# PlotDirector Plot Lines Redesign Specification

## Purpose

The primary purpose of Plot Lines within PlotDirector is not simply to visualise story structure.

The core purpose is to:
- Track narrative promises made to the reader.
- Prevent important plot threads from being forgotten.
- Ensure all major story threads receive appropriate payoff.
- Help authors identify unresolved, neglected, abandoned, or weak plot lines.
- Provide a visual representation of how the story evolves over time.

Visualisation is important, but it exists to support this objective.

## Core Philosophy

A Plot Line represents:

> A question, conflict, objective, mystery, relationship, or narrative promise that the reader expects to see progress and eventually receive a payoff.

If a reader would reasonably expect an answer or outcome, a Plot Line should exist.

## Plot Line Types

Replace "Main Plot" with Plot Importance:

### Primary
Major narrative threads driving the story.
There may be multiple Primary Plot Lines.

### Secondary
Supporting narrative threads.

### Minor
Short-term or supporting arcs.

## Plot Line Properties

### Required Fields
- Plot Line Name
- Importance (Primary / Secondary / Minor)
- Scope (Book / Series / Project)
- Colour
- Description

### Optional Fields
- Emerges From Plot Line
- Visible on Timeline

## Plot Events

Plot events drive all structural changes.

### Event Types
- Start
- Progress
- Reveal
- Twist
- Branch
- Split
- Merge
- Resolve
- Abandon

### Branch
A new plot line emerges while the original continues.

Source continues.
Target begins.

### Split
An existing plot line ends and becomes two or more independent threads.

Source terminates.
Targets begin.

### Merge
Two or more plot lines combine into a single thread.

Sources terminate.
Target continues.

### Resolve
The plot line concludes.

Resolution without consequence should be questioned.

## Timeline Rendering

- Scene columns remain the foundation.
- All plot events align to the centre of their scene.
- Use SVG overlays rather than CSS borders.
- Draw:
  - Horizontal paths
  - Curved merge connectors
  - Curved branch connectors
  - Split connectors
  - Event nodes

## Plot Event Symbols

- Progress: ●
- Reveal: ★
- Twist: ◆
- Branch: ╲
- Split: ╱╲
- Merge: ◎
- Resolve: ◉
- Abandon: ✕

## Plot Line States

### Active
- Solid line
- Full colour

### Neglected
Criteria:
- No progress for configurable number of scenes (default 10)

Display:
- Dashed line
- Slight fade
- Warning indicator

Purpose:
- Highlight potentially forgotten threads.

### Resolved
- Greyed out
- Reduced emphasis

### Resolved Without Consequence
Allowed for:
- Red herrings
- Minor thematic threads

Display:
- Yellow tint
- Question indicator

Purpose:
- Encourage authors to verify the thread genuinely belongs.

### Abandoned
- Red styling
- Cross marker

Purpose:
- Highlight potentially unsatisfactory narrative outcomes.

## Story Health Analytics

### Forgotten Plot Thread
Criteria:
- Active plot line
- No events for X scenes

Warning:
"Potentially forgotten plot thread."

### Dangling Plot Thread
Criteria:
- Unresolved at manuscript end

Warning:
"Plot thread remains unresolved."

### Questionable Resolution
Criteria:
- Resolved without merge
- Resolved without obvious consequence

Warning:
"Verify this thread provides sufficient payoff."

### Abandoned Plot Thread
Criteria:
- Explicitly abandoned

Warning:
"This plot line may disappoint readers."

### Dominant Plot Thread
Criteria:
- Appears in unusually high percentage of scenes

Purpose:
- Identify de facto primary plot lines.

## Guiding Principle

PlotDirector should help authors answer:

- What promises have I made?
- Have I progressed them?
- Have I forgotten them?
- Have I delivered a satisfying payoff?

The visual timeline should make these answers immediately obvious.
