: Incorporate period-appropriate slang. For a 1920s setting, you might use "bean shooter" for a gun, "beef" for a complaint, or "button man" for a hitman.
: Focus on the conflict between the gangster’s desire for individual success and the strict rules of their criminal organization, such as the Mafia code of honor or Omertà . Gangester
: Every story needs a "Gangland Chief" or boss at the top. Use terminology like Soldato (or "made man") for low-level mobsters and Moll for a gangster's female companion. : Incorporate period-appropriate slang
: A strong antagonist, often a detective or law officer, provides the necessary pressure to drive the plot forward. : Every story needs a "Gangland Chief" or boss at the top
If you are crafting a story, expert advice from sites like Globe Soup and writers like Daniel Hallissey suggest these key elements: