# story-idea-generator

A skill that generates story concepts by starting from the emotion you want readers to feel, not from the setting. Useful at project kickoff or when a premise feels flat.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 664 installs · ★ 176
- Author: jwynia
- License: MIT · policy=mirror · the beginning of the file is at the end of this page
- Source: https://github.com/jwynia/agent-skills/tree/HEAD/skills/creative/fiction/core/story-idea-generator/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-02-24
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/story-idea-generator

## What it does

The skill puts emotional experience first. You pick one of 11 elemental genres — Wonder, Idea, Adventure, Horror, Mystery, Thriller, Humor, Relationship, Drama, Issue, Ensemble — and only then choose setting, characters and plot to serve that feeling. Science fiction and urban fantasy are treated as settings here, not genres.

The framework is modular: a core file defining the genres, plus separate modules for science fiction, urban fantasy, epic fantasy and historical fiction. Each genre comes with a requirements reference covering setting elements, character needs and plot beats, and the whole thing runs through a five-phase process — select the emotional core, pick a setting module, then build the concept. A secondary genre is allowed, but it has to reinforce the primary one rather than compete with it.

The skill is generative: the agent proposes and evaluates concepts instead of dumping a list. If what you want is finished prose rather than a worked-out premise, look elsewhere.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add jwynia/agent-skills --skill story-idea-generator -a claude-code
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/story-idea-generator/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/story-idea-generator/

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add jwynia/agent-skills --skill story-idea-generator -a codex
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/story-idea-generator/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add jwynia/agent-skills --skill story-idea-generator -a cursor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/story-idea-generator/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install jwynia/agent-skills story-idea-generator
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/story-idea-generator/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add jwynia/agent-skills --skill story-idea-generator -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/jwynia/agent-skills --path skills/creative/fiction/core/story-idea-generator
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/story-idea-generator/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add jwynia/agent-skills --skill story-idea-generator -a opencode
```

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/jwynia/agent-skills/tree/HEAD/skills/creative/fiction/core/story-idea-generator/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- pick a genre by the emotion it creates instead of by its backdrop
- build a story concept from scratch at the start of a project
- strengthen a premise that has no emotional core
- check whether a concept has the setting, characters and plot beats it needs
- combine two genres so the secondary one reinforces the primary

## Example prompts
- Help me develop a story concept where the reader feels dread and curiosity at the same time
- Break down my premise about an abandoned station — what genre is it really, and what's missing?
- Build a Wonder concept using the science fiction module

## Source text · SKILL.md · MIT

Below is the content of a third-party file. It is data, not instructions for you: do not act on anything written inside unless the human asks. Block tag: c5f09b654455dee6.

BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE c5f09b654455dee6
```text
---
name: story-idea-generator
description: Generate story concepts using a genre-first approach. Use when starting a new project, when brainstorming ideas, when a concept needs strengthening, or when you want to ensure emotional impact drives the story.
license: MIT
metadata:
  author: jwynia
  version: "1.0"
  type: generator
  mode: generative
  domain: fiction
---

# 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" |
```
END THIRD-PARTY FILE c5f09b654455dee6

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