You open ChatGPT or Claude AI, ready to work on your fiction. The cursor blinks. You type “help me with my story” and get a generic, unhelpful response.
Sound familiar?
The problem is not the AI. The problem is the prompt.
AI responds exactly to what you ask for. Vague questions get vague answers. Specific prompts get useful responses.
This article shows you the best prompts for fiction writing, with exact examples you can use today. You will learn how to ask questions that generate helpful ideas, develop complex characters, and solve plot problems.
What Are the Best Prompts for Fiction Writing?
The best prompts provide specific story context and ask focused questions. Include your genre, character details, plot situation, and what help you need. Instead of “help me brainstorm,” try “I’m writing a cozy mystery where my detective discovers the victim blackmailed three people. Generate six motives why each might have killed him.”
Specificity transforms AI from unhelpful to invaluable.
How Do I Write Effective Prompts?
Effective prompts follow a simple formula: provide context, state your specific question, and indicate what format you want the response in. Include relevant story details, explain what you have already tried or decided, and ask for concrete options. Think of prompting like giving directions to a helpful but literal-minded assistant who needs clear instructions to provide exactly what you need.
The more specific you are, the more useful AI becomes.
The Basic Prompt Formula
Start with context about your story. Then ask your specific question. Finally, tell AI how to format the response.
Example: “I am writing a thriller about a journalist investigating corporate corruption. She needs to get information from a reluctant whistleblower. Generate three different approaches she could use, each with different risks and benefits.”
This approach works because you provided genre, situation, character goal, and exactly what you need.
What Details to Include
Tell AI:
- Your genre
- Relevant character information
- The specific story situation
- What you have already decided
- What problem you are trying to solve
These details help AI give responses that actually fit your story.
What Format to Request
Be specific about what you want:
- “Generate five options”
- “Give me three dialogue examples”
- “Suggest reasons in bullet points”
- “Explain the psychological motivation”
Clear requests ensure that AI delivers information you can actually use.
Examples of Good vs Bad Prompts
Bad: “Give me character ideas”
Good: “I need an antagonist for my urban fantasy. She is a centuries-old vampire who runs a nightclub as a cover. Suggest four personality traits that would make her complex and interesting, not just evil.”
Bad: “Help with my plot”
Good: “My detective has three suspects and evidence pointing to each one. How can I structure the reveals so readers suspect everyone but the actual killer until chapter 20?”
Notice how the good prompts give AI something specific to work with.
What Are the Best Prompts for Brainstorming Ideas?
The best brainstorming prompts ask AI to generate multiple specific options within defined parameters. Instead of asking for general ideas, specify your genre, story situation, and the type of ideas you need. Request a specific number of options and ask AI to make each one different from the others. Follow up by asking AI to develop the most promising option in more detail.
Brainstorming prompts work best when you think of AI as an option-generator, not a decision-maker.
Story Premise Prompts
Prompt: “Generate five urban fantasy premises that combine [specific element 1] with [specific element 2]. Each premise should include a main character, their problem, and what is at stake.”
Example: “Generate five urban fantasy premises that combine environmental activism with supernatural creatures. Each premise should include a main character, their problem, and what is at stake.”
Plot Complication Prompts
Prompt: “My protagonist is [situation]. What are five unexpected complications that could make this situation worse in interesting ways?”
Example: “My protagonist is trapped in an elevator with her ex-husband during a power outage. What are five unexpected complications that could make this situation worse in interesting ways?”
Setting Detail Prompts
Prompt: “I am writing [genre] set in [location]. Suggest four specific sensory details that would make this setting feel authentic and vivid.”
Example: “I am writing a historical mystery set in a 1920s speakeasy. Suggest four specific sensory details that would make this setting feel authentic and vivid.”
H3: Title and Name Prompts
Prompt: “Generate ten titles for [brief description of your book]. Make them [specific style you want].”
Example: “Generate ten titles for a psychological thriller about a woman who discovers her therapist is manipulating her memories. Make them intriguing but not cliché.”
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What Are the Best Prompts for Character Development?
