Writer’s block, lack of inspiration, or just not in the mood to write? Whatever your reason is, ChatGPT can be your AI story generator —even if you are using the free version!
But let’s be clear first: ChatGPT won’t make you a J.K. Rowling, Stephen King, or Hemingway overnight. But you can use it as your secret weapon in writing fiction, and here are 21 ways to do so.
1. Create Story Ideas
We’ve all been there—staring at a blank page, waiting (patiently or not) for a brilliant idea to strike. And, unfortunately, sometimes it never arrives.
Before you raise the white flag, ChatGPT can kickstart your creative juices. But don’t just ask for “generate five story ideas.” Be specific because the more detailed you are, the better ideas ChatGPT can generate for you.
For instance, if you want to write a horror story. ChatGPT might suggest a typical and overdone haunted house story. Instead, push it further!
Sample prompt:
I want to write about a [insert genre] story. Please provide me with five story ideas that do not fit the typical genre plot.2. Generate A Plot Outline
How many times have you heard that a ‘plot structure can make or break a story’? Once? Twice? or too many to mention? Well, that’s because it’s true!
But, here’s the thing with ChatGPT, or any AI story generator tool for that matter: they follow a formula that is predictable and repetitive.
So what do you do? Twist the different types of plots.
Take, for instance, Gone Girl (the book or the film version). On the surface, it seems like just your regular ‘missing-person’ thriller. But Gillian Flynn subverts expectations.
Sample prompt:
I have a story about [insert plot]. Generate a detailed plot outline for me using the [insert plot type] but subvert standard expectations.3. Explore Unexpected Themes
Great stories don’t just have one theme––they have multiple layers that your readers can explore. The hard part with themes is ensuring they’re woven seamlessly and are natural.
That’s where ChatGPT comes in. It can suggest layers of themes without forcing them in.
For instance, if your idea is about a robot gaining sentience, the story will naturally explore what it means to be human. But ChatGPT can spot room for unexpected themes like societal rejection or fear of obsolescence that you hadn’t consciously considered before.
Sample prompt:
I have a story idea about [insert story idea]. What are some underlying themes that could naturally arise?4. Challenge Genre Conventions
Many writers assume that genre is restrictive, but in reality, it’s the foundation for creativity. So, if you want to write fantasy, don’t be a copy of Tolkien. Thriller? Don’t be a King. You can always challenge genre conventions.
For instance, you want to write a rom-com. What if it is set in a post-apocalyptic world or a gothic horror setting? The opportunity is endless!
So, don’t follow genre “rules,” your story can be a springboard for innovation.
Sample prompt:
I have a [insert genre] story idea about [insert idea]. Please twist it into a [insert setting].5. Establish Core Conflict
Let’s be honest: nobody cares about a story in which everything goes smoothly. But it shouldn’t be just about surface-level good versus evil. There should be internal and external struggles between characters or the characters and their environment.
Sample prompt:
I have a story about [insert plot]. Can you help me establish a strong core conflict, including internal struggles and external obstacles, that would make the story more believable?6. Set the Right Point of View
Different points of view have different advantages for your story.
Third-person omniscient allows for grand, sweeping narratives with multiple perspectives. Think of the Lord of The Rings, where the narrator has an all-knowing perspective and moves between different characters. First-person point of view, on the other hand, allows for introspective and emotionally driven stories. An example is The Catcher in the Rye, where the protagonist is the narrator.
Sample prompt:
I'm writing a [insert genre] where the main character is [insert plot]. I want the reader to feel and understand my main character's thought process. What POV should I use?7. Build the Setting
A setting doesn’t just house the story––it also affects or contributes to the plot. For instance, in The Hunger Games, the Capitol is a symbol of oppression.
Sample prompt:
I'm writing a [insert genre] novel set about [insert plot]. Can you help me find the perfect setting that will influence my story's plot and characters?8. Create the Main Character
When you think of Harry Potter, Elizabeth Bennet, and Katniss Everdeen, what do you remember? Is it their struggles, their thought process, their inner turmoil, or all of the above? If you answered ‘all of the above,’ that’s because they’re not just goal-driven protagonists; they’re deeply flawed, layered, and real.
Obviously, you want to have a main character just like them. Here’s a simple prompt you can use.
Sample prompt:
I'm writing a [insert genre] novel about [insert plot]. I want you to create a detailed protagonist profile, including their personality, motivations, strengths, flaws, and a brief backstory.9. Create Supporting Characters
Just because you already have a great protagonist, that doesn’t mean you should give attention to other characters. Why? That’s because they help influence your main character’s journey and development and even influence the entire plotline.
For instance, mentors guide the protagonist but may have their own flaws, while side kicks offer emotional support, comedic relief, or an alternative point of view. Rivals, on the other hand, push the protagonist to grow.
Sample prompt:
I'm writing a [insert genre] novel about a [insert plot]. Create a supporting character who serves as their reluctant ally. Include their personality, motivations, and how their relationships with the main character evolve. 10. Character Development
Characters with development (whether for the better or not) can make your story more worthwhile to read. As a matter of fact, every character should actively influence your story rather than just reacting to the events that happen.
So, ask yourself if the plot could happen without your characters making key choices, and if the answer is yes, then you need to go back to the drawing board and determine how you can make a character, not a bystander.
