28 ChatGPT Prompts for Writing a Story (Generating Gothic Ghosts)

ChatGPT is shaking up how stories get written.

From sparking story ideas to shaping vivid characters, enhancing plot twists, and even refining dialogue—its potential is genuinely remarkable.

But with so many opportunities, it’s tricky to know where to begin.

That's the reason I crafted this guide.

In this guide, borrowing from real-world writing situations and numerous hours of playing with ChatGPT, I'll divulge tested-and-proven ChatGPT prompts for writing a story.

Let's jump in.

ChatGPT Prompts for Writing a Story

Brainstorm story ideas

ChatGPT can serve as an exceptional tool for brainstorming unique story ideas when you're facing a writer's block.

All you need to do is to provide ChatGPT with a genre or theme and ask it to generate a few story ideas.

It can create a variety of innovative narratives, from fantasy tales to thrilling mysteries or even heartwarming dramas.

ChatGPT Prompt:

As a creative writer, I'm looking for new story ideas.

The genre I'm interested in is science fiction mixed with elements of mystery.

Please generate 5 unique story ideas based on this theme.

Develop main characters and their backstories

Creating believable and relatable characters is a crucial part of storytelling.

ChatGPT can help you develop main characters and their backstories which will add depth to your narrative.

You can provide a basic concept or desired traits, and ChatGPT will fill in the rest, detailing their personalities, past experiences, motivations, and relationships.

ChatGPT Prompt:

As a seasoned storyteller, help me develop two main characters for my upcoming novel set in a small coastal town.

The first character is a lighthouse keeper with a mysterious past, and the second character is an adventurous young woman new to the town.

Provide their detailed backstories and character traits.

Outline the plotline

Creating a compelling storyline can be a challenge.

Fortunately, ChatGPT is here to assist.

Simply provide ChatGPT with your basic story idea, the genre, and the key characters.

It can then help you outline a compelling plotline, including the setup, conflict, climax, and resolution.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Act as an experienced author and help me outline a plotline for a fantasy adventure story.

The main character is a young, reluctant hero with a mysterious past.

The story is set in a world where magic is commonplace but forbidden.

Create conflict and resolutions

Stories thrive on conflict and resolution, and ChatGPT can assist in generating ideas for both.

Provide it with the characters, setting, and general plot, and ChatGPT can suggest potential points of tension and their resolutions.

It can weave intricate details to create compelling narratives, adding layers to your story.

ChatGPT Prompt:

As an experienced storyteller, I need your help to create a conflict and a resolution for my story.

The story is about a young girl living in a futuristic city who discovers she has the power to control technology with her mind.

Decide on the story setting

Deciding on the setting for your story is a crucial part of the writing process, and ChatGPT can help you with that.

Just provide ChatGPT with a brief idea of what your story is about, and it can suggest various settings that would fit.

These suggestions can range from the time period, to the geographical location, and even the societal structure within your story.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Help me decide the setting for my story.

It's a post-apocalyptic tale about a group of survivors who discover an untouched city.

Generate ideas for time, location, and societal structure within the story.

Write an engaging opening scene

Get your readers hooked from the first paragraph.

With ChatGPT, you can brainstorm compelling introductions that create intrigue and pull your readers into the world of your story.

Give ChatGPT your story's basic context, and it will craft an opening scene that leaves the audience wanting more.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Act as a seasoned author, and craft an engaging opening scene for a story set in a post-apocalyptic world where people have to live underground due to an unlivable surface.

The protagonist is a brave young woman who dares to venture out for the first time.

Develop side characters and subplots

Creating engaging side characters and subplots can add depth and richness to any story.

By letting ChatGPT take the reins, you can brainstorm unique character traits, backstories, and subplots that tie into your main storyline.

Just provide ChatGPT with a brief overview of your main plot and characters, and watch it weave intricate subplots and side characters into your narrative.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Assist me in developing side characters and subplots for my story.

The main plot revolves around a young detective in Victorian-era London.

He is introverted and has a keen sense for details that others often overlook.

Give me ideas for two side characters and their subplots that can add more layers to my story.

Plan character development arcs

In the process of writing a story, character development is a critical aspect.

ChatGPT can assist you in outlining character development arcs.

Just feed ChatGPT with basic character information and your initial thoughts about their development, and it will generate a detailed character arc for you.

For example, you can ask ChatGPT to draft a character arc for a hero transitioning from a naive youngster to a wise leader.

ChatGPT Prompt:

As an experienced author, help me outline a character development arc.

