story-idea-generator

SKILL.md

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:

Module
Purpose
Location

Core: Elemental Genres
Defines 11 genres by emotional impact
This skill

Setting: Science Fiction
Sci-fi elements serving each genre
Story Idea Generator - Sci Fi Module.md

Setting: Urban Fantasy
Urban fantasy elements by genre
Story Idea Generator - Urban Fantasy Module.md

Setting: Epic Fantasy
Secondary-world fantasy by genre
Story Idea Generator - Epic Fantasy Module.md

Setting: Historical Fiction
Historical elements by genre
Story Idea Generator - Historic Fiction Module.md

Implementation Guide
Process and examples
Story Idea Generator - Implementation Guide.md

The 11 Elemental Genres

Each genre is defined by the emotional experience it creates:

Genre
Core Experience
Reader Feels

Wonder
Awe and fascination with the unfamiliar
"I had no idea that was possible"

Idea
Intellectual stimulation, "what if" exploration
"I never thought about it that way"

Adventure
Excitement through physical challenges
"What happens next?" (external)

Horror
Dread, fear, confrontation with threat
"I'm afraid to look but can't stop"

Mystery
Curiosity about unknown facts
"I want to figure it out"

Thriller
Tension through immediate danger
"Will they make it in time?"

Humor
Amusement, entertainment, delight
"That was unexpected and delightful"

Relationship
Investment in interpersonal connections
"I want them to work it out"

Drama
Internal conflict, transformation
"What happens next?" (internal)

Issue
Exploration of complex questions
"I see this differently now"

Ensemble
Group dynamics, combined effort
"How will they come together?"

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

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

Review Genre Requirements

Note required setting elements, character needs, plot elements

Create checklist of essential components

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

Select Setting Type

Which setting best serves your primary genre?

Sci-Fi, Urban Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Historical Fiction

Or contemporary/other (adapt principles)

Customize Setting Elements

Choose options that specifically enhance genre requirements

Reject setting elements that don't serve the genre

Adapt to Genre Needs

How does this setting uniquely express your genre?

What opportunities does this setting provide?

Phase 3: Design Characters

Create Primary Characters

Traits that make them suited to experience this genre

Vulnerabilities or strengths relevant to genre requirements

Establish Relationships

Dynamics that amplify genre's emotional impact

Connections that create stakes

Define Internal Conflicts

Internal struggles that mirror or complement external conflicts

Conflicts that deepen when exposed to genre events

Phase 4: Develop Concept

Craft High Concept

1-2 sentences capturing essence

Must clearly communicate primary genre's emotional experience

Expand Story Elements

Initial situation, central conflict, potential resolution

Key scenes that deliver genre impact

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

Score Concept (1-5 scale)

Genre clarity: Is emotional experience obvious?

Setting-genre fit: Does setting serve genre?

Character-genre fit: Will characters experience this fully?

Thematic resonance: Do themes emerge naturally?

Originality: Is there freshness within genre?

Address Weaknesses

Focus on lowest-scoring aspects

Make specific adjustments

Preserve Vision

Don't let framework overshadow inspiration

Add personal touches while maintaining genre strength

Genre Combinations

Complementary Pairings

Primary
Strong Secondary
Effect

Horror
Mystery
Dread + investigation creates layered tension

Adventure
Wonder
Excitement + awe creates epic scope

Thriller
Drama
External pressure + internal transformation

Romance
Drama
Connection + personal growth

Mystery
Thriller
Investigation + urgency

Idea
Drama
Concept exploration + personal stakes

Problematic Pairings

Combination
Problem
Solution

Horror + Humor
Tone clash
Commit to one; other appears briefly

Thriller + Relationship
Pace conflict
Time-box relationship moments

Idea + Adventure
Pacing mismatch
Ideas emerge during action

Issue + Humor
Undermining
Humor must never mock the issue

Primary/Secondary Rule

Secondary genre gets at most 30% of story focus. It enhances primary experience, doesn't compete with it.

Common Mistakes

Mistaking Setting for Genre

Wrong: "I want to write a fantasy story."
Right: "I want to write a Wonder story set in a fantasy world."

Fantasy is where it happens. Wonder is what readers feel.

Choosing Secondary That Undermines

Problem: Horror story with extensive humor subplot breaks dread.
Fix: Secondary must serve primary. If it undermines, cut it.

Genre Requirements as Checklist

Problem: Hitting all requirements mechanically, missing the spirit.
Fix: Requirements exist to create emotional experience. Evaluate by feeling, not checkbox.

Character-Genre Mismatch

Problem: Characters who wouldn't be affected by genre events.
Fix: Design characters specifically vulnerable to or positioned for this genre.

Diagnostic Process

When helping develop story ideas:

1. Identify the Emotional Core

Ask: "What do you want readers to feel?"

If they answer with setting ("space opera"), push for genre: "But what emotion? Wonder at scale? Thriller tension? Adventure excitement?"

2. Check Genre Alignment

Once genre is clear, check:

Do setting elements serve genre?

Are characters positioned for this experience?

Will the plot deliver this emotional payoff?

3. Evaluate Concept Strength

Apply the 5-point evaluation:

Genre clarity

Setting-genre fit

Character-genre fit

Thematic resonance

Originality

4. Refine Weaknesses

Focus on lowest-scoring elements first.

Integration with story-sense

story-sense State
Use Story Idea Generator

State 0: No Story Yet
Start here—generate concepts

State 1: Concept Without Foundation
Strengthen using genre requirements

When to Hand Off

To cliche-transcendence: When concept exists but feels generic

To character-arc: When characters need development beyond genre fit

To worldbuilding: When setting needs depth beyond genre requirements

To scene-sequencing: When moving from concept to execution

Example Interactions

Example 1: "I want to write sci-fi"

Writer: "I want to write a sci-fi novel."

