What makes Crime work
- Criminal Activity (essential): A crime — committed, planned, or investigated — is central to the story.
- Moral Ambiguity: Characters operate in ethical gray areas; motives are complex.
- Underworld or Justice System: The story depicts the criminal world, law enforcement, or both.
- Consequences: Actions have repercussions — legal, personal, or violent.
Tone and themes
Tone: Gritty, morally complex, realistic, street-level
Themes: justice, corruption, loyalty, betrayal, power, consequences, survival, greed
Setting guidance
Urban streets, police stations, courtrooms, prisons, criminal hideouts, or any environment shaped by crime.
What Crime is NOT
- [Critical] Must center on crime — criminal acts, their investigation, or their consequences
- [Critical] Must not be pure horror or fantasy with incidental illegality
- Should not be primarily a romance or drama where criminal elements serve only as backstory
Writing tips
- Show the world of crime through specific, grounded details — not just stereotypes.
- Give criminals and law enforcement alike complex motivations.
- Consequences make crime stories compelling — show what is risked and lost.
- Avoid glamorizing violence without showing its cost.
Example openings
“The job was supposed to be clean — no witnesses, no cameras, no complications. Two out of three wasn't enough.”
“Detective Reyes hadn't slept in three days. The body count hadn't stopped either.”
“She counted the money twice. It was exactly what they promised. That's how she knew something was wrong.”
Mood keywords
heist, witness, gun, badge, alley, confession, fugitive, evidence, corrupt, undercover, score, verdict
Related genres
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