Introduction
# Story Cog - Storytelling Powered by CellCog
Create compelling stories with AI - from short fiction to novels to screenplays to immersive worlds.
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## Prerequisites
This skill requires the `cellcog` skill for SDK setup and API calls.
```bash clawhub install cellcog ```
**Read the cellcog skill first** for SDK setup. This skill shows you what's possible.
**Quick pattern (v1.0+):** ```python # Fire-and-forget - returns immediately result = client.create_chat( prompt="[your story request]", notify_session_key="agent:main:main", task_label="story-creation", chat_mode="agent" # Agent mode for most stories ) # Daemon notifies you when complete - do NOT poll ```
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## What Stories You Can Create
### Short Fiction
Complete short stories:
- **Flash Fiction**: "Write a 500-word horror story that ends with a twist" - **Short Stories**: "Create a 3,000-word sci-fi story about first contact" - **Micro Fiction**: "Write a complete story in exactly 100 words" - **Anthology Pieces**: "Create a short story for a cyberpunk anthology"
**Example prompt:** > "Write a 2,000-word short story: > > Genre: Magical realism > Setting: A small Japanese village with a mysterious tea shop > Theme: Grief and healing > > The protagonist discovers that the tea shop owner can brew memories into tea. > > Tone: Melancholic but hopeful. Studio Ghibli meets Haruki Murakami."
### Novel Development
Long-form fiction support:
- **Novel Outlines**: "Create a detailed outline for a fantasy trilogy" - **Chapter Drafts**: "Write Chapter 1 of my mystery novel" - **Character Arcs**: "Develop the protagonist's arc across a 3-act structure" - **Plot Development**: "Help me work through a plot hole in my thriller"
**Example prompt:** > "Create a detailed outline for a YA fantasy novel: > > Concept: A magic school where students' powers are tied to their fears > Protagonist: 16-year-old who's afraid of being forgotten > Antagonist: Former student whose fear consumed them > > Include: > - Three-act structure > - Major plot points > - Character arcs for 4 main characters > - Magic system explanation > - Potential sequel hooks"
### Screenwriting
Scripts for film and TV:
- **Feature Scripts**: "Write the first 10 pages of a heist movie" - **TV Pilots**: "Create a pilot script for a workplace comedy" - **Short Films**: "Write a 10-minute short film script about loneliness" - **Scene Writing**: "Write the confrontation scene between hero and villain"
**Example prompt:** > "Write a cold open for a TV drama pilot: > > Show concept: Medical thriller set in a hospital hiding dark secrets > Tone: Tense, mysterious, hook the audience immediately > > The scene should: > - Introduce the hospital setting > - Hint at something wrong without revealing it > - End on a moment that makes viewers need to know more > > Format: Standard screenplay format"
### Fan Fiction
Stories in existing universes:
- **Continuations**: "Write a story set after the events of [series]" - **Alternate Universes**: "Create an AU where [character] made a different choice" - **Crossovers**: "Write a crossover between [universe A] and [universe B]" - **Missing Scenes**: "Write the scene that happened between [event A] and [event B]"
### World Building
Create immersive settings:
- **Fantasy Worlds**: "Design a complete magic system for my novel" - **Sci-Fi Settings**: "Create the political structure of a galactic empire" - **Historical Fiction**: "Research and outline 1920s Paris for my novel" - **Mythology**: "Create a pantheon of gods for my fantasy world"
**Example prompt:** > "Build a complete world for a steampunk fantasy: > > Core concept: Victorian era where magic is industrialized > > I need: > - Geography (3 major nations) > - Magic system and its limitations > - Social structure and conflicts > - Key historical events > - Major factions and their goals > - Technology level and aesthetics > - 5 interesting locations with descriptions"
### Character Development
Deep character work:
- **Character Bibles**: "Create a complete character bible for my protagonist" - **Backstories**: "Write the backstory of my villain" - **Dialogue Voice**: "Help me develop a unique voice for this character" - **Relationships**: "Map out the relationships between my ensemble cast"
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## Story Genres
| Genre | Characteristics | CellCog Strengths | |-------|-----------------|-------------------| | **Fantasy** | Magic, world building, epic scope | Deep world creation, consistent magic systems | | **Sci-Fi** | Technology, speculation, ideas | Hard science integration, future extrapolation | | **Mystery/Thriller** | Suspense, clues, twists | Plot structure, misdirection, pacing | | **Romance** | Emotional depth, relationships | Character chemistry, emotional beats | | **Horror** | Fear, atmosphere, dread | Tension building, psychological depth | | **Literary** | Theme, style, meaning | Nuanced prose, thematic depth |
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## Chat Mode for Stories
| Scenario | Recommended Mode | |----------|------------------| | Short stories, scenes, character work, outlines | `"agent"` | | Complex narratives, novel development, deep world building | `"agent team"` |
**Use `"agent"` for most creative writing.** Short stories, individual scenes, and character development execute well in agent mode.
**Use `"agent team"` for narrative complexity** - novel-length outlines, intricate plot development, or multi-layered world building that benefits from deep thinking.
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## Example Prompts
**Complete short story:** > "Write a complete 2,500-word science fiction short story: > > Title: 'The Last Upload' > Concept: In a world where consciousness can be uploaded, one person chooses to be the last to die naturally > > Structure: Non-linear, moving between their final day and key memories > Tone: Philosophical, bittersweet > > End with an ambiguous moment that makes readers question their own choice."
**Character development:** > "Create a complete character bible for a morally complex antagonist: > > Setting: Modern political thriller > Role: Senator who believes they're saving the country through corrupt means > > Include: > - Detailed backstory (childhood, formative events) > - Psychology (fears, desires, defense mechanisms) > - Relationships (family, allies, enemies) > - Speech patterns and mannerisms > - Their 'truth' they tell themselves > - What would make them change"
**World building:** > "Design the magic system for a fantasy novel: > > Constraints: > - Magic has a real cost (not just tiredness) > - Some people are born with it, some earn it > - It should enable interesting conflicts > > I need: > - How magic works mechanically > - Its limitations and costs > - How society treats magic users > - How it's learned/controlled > - 5 example uses (combat, utility, creative) > - Potential for abuse and safeguards"
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## Tips for Better Stories
1. **Genre expectations**: Readers have expectations. Honor them or subvert them intentionally, but know what they are.
2. **Character drives plot**: Give CellCog clear character motivations. Plot emerges from characters wanting things.
3. **Specific details**: "A coffee shop" is generic. "A coffee shop with mismatched furniture and a cat named Hemingway" is memorable.
4. **Emotional truth**: Even in fantasy, the emotions should feel real. Specify the emotional journey you want.
5. **Show, don't tell**: Ask for scenes, not summaries. "Write the moment she realizes..." not "Describe that she was sad."
6. **Iterate**: First drafts are starting points. Use CellCog to revise, expand, and refine.