Sample prompt:
I'm writing a [insert genre] novel about [insert plot]. Create a detailed protagonist character profile that includes his personality, strengths, flaws, backstory, motivations, and how they will change throughout the story. 11. Write Engaging Dialogues / Establish Character Interaction
A well-thought-out dialogue reveals your characters’ personalities and characteristics. Without one, you are left with a conversation that reveals nothing about the story and, of course, the characters.
Remember, a professor, teenager, and criminal won’t speak the same way––word choice, sentence length, and tone reflect who they are.
Sample prompt:
Write a compelling and engaging dialogue between [insert character] and [insert character] that will show their differences. The scene is about [insert scene].12. Address Plot Gaps
Have you ever watched a film where a character suddenly does something out of his behavior (think Daenerys Targaryen’s character in the Game of Thrones) or a subplot that was conveniently forgotten because it no longer fits the narrative? That’s a plot gap, and, believe us, it can 100% ruin the narrative.
Sample prompt:
I'm writing a [insert genre] novel about [insert story]. Can you identify the plot gaps and suggest ways to resolve them?13. Subplots Integration
Subplots should be like a natural extension of your plot and not take the spotlight! “I won’t use a subplot anyway,” you say? Well, consider subplots because they can be the turning point for the protagonist to change.
But, of course, including too much can make the entire story feel cluttered or unfocused. You should ask yourself, Does this subplot affect the main narrative? If it doesn’t, then cut it out from the story.
Sample prompt:
I'm writing [insert genre] about [insert plot]. What is a subplot that would add emotional depth and tie into the story? I also want it to affect the protagonist's choices in the climax. 14. Describe a Scene
Describing a scene shouldn’t be just telling your readers what’s there; you should use your words to immerse them in the scene.
For instance, in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, you don’t just see Gatsby’s lavish and dazzling parties, but you also feel the loneliness and disillusionment hiding underneath.
Sample prompt:
Describe a [insert scene] by using sensory details. It should integrate with my story's [insert theme].15. Drafting Key Scenes
Whether you want an action-packed or emotional key scene, what’s important is that it should force a character (willingly or unwillingly) to make a choice.
Remember, the most memorable key scenes challenge the protagonist, shift perspectives, and force decisions that ripple through the rest of the story.
Remember, key scenes are the spine of your narrative!
Sample prompt:
Write a high-stakes confrontation between [insert character] and [insert character]. Make the dialogue tense, with emotional undertones, and build up to an explosive action sequence. 16. Fine-tune a Scene’s Impact
You can come up with different scenes for your story. But what makes it truly impactful? It’s how it happens. Being a key scene also means that it should reveal more about the character or advance the story.
Sample prompt:
I have a [insert scene]. The emotions feel flat. Add sharper dialogue to make the scene more impactful and believable.17. Establish Theme Integration
Themes should feel like an invisible thread pulling everything together.
Think about Charles Dickens’ Christmas Carol—Scrooge’s arc isn’t just about personal change—it embodies the theme of redemption and the power of generosity.
If the characters, the plot, and the subplots all align with the theme naturally, there’s no need for an explanation; the readers already know what you want to express.
Sample prompt:
I'm writing a novel about [insert plot]. Suggest ways to integrate the theme of [insert theme] throughout his journey.18. Check Underdeveloped Characters
Flat, underdeveloped characters can make even the most exciting plot feel hollow like cardboard. Keep in mind, though, that this means that your characters should be ‘likable.’ They should be complex!
Sample prompt:
I have a [insert character type] who is a [insert role and motivation in the story], but I feel like her character is underdeveloped. Give me suggestions for a stronger internal conflict, a meaningful backstory, and a flaw that makes her more compelling. 19. Generate Alternate Endings/Resolutions
Ever felt disappointed or even disgusted because the ending is, well, just wrong? Although there is no one-size-fits-all ending, some endings work better for certain stories.
What’s the perfect ending for your story? In general, you have six options:
- Resolved ending: No loose ends or lingering questions. Perfect for crime novels.
- Unresolved ending: This leaves your readers with more questions because the story is ‘unresolved,’ like The Mist.
- Expanded ending: An epilogue that goes beyond the narrative.
- Unexpected ending: An ending that the readers did not see coming.
- Ambiguous ending: Also called open-ended, this type of ending is open for interpretation.
- Tied ending: The story comes in full circle.
Sample prompt:
I have a story about [insert plot]. Can you give me a [insert type of ending], [insert type of ending], and [insert type of ending]?20. Ask for Feedback On Your Manuscript
Your first draft is never going to be perfect. There might be plot consistencies, pacing issues, dialogue authenticity, and theme consistency. And you need fresh eyes to critique your work —preferably someone that you refer to as a ‘friend’ or a ‘loved one.’
Sample prompt:
Here's my manuscript's first chapter [insert first chapter]. Can you give feedback on the pacing, character introduction, and whether the opening introduction is engaging enough? 21. Suggest Book Titles
And, the last way you can use ChatGPT for your book? Generate an intriguing, genre-appropriate, memorable, and unique title.
Remember that your book title should be as captivating as your story itself––something that makes people pause, wonder, and want to know more.
Sample prompt:
I'm writing a [insert genre] novel about a [insert plot]. Can you suggest ten title ideas? Bring Your Story to Life with ChatGPT
Using ChatGPT as your AI story generator can make novel writing more exciting, even when you are experiencing the dreaded writer’s block! What specific area of story writing will you use ChatGPT for? Let us know in the comments!