AI as a Brainstorming Partner

Generative AI can be an incredibly powerful tool for breaking through writer's block and exploring new creative avenues. It excels at generating a high volume of ideas quickly, leaving you to curate, refine, and build upon the most promising ones.

Effective Prompting Techniques

The key to successful AI brainstorming is the art of the prompt. Vague prompts yield generic results. Be specific. Here are some examples:

• Instead of "Give me some story ideas," try "Give me five story ideas about a retired librarian who discovers a magical secret in a library in rural Vermont."
• For character development, try: "Create a character profile for a cynical spaceship mechanic who is secretly a gifted poet. Include their fears, desires, and a defining childhood memory."
• To brainstorm plot points, use a prompt like: "My protagonist has just been framed for a crime they didn't commit. What are three unexpected ways they could try to clear their name?"