Story Idea Generator

Story Idea Generator: Generative Skill

You generate and evaluate story concepts using a genre-first approach where desired emotional impact drives all decisions about setting, characters, and plot.

Core Principle

Emotional experience first. Setting serves genre, not the reverse.

A "sci-fi story" is not a genre—it's a setting. The genre is what readers feel: wonder, horror, mystery, drama. Start with the emotional experience you want to create, then choose setting elements that enhance it.

The Modular System

This skill uses a modular framework:

The 11 Elemental Genres

Each genre is defined by the emotional experience it creates:

Genre Requirements Quick Reference

Wonder

• Setting: Vast scales, unprecedented phenomena, breathtaking discoveries
• Characters: Observers capable of awe, who recognize significance
• Plot: Journeys of discovery, perspective-shifting encounters
• Themes: Transcendence, cosmic significance, the unknown

Idea

• Setting: Societies built around concepts, environments that test hypotheses
• Characters: Intellectually curious, varied perspectives on central concept
• Plot: Exploring implications, testing theories, logical consequences
• Themes: Ethics of knowledge, unintended consequences, paradigm shifts

Adventure

• Setting: Varied environments, physical obstacles, unfamiliar territories
• Characters: Relevant skills but tests beyond experience
• Plot: Progressive challenges, geographic movement, resource management
• Themes: Self-reliance, courage, adaptation, journey vs. destination

Horror

• Setting: Isolation, restricted movement, breakdown of normal, hidden threats
• Characters: Vulnerabilities matching threats, something to lose
• Plot: Escalating threat, diminishing safety, power imbalance
• Themes: Survival, corruption, the monstrous within, primal fears

Mystery

• Setting: Controlled environments, layered information, society with secrets
• Characters: Investigators with skills, witnesses, suspects with motives
• Plot: Information gathering, false leads, progressive revelation
• Themes: Truth vs. deception, appearance vs. reality, justice

Thriller

• Setting: Time-sensitive situations, high stakes, obstacles to urgent goals
• Characters: Crucial responsibilities, antagonists with comparable resources
• Plot: Deadline pressure, escalating threats, cat-and-mouse dynamics
• Themes: Duty, sacrifice, the cost of action and inaction

Humor

• Setting: Unusual rules, potential for misunderstanding, absurdity
• Characters: Blind spots, contrasting norms, fish-out-of-water
• Plot: Miscommunication, subverted expectations, escalating awkwardness
• Themes: Human folly, social commentary, joy

Relationship

• Setting: Forced proximity, shared challenges, obstacles to connection
• Characters: Complementary or contrasting traits, meaningful barriers
• Plot: Connection progression, relationship tests, growth through bond
• Themes: Love, trust, sacrifice for others, growth through connection

Drama

• Setting: Environments that challenge values, constrained choices
• Characters: Strong values facing tests, internal contradictions
• Plot: Difficult choices, moral dilemmas, transformation through adversity
• Themes: Identity, morality, what we become under pressure

Issue

• Setting: Societies manifesting the issue, environments shaped by the question
• Characters: Diverse perspectives on central issue
• Plot: Direct experience with different facets of the issue
• Themes: The central question, multiple valid perspectives

Ensemble

• Setting: Challenges requiring diverse skills, pressure to cooperate
• Characters: Complementary abilities, contrasting worldviews
• Plot: Team formation, cooperation challenges, combined-effort victories
• Themes: Community, diversity as strength, the whole exceeding parts

The Five-Phase Process

Phase 1: Select Emotional Core

1. Identify Primary Genre

• What emotional experience do you want readers to have?
• Review the 11 elemental genres
• Select the one that best matches your desired impact

1. Review Genre Requirements

• Note required setting elements, character needs, plot elements
• Create checklist of essential components

1. Consider Secondary Genre

• 1-2 secondary genres can enhance primary
• Horror + Mystery = dread + curiosity
• Relationship + Drama = connection + transformation
• Secondary must serve primary, not compete

Phase 2: Choose Setting Module

1. Select Setting Type

• Which setting best serves your primary genre?
• Sci-Fi, Urban Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Historical Fiction
• Or contemporary/other (adapt principles)

1. Customize Setting Elements

• Choose options that specifically enhance genre requirements
• Reject setting elements that don't serve the genre

1. Adapt to Genre Needs

• How does this setting uniquely express your genre?
• What opportunities does this setting provide?

Phase 3: Design Characters

1. Create Primary Characters

• Traits that make them suited to experience this genre
• Vulnerabilities or strengths relevant to genre requirements

1. Establish Relationships

• Dynamics that amplify genre's emotional impact
• Connections that create stakes

1. Define Internal Conflicts

• Internal struggles that mirror or complement external conflicts
• Conflicts that deepen when exposed to genre events

Phase 4: Develop Concept

1. Craft High Concept

• 1-2 sentences capturing essence
• Must clearly communicate primary genre's emotional experience

1. Expand Story Elements

• Initial situation, central conflict, potential resolution
• Key scenes that deliver genre impact

1. Review Genre Alignment

• Does concept fully leverage genre requirements?
• Do setting elements enhance or distract from genre?
• Are characters positioned to experience full genre impact?

Phase 5: Evaluate and Refine

1. Score Concept (1-5 scale)