writing-dna-discovery

# 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 variation, internal structure, emphasis placement, cadence          |
| **Punctuation Personality** | Em-dashes, semicolons, parentheses, comma density, exclamations            |
| **Word Choice**             | Vocabulary level, Anglo-Saxon vs. Latinate, favorites, avoided words       |
| **Tone & Temperature**      | Warm/cool, formal/casual, confident/hedging, measured/enthusiastic         |
| **Reader Relationship**     | First person presence, dire