# Style Guide

## Narrative voice

### Point of view
- [ ] First person
- [ ] Third person limited (focused on: _______)
- [ ] Third person omniscient
- [ ] Multiple POV (specify characters: _______)

### Tense
- Primary tense: [e.g., past simple / present]
- Secondary tenses: [e.g., past perfect for flashbacks]

### Narrator tone
[Describe: distant/intimate, serious/playful, formal/casual]

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## Language & vocabulary

### Register
[Formal / Standard / Casual / Childlike / Archaic]

### Era-appropriate language
- Target era: [e.g., 1950s France]
- Forbidden modern terms: [list words to avoid]
- Encouraged vocabulary: [list preferred words]

### Expressions & interjections
[List characteristic expressions for this style]
- Example: "Par exemple !"
- Example: "Fichtre !"

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## Sentence structure

### Average length
- Target: [e.g., 15-25 words per sentence]
- Maximum: [e.g., 40 words]

### Complexity
- [ ] Simple sentences preferred
- [ ] Compound sentences allowed
- [ ] Complex nested clauses allowed

### Rhythm
[Describe: punchy/flowing, varied/consistent]

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## Paragraphs & chapters

### Paragraph length
- Average: [e.g., 3-5 sentences]
- Maximum: [e.g., 8 sentences]

### Chapter length
- Target: [e.g., 2000-3000 words]
- Structure: [describe typical chapter arc]

### Chapter endings
- [ ] Cliffhangers required
- [ ] Questions/mystery hooks
- [ ] Soft transitions allowed

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## Dialogue

### Formatting
- Quotation style: [« » / " " / other]
- Attribution style: [before/after, said-bookisms allowed?]

### Tags
Preferred dialogue tags:
- [e.g., dit, répondit, murmura, s'écria]

Forbidden:
- [e.g., vociféra, rétorqua]

### Balance
- Dialogue to prose ratio: [e.g., 40% dialogue]

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## Description

### Sensory details
Priority senses: [e.g., visual > auditory > tactile]

### Length
- Scene setting: [brief/moderate/elaborate]
- Character description: [minimal/detailed]
- Action sequences: [sparse/rich]

### Techniques
- [ ] Similes encouraged
- [ ] Metaphors encouraged
- [ ] Personification allowed
- [ ] Lists/enumerations style: [in-sentence / bullet-style]

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## Tone & mood

### Overall tone
[Describe: adventurous, cozy, dark, humorous, etc.]

### Emotional range
[What emotions should be present/absent]

### Humor style
[Describe if applicable: slapstick, wit, irony, none]

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## Forbidden elements

### Content
- [List any forbidden themes or content]

### Style
- [List stylistic elements to avoid]

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## Reference excerpts

> [Paste 2-3 paragraphs that exemplify the target style]

> [Another example]
