If you’ve ever typed a prompt into an AI writing assistant, received a disappointing response, and given up, you’re not alone. Many fiction writers try AI once, get generic results, and conclude that it “doesn’t work for creative writing.”
The problem isn’t the AI. It’s the expectation that one prompt should deliver perfect results.
AI is a Conversation Partner
Here’s what does work: treating AI like a conversation partner who needs context, clarification, and direction to understand what you’re really after. I use Claude AI and this works every time.
Think about working with a human writing partner. You wouldn’t say “give me a scene” and expect them to read your mind. You’d have a conversation:
“I need a tense confrontation between my protagonist and her sister.”
“What’s the conflict about?”
“Their mother’s declining health and who should take responsibility.”
“What’s each character’s position?”
“Sophie thinks they should hire full-time care. Miriam insists on family doing it themselves.”
“What’s the emotional tone you want?”
“Fraught but loving. They’re angry but they care about each other.”
See how that works? Each exchange adds crucial information that shapes the final scene.
The Back-and-Forth Method in Action
The back-and-forth method means engaging in genuine dialogue with your AI tool. You’re not looking for perfection in the first response. You’re looking for something to react to, refine, and redirect.
Start broad, then narrow:
Your first prompt establishes the general territory: “I’m working on a mystery where my detective discovers the victim knew her attacker.”
The AI responds with something. Maybe something too generic or it’s interesting but not quite right. Perfect. Now you have material to work with.
React to what you got:
“That’s interesting, but make the detective more skeptical. She’s been burned by trusting her instincts before.”
The AI adjusts based on your feedback.
Keep refining:
“Good, but dial back the angst. She’s competent despite her doubts.”
Each exchange gets you closer to what you actually envision.
Why This Works Better Than Perfect Prompts
Some writers spend enormous energy crafting the “perfect” initial prompt, trying to anticipate every detail the AI might need. This is exhausting and usually unnecessary.
The back-and-forth method is more efficient because:
You discover what you want as you go. Often you don’t know exactly what you need until you see something that’s close but not quite right. “Not that, but something like that” is valuable information to your AI writing partner.
You can course-correct immediately. Spot a problem in the AI’s response? Point it out in your next message. No need to start over with a completely new prompt.
You maintain creative control. You’re not expecting the AI read your mind (Heaven forbid.) You’re actively steering the conversation toward your vision.
Common Misconceptions About AI Dialogue
“But shouldn’t a good prompt work the first time?”
Sometimes, yes. For straightforward requests with clear parameters, you might get usable results immediately. But not necessarily for complex creative work where you’re exploring possibilities.
“Isn’t going back and forth inefficient?”
Actually, it’s faster than agonizing over crafting perfect prompts. Three quick exchanges often get you better results than twenty minutes of prompt engineering.
“Won’t the AI get confused if I keep changing what I ask for?”
Modern AI tools maintain context throughout a conversation. They remember what you discussed earlier and build on it. And they never get ticked if you keep changing your mind. Nice, huh?
Practical Tips for Better Back-and-Forth
Be specific about what didn’t work: Instead of “try again,” say “that dialogue sounds too formal for a teenager” or “the pacing is too slow.”
Ask clarifying questions: If you’re not sure what direction to take, ask the AI to suggest options: “What are three different ways this scene could escalate?”
Don’t overthink it: This is a working conversation, not a formal presentation. Casual, direct language works fine.
Your AI Tool Wants to Help You
The back-and-forth method works because AI writing assistants are designed for conversation. They’re dialogue partners that get better at understanding what you need through conversations and clarification.
When you embrace the iterative nature of working with AI, everything gets easier. You stop pressuring yourself to craft perfect prompts. There’ll be no need to feeling disappointed when the first response isn’t exactly right. You start having productive creative conversations that actually move your writing forward.
The magic is in the willingness to keep talking to AI, such as Claude AI, until you get what you need.
Want to learn more about working effectively with AI as a fiction writer?
Check out my book Get Unstuck: Writing Fiction with the Help of AI, where I share more practical techniques for brainstorming, character development, and overcoming creative blocks using AI tools.
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