Here are The Only 7 Prompts AI Authors Need to Write Their First Book, structured as a step-by-step guide to streamline the writing process and help you craft a compelling story from start to finish.
1. The Premise Prompt
Purpose: Define the core idea of your book—what the story is about and what makes it unique.
Prompt:
“Describe your book’s central idea in one to three sentences. Who is the main character? What do they want, and what stands in their way? How does the story begin, and where will it lead?”
Example: A young woman discovers she can travel through time but risks unraveling her family’s history when she tries to prevent a tragedy.
2. The Opening Scene Prompt
Purpose: Hook your readers with an engaging and intriguing opening that sets the tone.
Prompt:
“Write the opening scene of your book. Introduce the protagonist in a way that hints at their personality, their goal, and the world they live in. Include an inciting incident or an intriguing detail that makes readers want to know more.”
Example: The protagonist opens a mysterious letter with a message they were never supposed to see. Their seemingly normal life is thrown into chaos.
3. The Character Development Prompt
Purpose: Create well-rounded, believable characters that readers care about.
Prompt:
“Describe your protagonist in detail: What are their strengths, flaws, fears, and dreams? What do they want more than anything, and what keeps them from getting it? How will they change by the end of the story?”
Follow-Up: Repeat this for your antagonist and supporting characters.
Example: The protagonist is a brilliant scientist but struggles with self-doubt. She fears failure more than anything, but her journey forces her to embrace risk to save what she loves.
4. The Conflict and Stakes Prompt
Purpose: Establish tension and give the story its driving force.
Prompt:
“What major conflict drives the story? Who or what opposes the protagonist’s goal, and why? What’s at stake if the protagonist fails? What makes this conflict personal, urgent, or dangerous?”
Example: The protagonist must stop an ancient artifact from falling into the wrong hands, or the entire city will be destroyed. However, their rival—a former friend—will stop at nothing to win.
5. The Midpoint Twist Prompt
Purpose: Plan a surprising twist in the middle of the story to keep readers engaged.
Prompt:
“What unexpected event, revelation, or twist will occur halfway through the book? How does this shift the protagonist’s understanding of their goal or the conflict? How does it raise the stakes?”
Example: The protagonist discovers that the person they trusted most has been secretly working against them, forcing them to question everything.
6. The Climax and Resolution Prompt
Purpose: Write the most intense, high-stakes part of the story and bring it to a satisfying conclusion.
Prompt:
“Describe the climax of your story: the final confrontation or turning point where the protagonist faces their greatest challenge. How do they overcome (or fail to overcome) it? How does the story resolve afterward? What has changed for the characters and the world?”
Example: The protagonist confronts the villain in a desperate race against time, finally embracing their own strength and overcoming their fears to save the day.
7. The Theme and Takeaway Prompt
Purpose: Define the deeper message or theme your book conveys to readers.
Prompt:
“What is the deeper meaning of your story? What message, lesson, or truth do you want readers to take away by the end? How does the story explore this theme through its characters and events?”
Example: The story explores the theme of forgiveness and redemption, showing that even those who have made mistakes can find a path toward hope.
How to Use These Prompts
These seven prompts provide a roadmap for writing your first book. Follow them step by step:
- Start with the premise to define your story.
- Write the opening scene to hook readers.
- Develop your characters to make them relatable and compelling.
- Outline the central conflict and stakes to drive tension.
- Plan the midpoint twist to keep the plot dynamic.
- Write the climax and resolution for a satisfying payoff.
- Clarify the theme to give your story depth and resonance.
By answering each prompt thoughtfully and building on the previous steps, you’ll have a clear foundation and structure for your book. From there, you can flesh out the details and bring your story to life!