The character is a young, naive hero who needs to evolve into a wise, seasoned leader throughout the course of the story.

Provide insights into the challenges he might face, how he might overcome them, and the changes in his personality.

Introduce plot twists and surprises

Creating unexpected turns in your story can be challenging.

However, with ChatGPT, you can generate thrilling plot twists and surprising elements.

Provide the current storyline, character profiles, or any relevant details and let ChatGPT introduce unexpected events that could change the course of your narrative.

ChatGPT Prompt:

As an experienced novelist, introduce a major plot twist into the following storyline:

John is a detective who is investigating a series of mysterious disappearances in his city.

Unknown to him, his best friend, Mike, is deeply involved in these events.

Write dialogue between characters

Writing a compelling dialogue between characters can give them depth and make the story more engaging.

ChatGPT can help you write realistic dialogue, whether it’s a casual chat, a heated argument, or a romantic conversation.

Just provide the character descriptions, their relationship, and the context, and ChatGPT will do the rest.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Write a dialogue between two characters.

Character A is a timid and kind-hearted young woman, and Character B is a gruff but protective older man.

They are in the midst of a post-apocalyptic world and have a father-daughter-like relationship.

Their current situation is that they've just found a safe place to rest after days of travel.

Describe the environment and atmosphere

When writing a story, it's crucial to create an engaging environment and atmosphere.

ChatGPT can assist in painting vivid descriptions of locations, weather conditions, time of day, and the overall mood of the scene.

Describe the environment in a way that it supports the narrative and enriches the reading experience.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Act as an experienced storyteller.

I need to describe an eerie, abandoned mansion at midnight under a stormy sky.

Make sure to create a tense and suspenseful atmosphere.

Write emotional scenes effectively

Crafting emotional scenes can sometimes be challenging for writers, but ChatGPT can make this process a lot easier.

You can provide the AI with the context of the scene and the specific emotions you'd like to evoke in readers, and ChatGPT will generate a compelling scene for you.

Whether it's a heartbreaking goodbye or an exhilarating moment of triumph, ChatGPT can help you write it convincingly.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Act as an experienced storyteller to draft an emotional reunion scene between two long-lost friends who had a misunderstanding in the past but have now decided to let go of their differences.

Create suspense and build up tension

Creating suspense and tension in a story can be a game-changer.

It's all about the art of revealing and concealing at the right times.

With ChatGPT, you can craft a suspenseful narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

You merely need to provide an outline of your story or even a draft, and ask ChatGPT to add suspenseful elements.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Help me weave suspense and tension into my story.

Here is the outline/draft of my story:

Write a compelling climax

Let ChatGPT design the most thrilling climax for your story.

Provide it with a brief of your story's plot, characters, and the conflict you've set up.

ChatGPT can then write the climax that brings all these elements together in a dramatic resolution.

For instance, you can use ChatGPT to create a suspenseful confrontation between your protagonist and antagonist.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Weave a compelling climax for my story.

The protagonist, a skilled detective, has been hunting a notorious crime lord.

He finally tracked him down to his hideout.

The stakes are high, and the detective must outsmart the criminal to bring him to justice.

Develop a satisfying conclusion

Struggling to tie all the loose ends in your story for a satisfying conclusion?

Let ChatGPT assist you.

By providing ChatGPT with a summary of your plot, key events, and character arcs, it can generate a fitting ending that brings a sense of closure.

Whether it's a happy ending, a cliffhanger, or a shocking twist, ChatGPT can help craft a conclusion that complements your story.

ChatGPT Prompt:

As a seasoned author, create a satisfying conclusion for my story.

The narrative revolves around a young girl's journey to discover her magical abilities in a world where magic is forbidden.

Key events include her discovery, training, and conflict with the oppressive regime.

Revise and edit the first draft

With the first draft of a story complete, there's always room for improvement.

ChatGPT can help examine the plot, characterization, dialogue, pacing, and overall structure for any inconsistencies or improvements.

Feed it with the draft and ask it to identify areas that need polishing.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Review the first draft of this story as an experienced editor.

Identify parts of the story that need revision - from plot holes to character development, or even dialogue enhancements.

Here is the first draft of the story to be reviewed:

Incorporate feedback from beta readers

When you've reached a draft you're satisfied with, it's essential to get feedback from beta readers.

Using ChatGPT, you can analyze the feedback, identify patterns and common suggestions, and even use the AI to help implement changes.

ChatGPT can help make sense of the critiques and make the revision process smoother.