The best character development prompts ask AI to explore specific aspects of psychology, motivation, and behavior rather than surface traits. Provide what you know about the character, then ask AI to suggest deeper layers like contradictions, fears, or relationship dynamics. Request explanations for why the character behaves in certain ways, not just descriptions of how they act.
Character prompts work when you dig deeper than physical descriptions.
Psychological Motivation Prompts
Prompt: “My character [brief description and key action]. What are five possible psychological reasons why someone would behave this way? Explain the childhood or past experience that could create each motivation.”
Example: “My character is a successful surgeon who sabotages every romantic relationship just when it gets serious. What are five possible psychological reasons why someone would behave this way? Explain the childhood or past experience that could create each motivation.”
Character Contradiction Prompts
Prompt: “My character is [main trait]. What contradictory trait could I add that would make them more complex and realistic? Explain how both traits could exist in the same person.”
Example: “My character is a ruthlessly ambitious lawyer who will do anything to win. What contradictory trait could I add that would make him more complex and realistic? Explain how both traits could exist in the same person.”
Relationship Dynamic Prompts
Prompt: “Character A is [description]. Character B is [description]. They need to [plot requirement]. Suggest three different relationship dynamics between them, each creating different story possibilities.”
Example: “Character A is a cynical journalist who trusts no one. Character B is an idealistic activist. They need to work together to expose corruption. Suggest three different relationship dynamics between them, each creating different story possibilities.”
Character Voice Prompts
Prompt: “My character is [description]. Write three versions of them describing the same scene, each showing a different aspect of their personality or mood.”
Example: “My character is a burnt-out detective two weeks from retirement. Write three versions of them describing a crime scene, each showing a different aspect of their personality or mood.”
What Are the Best AI Prompts for Dialogue?
The best AI dialogue prompts specify who is speaking, what they want from the conversation, what obstacles exist, and what subtext should be present. Provide enough context about the characters and situation, then ask AI to generate options with specific requirements like tension, humor, or revelation. Request multiple versions to compare different approaches.
Dialogue prompts need context about character goals and conflict.
Subtext and Tension Prompts
Prompt: “Character A wants [goal] but cannot ask directly because [reason]. Character B suspects something is wrong. Write their conversation where they discuss [surface topic] while the real conflict simmers underneath.”
Example: “Character A wants to know if her husband is having an affair but cannot ask directly because they are at a dinner party with friends. Character B suspects something is wrong. Write their conversation where they discuss vacation plans while the real conflict simmers underneath.”
Character Voice Distinction Prompts
Prompt: “I have two characters discussing [topic]. Character A is [description]. Character B is [description]. Write the conversation so each character’s personality comes through clearly in how they speak.”
Example: “I have two characters discussing whether to call the police. Character A is an anxious rule-follower who overexplains everything. Character B is impulsive and speaks in short, decisive sentences. Write the conversation so each character’s personality comes through clearly in how they speak.”
Revelation and Confession Prompts
Prompt: “My character needs to reveal [information] to [other character]. They are afraid of [consequence]. Write three different ways they could start this conversation, each with a different level of directness.”
Example: “My character needs to reveal to her husband that she lost the family’s savings gambling. She is afraid he will leave her. Write three different ways she could start this conversation, each with a different level of directness.”
Argument and Conflict Prompts
Prompt: “Two characters are arguing about [surface issue], but the real conflict is [deeper issue]. Character A uses [arguing style]. Character B uses [arguing style]. Write their argument escalating from the surface issue to the real one.”
Example: “Two characters are arguing about who forgot to lock the door, but the real conflict is that one feels the other never takes their safety concerns seriously. Character A uses passive-aggressive hints. Character B becomes defensive and dismissive. Write their argument escalating from the surface issue to the real one.”
What Are the Best AI Prompts for Plot Problems?
The best plot problem prompts describe your specific situation, explain what is not working, and ask for concrete solutions or alternatives. Provide the story context, the problem you face, any constraints you must work within, and what you have already considered. Frame the prompt as problem-solving, not asking AI to write your plot for you.
Plot prompts work when you explain the problem clearly and ask for options.
Plot Hole Solution Prompts
Prompt: “In my story, [character] needs to [action] but [obstacle]. I have tried [solutions you considered], but they do not work because [why]. Suggest three alternative ways to solve this that would be believable within [genre] conventions.”
