The quality of what you get from AI is a direct reflection of how well you direct it. Vague prompts get vague, robotic output. Specific prompts get something you can actually use.
Here are 10 I use constantly. Fill in the brackets and paste.
Brainstorming
1. The trope stacker
I'm writing a [sub-genre] romance. Give me 10 story concepts that combine [trope 1] and [trope 2], each in two sentences, with a clear source of conflict between the leads.
2. The gap finder
Here is my raw story idea: [paste]. Don't write anything yet. List the strongest tropes and stakes you see, then ask me three questions about the gaps in this concept.
Characters
3. The wound finder
My [hero/heroine] is [short description]. Give me three possible past wounds that would explain why they push people away, and how each one could make the Act 3 conflict hit harder.
4. The villain upgrade
My antagonist is [description]. Make them more dangerous and more personal to the heroine. Give me three options, and for each, explain what they want and why they think they're right.
Outlining
5. The impatient reader
Act as an impatient [sub-genre] reader. Read this outline: [paste]. Flag every chapter where you'd be tempted to skim, and tell me why.
6. The sagging-middle fixer
Here are my Act 2 chapters: [paste]. Where does the tension flatten? Give me three ways to raise the stakes before the midpoint.
Drafting and fixing
7. The subtext pass
Rewrite this dialogue so the characters never say what they feel directly. Keep the same plot beats. Add friction, interruptions and at least one dodged question: [paste].
8. The cliché hunter
Read this chapter and quote every cliché, overused phrase or "AI-sounding" sentence verbatim. For each one, give me three more human alternatives: [paste].
Packaging
9. The hook generator
Here's a summary of my book: [paste]. Give me 5 blurb hooks under 15 words each that lead with the emotional premise, not the character names.
10. The keyword brainstorm
My book is a [sub-genre] romance with [tropes] and a [hero archetype]. List 25 phrases a reader might type into Amazon's search bar to find a book like this.
Want the full prompt library?
These are the quick ones. Plot. Publish. Profit. has 40+ detailed prompts and templates built into the lessons, from the character core builder to the full drafting templates, all collected in one searchable library with copy buttons.
