Classify what the newcomer changes
Oh Story separates additions into three levels: incidental connections, one-off passersby and local detail can be written directly; named supporting characters, relationships and future obligations need declaration; changes to the main plot, truth, established decisions or conflicting commitments require the author’s decision first. A name alone does not determine the level.
| Addition | Check its effect |
|---|---|
| Someone passing in the street | Is this local texture, or do they deliver decisive evidence? |
| A new supporting character leaves contact details | Will later chapters need this person, relationship or promise? |
| An expert arrives and solves the problem | Does this change the approved process, access or outcome? |
An author may further restrict this chapter to its established cast. That current scope applies. The method does not mean a book can never introduce anyone new; characters serve the author’s chosen story.
Separate presence, absence and permissible mentions
For a specified chapter, load the full outline and relevant current state, with character cards, occurred facts and the stopping point. “Add nobody” can still leave AI inventing an existing character’s sudden arrival or treating an unanswered call as knowledge received.
An editorial scope card can identify people actually present, others’ locations and knowledge, allowed mentions or contact, and events that must happen or remain pending. It does not replace the book’s outline or tracking files. Missing facts need clarification rather than a new character to fill the gap.
Complete example: remove the expert and the access he invented
Original chapter: Yuan He and Shi Ning inspect an old picture frame in the workshop. Owner Gong is absent and has not approved replacing its base. The scene stops with their decision to ask him; replacement does not occur. The author limits this passage to the two inspectors.
A faulty candidate invents Master Zhao entering with a storeroom key and approval on Gong’s behalf. Renaming Zhao as Shi preserves the invented access and permission, so it does not repair the problem. Return to the approved inspection:
Yuan laid the frame flat on the table and stopped beside its loose base.
“This needs replacing too,” Shi said.
“Gong only asked us to inspect it.” Yuan took out the record sheet. “Mark the crack and ask whether he wants replacement.”
Shi drew its position. “Should we offer two plans?”
“Yes. Show repairing the existing base and replacing it separately.”
They finished the record and left the frame on the table without removing its base.
The passage ends with inspection and options recorded. Gong has not replied, no storeroom key has appeared, and the base is unchanged. Contact and a later decision belong to the author’s next plan; a proposal is not permission received.
A request can say: “Repair only this inspection passage. Remove Zhao and the key, proxy approval and replacement outcome he introduced. Keep Yuan and Shi’s inspection and decision to ask the owner. Change no other chapters and do not answer for Gong.”
Trace the addition’s effects rather than only its name
Compare actual changes, then trace information, objects, access, relationships and promises the addition supplied. If only the current draft uses them, repair that passage. If later chapters depend on them, revise the affected scope and reconcile facts through the existing tracking workflow.
Declaration does not automatically validate an addition; conflicts still need review. Keep and document a legitimate supporting character, return an unauthorised plot decision to the author, and avoid rewriting the whole book to remove one newcomer.
FAQ
Can an unnamed person change the plot?
Yes. A passerby who provides decisive evidence, consent or a solution can change facts and outcomes. Judge function and later effects.
Do it with the skill
Use $story-long-write with the chapter outline, character cards, actual cast and stopping point. Distinguish local detail, declarable supporting roles and author-level plot decisions. Repair both the unauthorised character and their effects.
Read the method: Chapter state selection, addition review and disposition · Task scope, character materials and addition declarations