
* greater cost
* more personal consequences
* stronger antagonist pressure
* deeper internal contradiction
* harder moral choice
* irreversible commitment
If the middle repeats the same pressure, add new kinds of trouble.
=== Step 6: Check character arc alignment ===
For each major structural beat, identify internal movement:
* Opening: lie appears to work.
* Inciting: lie is challenged.
* First Plot Point: protagonist commits using old strategy.
* Midpoint: old strategy partly fails or is reinterpreted.
* Low point: lie produces worst consequence.
* Climax: protagonist chooses lie or truth under pressure.
* Resolution: consequence of that choice.
=== Step 7: Produce revision actions ===
Each weak beat should produce one of these actions:
* '''CUT''' — beat does not change anything.
* '''COMBINE''' — two scenes perform one function.
* '''MOVE''' — beat exists but appears too early/late.
* '''SHARPEN''' — goal, stakes, crisis, or consequence unclear.
* '''ESCALATE''' — pressure insufficient.
* '''REVERSE''' — midpoint/turn lacks surprise or reorientation.
* '''PLANT''' — payoff lacks setup.
* '''PAY OFF''' — setup lacks consequence.
* '''INTERNALIZE''' — external event lacks character meaning.
* '''EXTERNALIZE''' — internal realization lacks dramatic action.