The 13 AI modes guide

WritersRoom offers 13 specialised AI modes, each optimised for a different stage of the writing process. Switching modes changes how the AI interprets your requests and what kind of help it prioritises — without ever losing project context or your calibrated voice.

Modes are organised into six phases that match the natural arc of creative development: Development → Structure → Character → Writing → Revision → Pitching. You can switch modes at any time.

Mode-by-mode guide

Development Partner

When to use: Any time — this is the best all-round mode for open exploration. What it does: Broad creative thinking, concept development, problem-solving. The AI engages as an experienced development executive who knows your project deeply. Example prompt: "I'm not sure whether the protagonist's flaw should be cowardice or self-deception. Walk me through the implications of each."

Premise Stress Test

When to use: After you've landed on a concept but before committing significant development time. What it does: Challenges your premise aggressively — pokes at logic gaps, market positioning problems, character motivation flaws, and audience resistance points. Example prompt: "Stress test this premise: a disgraced marine biologist discovers an undocumented species in the Mariana Trench that may be sentient."

Outline Architect

When to use: When you're ready to structure the story — you have character and premise, now you need architecture. What it does: Maps three-act or multi-act structure, plants turning points, sequences scenes into a coherent arc. Works with both traditional and non-linear structures. Example prompt: "Help me structure the second act. The inciting incident is X, the midpoint is Y, but I can't find a strong Act 2 break."

Series Bible

When to use: Developing episodic content — TV series, limited series, serialised podcasts. What it does: Builds world rules, establishes mythology, defines ensemble dynamics and long-arc trajectories, organises season-level planning. Example prompt: "Help me establish the rules of our world — what can and can't happen in this universe, and why audiences should trust the logic."

Episode Arc

When to use: After you have your series bible — planning individual episodes or episode blocks. What it does: Structures A/B/C story lines per episode, balances episodic vs. serial, maps episode-by-episode beats across a season. Example prompt: "Map out a 6-episode arc where the main storyline escalates while each episode has a self-contained emotional payoff."

Character Map

When to use: When a character feels flat, inconsistent, or when you need to understand how your ensemble interacts. What it does: Deep dives into psychology, motivation, contradiction, wound, want vs. need, and relational dynamics. Works best alongside Character Web. Example prompt: "Dig into Maya's psychology. She's lying to her family and I need to understand exactly what she's protecting and why she believes she has no choice."

Scene Strategy

When to use: Before writing a specific scene — planning the engine that drives it. What it does: Analyses the function of the scene in the story, identifies the best entry point, determines the emotional arc within the scene, and plans the exit. Example prompt: "I need to write the scene where they find the body. What's the best way to structure the tension and what should change in the relationship before they leave the room?"

Dialogue Pass

When to use: On written scenes where the dialogue feels functional but not alive. What it does: Refines dialogue for character voice, subtext, overlap, rhythm, and wit — without altering the meaning or plot function. Example prompt: "Run a dialogue pass on this exchange. The characters are too on-the-nose — I need the subtext to do the work, not the words."

Continuity Guardian

When to use: As you build — a running logic check throughout the development process. What it does: Cross-references your project memory, character decisions, and established world rules with your current scene or question. Flags contradictions before they become structural problems. Example prompt: "I want Marcus to know about the tunnel in Act 3 but I'm not sure I ever established how he found out — check my memory and flag any gaps."

Voice Keeper

When to use: When you've been writing for a while and you're not sure whether you're still sounding like yourself. What it does: Analyses the current passage against your VitaeMe voice profile and established tone, identifying drift in register, vocabulary, pacing, or tonal consistency. Example prompt: "Is this passage in my voice? I wrote it fast and I'm not sure it sounds like the rest of the draft."

Continuity Audit

When to use: Before sharing a draft — a focused final technical pass. What it does: A structured review of factual accuracy, timeline consistency, character detail consistency, anachronisms, and craft-level errors. More rigorous and systematic than Continuity Guardian. Example prompt: "Run a continuity audit on the attached draft. I want to know every factual gap, logic break, and character inconsistency before this goes out."

Pitch Packager

When to use: When your project is ready to pitch and you need materials. What it does: Drafts loglines, one-pagers, pitch openings, elevator pitches, and network/producer-specific framings using your project memory. Example prompt: "Write three logline variations — one that leads with character, one that leads with concept, and one that leads with the world."

GreenLight Preparer

When to use: When you're ready to run a GreenLight campaign. What it does: Packages your project for audience testing — refines your test questions, writes the campaign summary, and produces the best possible first impression for a cold audience. Example prompt: "Help me design test questions that will tell me whether audiences are confused about the premise or simply not connecting emotionally."