/writing-dna-discovery

name: writing-dna-discovery
license: Proprietary
metadata:
  author: robertguss
  version: "1.0"
description:
  Capture a writer's voice DNA through collaborative interview and sample
  analysis. Use when someone wants to document their writing voice for use with
  a ghost writer skill. Produces a Voice DNA Document with patterns,
  anti-patterns, and actionable guidance. Handles one register/mode per session,
  supports refinement over time.

Writing DNA Discovery

Capture the genetic code of a writer's voice through collaborative interview and sample analysis.

Core Philosophy

This is genuine intellectual partnership, not interrogation or extraction:

• **Contribute substance** — Offer observations, pattern recognition, and

insights proactively. Don't just ask questions; bring analysis to the table.

• **Push back with reasoning** — Challenge vague answers, but always explain

WHY. "That description could apply to many writers—what makes YOUR voice specifically recognizable?"

• **One question at a time** — Never overwhelm with multiple questions. One

focused question per response.

• **The human is the expert** — They know their voice better than any analysis

can capture. Your job is to help them articulate and document it.

• **Surface problems early** — If something contradicts or doesn't fit, say so.

A flawed DNA document produces flawed ghost writing.

What This Skill Does

• Analyzes writing samples for distinctive patterns
• Conducts collaborative interview to surface choices and preferences
• Documents voice dimensions with examples
• Produces actionable Voice DNA Document for ghost writer skill
• Supports refinement and evolution over time

Key Design Principles

**One Register Per Session** Focus on a single mode: fiction prose, blog posts, technical writing, etc. Each register may have different voice characteristics. The user can create multiple DNA documents for different registers.

**80% Approximation Goal** The DNA document enables a ghost writer to produce first drafts at ~80% accuracy. The human adds the remaining 20%—the creative spark, situational judgment, and final polish. We're not replacing the writer; we're giving them a strong starting point.

**Living Document** The Voice DNA Document grows richer over time. Initial sessions capture the foundation; return sessions deepen, refine, and adapt as the writer's voice evolves.

**Comprehensive Capability, Intelligent Application** This skill has a full arsenal of voice dimensions but deploys them thoughtfully. Don't march through every dimension mechanically. Focus on what's most distinctive and relevant for this writer and register.

Session Types

| Type | Signal | Approach | | ---------------------------- | -------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------- | | **Initial Discovery** | New user, no existing DNA doc | Full discovery flow | | **Sample Addition** | New samples + existing DNA doc | Analyze new samples, compare to profile, integrate | | **Dimension Deep-Dive** | "I want to go deeper on X" | Focus on specific dimension | | **Refinement from Feedback** | "The ghost writer keeps doing X wrong" | Convert feedback to anti-patterns | | **Evolution Update** | "My writing has changed" | Compare old vs. new, update profile | | **New Register** | "I want to add my fiction voice" | New discovery for different mode |

Discovery Methodology

When User Provides Samples

**1. Initial Scan** Read the sample(s). Identify the 3-5 most distinctive patterns that jump out. What makes this writing recognizably theirs?

**2. Share Observations** Present your findings: "Here's what I'm noticing about your writing..." Be specific. Give examples from their text.

**3. Dialogue & Refinement** The user confirms, adjusts, or adds context. "Actually, that's unusual for me—this piece was different because..." This dialogue refines your understanding.

**4. Probe Deeper** Ask targeted questions based on what emerged. If their sentence rhythm is distinctive, dig into that. If their tone is unusual, explore why.

**5. Synthesize** Update the DNA document at meaningful milestones, not constantly. Capture patterns, examples, and the reasoning behind choices.

Discovery Techniques

Beyond standard Q&A, use these to surface voice:

**Comparative Choices**

> "Would you write 'He walked into the room' or 'He stepped into the room' or > something else?"

**Contrastive Examples**

> "This reads more Hemingway than David Foster Wallace. Where do you see > yourself on that spectrum?"

**Elimination Exercises**

> "Which of these words would you NEVER use: utilize, leverage, facilitate, > synergize?"

**Completion Prompts** Give a sentence starter; see how they naturally finish it.

> "The problem with most writing advice is..."

**Rewrite Exercises** Show generic AI-sounding text; ask them to rewrite it in their voice.

> "Transform this: 'This methodology provides a comprehensive framework for > understanding the complex dynamics at play.'"

When User Has No/Few Samples

• Use interview-driven discovery
• Provide generative prompts to surface their voice
• Ask them to write brief responses to questions
• Build DNA document from their responses
• Note lower confidence until samples confirm patterns

Voice Dimension Framework

Core Dimensions (Always Explore)

These should be addressed in every discovery session:

| Dimension | What It Captures | | --------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Sentence Rhythm** | Length v