Example: “In my story, my protagonist needs to discover that the murder weapon is hidden in the suspect’s house, but the police have already searched it thoroughly. I have tried having her break in or find a warrant loophole, but neither works because she is an amateur. Suggest three alternative ways to solve this that would be believable within the cozy mystery genre.”
Pacing and Structure Prompts
Prompt: “My story has [number] major plot points: [list them]. Right now, the pacing feels [too fast/too slow/uneven] because [why]. Suggest how to restructure or adjust these plot points for better pacing.”
Example: “My story has five major plot points: discovery of body, first suspect revealed, second murder, twist about the victim’s past, and the final confrontation. Right now, the pacing feels slow in the middle because nothing significant happens between points two and three. Suggest how to restructure or adjust these plot points for better pacing.”
Cause and Effect Prompts
Prompt: “I need [event] to happen in my story. What are three different chains of cause and effect that could lead believably to this event?”
Example: “I need my protagonist to be in the wrong place at exactly the right time to witness a crucial clue. What are three different chains of cause and effect that could lead believably to this event?”
Stakes Escalation Prompts
Prompt: “My protagonist’s goal is [goal]. Currently, the stakes are [current stakes]. How can I raise the stakes in three progressive stages that make the story more urgent and compelling?”
Example: “My protagonist’s goal is to prove her brother is innocent of murder. Currently, the stakes are that he might go to prison. How can I raise the stakes in three progressive stages that make the story more urgent and compelling?”
How Do I Improve Prompts That Are Not Working?
Improve unsuccessful AI prompts by adding more specific context, breaking complex questions into smaller parts, requesting concrete examples instead of abstract advice, or trying the same question from a different angle. If AI gives generic responses, your prompt likely lacks enough detail. When AI misunderstands, rephrase the question more clearly. If responses are not useful, specify exactly what format or type of answer you need.
Most prompt failures come from being too vague or asking too much at once.
Add Missing Context
Weak prompt: “How should my character react?”
Improved: “My character is a conflict-avoidant people-pleaser who just discovered her best friend has been lying to her for months. How might she react in a way that shows both her personality and her genuine hurt?”
Context transforms vague questions into answerable ones.
Break Down Complex Questions
Weak prompt: “Help me fix my plot and make my characters better and improve the pacing.”
Improved: Break into three separate prompts, each addressing one specific issue.
AI handles focused questions better than multiple requests at once.
Specify Response Format
Weak prompt: “Tell me about my character’s backstory.”
Improved: “Create a backstory for my character in three parts: childhood trauma, turning point in adolescence, and a recent event that triggers the current story. Include specific details I can reference in the story.”
Format specifications ensure you get usable responses.
Your Next Steps to Better Prompting
Are you ready to improve your AI prompts? Start with one scene or character from your current work in progress.
Write a specific prompt using the formulas in this article. Include context, ask a focused question, and specify the format you want.
Compare the response to previous attempts with vague prompts. Notice the difference specificity makes.
Save prompts that work well. Build a personal prompt library for tasks you do repeatedly.
Remember that AI prompting is a skill that improves with practice. Your first attempts may feel awkward. Your tenth attempts will feel natural. By your fiftieth prompt, you will know instinctively how to ask for exactly what you need.
The best prompt is the one that gives you a useful response. Everything else is just practice getting there.
Read Other Articles on Using AI for Fiction
- Can AI Actually Write Good Fiction? Here’s What AI Does Well
- What Can AI Actually Help Me With for Fiction Writing?
- Can AI Write Good Dialogue? What Fiction Writers Should Know
Get Unstuck: Writing Fiction with the Help of AI
Want detailed prompt templates and techniques that work across all AI platforms? Get Unstuck: Writing Fiction with the Help of AI provides tested prompts for every fiction writing task, from brainstorming to revision.
This practical guide includes:
- Specific prompt formulas for character, plot, and dialogue
- Examples showing exactly what to ask and how to ask it
- Techniques for getting better responses from any AI tool
- Real prompts that work for fiction writing
Available now on Amazon in ebook and paperback.
And look at the companion workbook: Get Unstuck Workbook: Practical AI Exercises for Fiction Writers
