Don Bosco is a writer who specializes in fiction for teens and children. His stories are inspired by Asian legends and pop culture. In 2015, his Sherlock Hong Adventures series was acquired by Marshall Cavendish for international release. He is a local co-organiser for StoryCode Singapore, which promotes transmedia storytelling across different platforms and formats. He also started the publishing studio Super Cool Books in 2011. His latest book is Imagine All This: How To Write Your Own Stories, published by Marshall Cavendish and available late-2016.

Original article: https://medium.com/@SuperCoolBooks/how-to-break-the-code-of-speculative-fiction-and-genre-writing-38b93a369228#.pa2frgpqi

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Not long ago, I gave a workshop on writing stories. Among other things, I showed everyone how to break the code of speculative fiction and genre writing. I think it works whether you’re writing a novel, a Wattpad serial, a Hollywood script, a manga comic, a transmedia franchise, whatever.

Now you can be clever too. It goes something like this —

science fiction

People use technology in weird and wonderful ways. Plus artificial intelligence.

fantasy

People use magic in weird and wonderful ways. Plus mythical creatures.

horror

People get terrified in weird and wonderful ways. Plus death.

supernatural

People encounter ghosts in weird and wonderful ways. Plus dead people.

dystopian

People are exploited in weird and wonderful ways. Plus dictator.

post-apocalyptic

People survive the end of the world in weird and wonderful ways. Plus ruins.

crime

People break the law in weird and wonderful ways. Plus police procedures.

mystery

People uncover the truth in weird and wonderful ways. Plus misdirection.

thriller

People beat the clock in weird and wonderful ways. Plus a cunning opponent.

romance

People are attracted to each other in weird and wonderful ways. Plus ugly fights.

Happy writing!