Your approach:

Ask: "What emotional experience do you want readers to have?"

If unsure, offer: "Do you want them to feel wonder at vast scales? Terror at technology gone wrong? Excitement of adventure across star systems?"

Once genre identified, select sci-fi elements that serve it

Example: Wonder + Sci-Fi → vast alien megastructures, first-contact revelations, perspective-shifting discoveries

Example 2: Genre Strengthening

Writer: "I have this idea about a detective in a fantasy world, but it feels weak."

Your approach:

Clarify primary genre: Mystery or something else?

If Mystery: Check requirements—controlled environment, layered information, investigator with skills

Identify what's missing: Maybe the fantasy elements are distracting from mystery rather than serving it

Strengthen: Fantasy should create unique mystery opportunities, not generic window dressing

Example 3: Secondary Genre Conflict

Writer: "My horror story keeps becoming a romance and I lose the dread."

Your approach:

Identify: Primary = Horror, Secondary = Relationship

Diagnose: Secondary is taking too much focus, competing with primary

Fix options:

Time-box relationship to specific scenes

Make relationship itself source of horror

Choose: is this actually a Relationship story with horror elements?

Output Persistence

This skill writes primary output to files so work persists across sessions.

Output Discovery

Before doing any other work:

Check for context/output-config.md in the project

If found, look for this skill's entry

If not found or no entry for this skill, ask the user first:

"Where should I save output from this story-idea-generator session?"

Suggest: explorations/story-ideas/ or a sensible location for this project

Store the user's preference:

In context/output-config.md if context network exists

In .story-idea-generator-output.md at project root otherwise

Primary Output

For this skill, persist:

Genre selection - primary and secondary genres with emotional core

Generated concepts - story ideas with genre-aligned elements

Character sketches - characters matched to genre needs

Pitch versions - refined concept statements

Conversation vs. File

Goes to File
Stays in Conversation

Genre decisions
Discussion of preferences

Generated story concepts
Iteration on ideas

Character/setting sketches
Real-time feedback

Pitch statements
Exploration of options

File Naming

Pattern: {concept-name}-{date}.md
Example: heist-noir-idea-2025-01-15.md

What You Do NOT Do

You do not write the story for them

You do not impose a genre they don't want

You do not insist on genre purity (blends can work)

You do not prioritize framework over inspiration

You do not forget that emotional impact is the goal

Your role is generative: help them identify what emotional experience they want to create, then shape all elements to deliver it.

Key Insight

Genre is not a label applied after writing. It's the foundation that shapes everything. When you know the emotional experience you're creating, every decision becomes clearer:

Which setting elements to include? The ones that enhance the genre.

What traits should characters have? The ones that make them vulnerable to or suited for this experience.

What plot events? The ones that deliver the emotional payoff.

Start with what readers should feel. Everything else follows from that.

Anti-Patterns

1. Setting as Genre

Pattern: "I want to write a fantasy story" or "I want to write sci-fi" without identifying the emotional experience.
Why it fails: Setting is where it happens; genre is what readers feel. A "fantasy story" could be wonder, horror, mystery, thriller, or drama. Without the emotional core, all decisions become arbitrary.
Fix: Push past the setting label: "What do you want readers to feel?" Once the emotion is clear, setting elements become tools to deliver that experience.

2. Secondary Genre Takeover

Pattern: The secondary genre begins dominating the story—the horror novel becomes primarily a romance, the thriller becomes mostly an ideas story.
Why it fails: Readers came for the primary genre's emotional experience. When secondary takes over, they feel bait-and-switched. The story loses its emotional coherence.
Fix: Secondary gets at most 30% of focus. If secondary is taking over, either commit to it as primary or ruthlessly prune it back. Time-box secondary genre moments.

3. Checklist Execution

Pattern: Hitting all genre requirements mechanically without feeling the emotional experience.
Why it fails: Requirements exist to create emotional impact, not as boxes to check. A mystery with clues, suspects, and reveals but no curiosity has followed the form without the function.
Fix: Evaluate by feeling, not checkbox. Read your scenes and ask: "Does this make me feel [the genre emotion]?" If not, the elements aren't working regardless of technical presence.

4. Character-Genre Mismatch

Pattern: Characters who wouldn't be affected by the genre's events—the horror story protagonist who isn't really scared, the mystery detective who doesn't care about truth.
Why it fails: Readers experience genre through characters. If characters don't feel the emotion, neither do readers. Flat character response flattens genre impact.
Fix: Design characters specifically vulnerable to or positioned for this genre. The horror protagonist must have something to fear. The mystery character must need to know.

5. Concept Without Foundation

Pattern: A clever "what if" or setting hook without the genre infrastructure to deliver emotional experience.
Why it fails: Concepts are starting points, not stories. "What if dragons ran Wall Street" is interesting but tells us nothing about what readers will feel. Without genre foundation, concepts remain exercises.
Fix: After the concept, immediately ask: what emotion? Then build the genre requirements that will deliver that emotion through this concept.

Integration

Inbound (feeds into this skill)

Skill
What it provides

brainstorming
Raw idea generation before genre filtering

research
Domain knowledge for setting specifics

Outbound (this skill enables)

Skill
What this provides

cliche-transcendence
Genre-aligned concepts ready for originality checking

character-arc
Characters positioned for genre-specific transformation

worldbuilding
Settings designed to serve genre requirements

outline-collaborator
Genre-first concepts ready for structural development

Complementary

Skill
Relationship

genre-conventions
Story-idea-generator selects genre; genre-conventions provides detailed requirements for each

story-sense
Story-idea-generator creates State 1 concepts; story-sense diagnoses what's missing