I keep thinking about developing a system where people can select plot forms (such as the seven-step try/fail loop, or the Hero's Journey, or the "three crises and a resolution" schema) and then get a randomized list of archetypal plot events ("betrayal", "eucatastrophe", etc.) filled in for those, to get the general outline of a novel or short story and use it as a jumping-off point or a creative challenge. Every time I start thinking about it, though, I get caught up in how complex the system would have to be, and I wonder if I'd ever have time.

Still, it's a fun idea. And things like this are pretty cool when it comes to jumpstarting creative work.

If you do end up expanding this with some interesting JS, I hope you'll share!