ChatGPT Prompt:

As a seasoned author, analyze and incorporate feedback received from beta readers into the current manuscript.

Here is the feedback:

Proofread for grammatical and punctuation errors

When writing a story, it's easy to overlook grammatical and punctuation errors due to focusing on the plot and characters.

But don't worry, you can use ChatGPT to help you proofread your story and find the errors for you.

Just provide your story content to ChatGPT and it will help you correct the mistakes by suggesting revisions.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Act as a professional proofreader and review this short story for grammatical and punctuation errors.

Here is the story I need reviewed:

Write a compelling story blurb

Are you caught up in the struggle to develop an engaging story blurb?

Utilize the creativity of ChatGPT to craft a captivating synopsis that grips the reader from the get-go.

Provide a general idea about the story's genre, setting, and key characters, and let ChatGPT weave an intriguing blurb that will leave readers eager for more.

ChatGPT Prompt:

As an experienced author, write a compelling blurb for a fantasy story set in a medieval kingdom, revolving around a misfit knight, a secretive sorceress, and a prophecy that could change the world.

Plan the story's sequel/prequel

ChatGPT can help you plan the sequel or prequel to your story.

Whether you need to develop new story arcs, expand on the backstory, or build upon the established universe, ChatGPT can provide you with creative and engaging ideas.

Just provide a summary of your current story or share some details about the characters and world, and it will generate the sequel or prequel plot for you.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Act as a seasoned novelist to plan a sequel for my story.

The current story revolves around a group of friends who found a treasure map leading them to an unexplored island.

Develop a sequel plot that follows their new adventures.

Enhance narrative voice and style

ChatGPT can assist in enhancing the narrative voice and style in your story.

Share with it a paragraph from your story, and ask it to rewrite it in a different tone, style, or perspective.

This can help bring more depth and variety to your storytelling.

You can also ask ChatGPT for suggestions on improving character dialogues, descriptions, and overall narrative flow.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Act as a seasoned writer and editor to enhance the narrative voice and style of this paragraph from a novel.

The current tone is informal and lighthearted, but I want to transform it into a more serious and dramatic tone.

Here is the paragraph:

Create an engaging book cover description

Transform your storytelling skills with 'Writing a Story'.

This book equips you with the tools to weave compelling narratives that captivate your readers.

Dive into the art of character development, plot construction, and find the secret to making every word count.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Write a brief description of a book titled 'Writing a Story', focusing on how it guides aspiring authors in crafting engaging narratives, building compelling characters, and structuring intriguing plots.

Develop a writing schedule

It's vital to have a consistent writing schedule when drafting a story to maintain momentum and ensure progress.

ChatGPT can help you establish an effective writing plan based on your available time and deadlines.

Just provide ChatGPT with your schedule and deadline, and it will generate a personalized writing plan.

ChatGPT Prompt:

As an experienced writing coach, help me develop a writing schedule.

I am writing a novel and I can dedicate 2 hours a day for writing.

I aim to finish the first draft in 3 months.

Please provide a detailed schedule that will guide me through this process.

Overcome writer's block

Writer's block can be a real challenge, especially when you're in the middle of crafting a story.

But fear not, ChatGPT can help by offering a fresh perspective or suggesting new plot developments.

Just give ChatGPT your story's setting, characters, and the dilemma you're facing.

It can then generate possible paths for your story, helping you break through that block.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Act as a seasoned novelist to overcome my writer's block.

The story is set in a dystopian future, with a rebel protagonist named Jane who's opposing a tyrannical government.

Currently, I'm stuck with how Jane can expose the government's secrets to the public.

Provide a few plot suggestions.

Market and promote the story

Harness the power of ChatGPT to craft compelling promotional material for your story.

It can generate engaging book descriptions, enticing promotional emails, or interesting social media posts.

Simply give it an overview of your story, and watch it create copy that can catch the attention of readers everywhere.

ChatGPT Prompt:

You are a marketing expert tasked with promoting a new novel.

The novel is a thrilling suspense story revolving around a detective in Victorian-era London.

Generate an engaging promotional description that will hook potential readers.

Decide on a suitable title for the story

Determining the perfect title for a story can be a challenging part of the writing process.

However, ChatGPT can help you out.

Just provide the AI with a brief summary or the main idea of your story, and it will suggest a title that encapsulates the essence of your narrative.

For instance, you can request ChatGPT to give a catchy title to a love story set in the backdrop of World War II.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Act as a seasoned writer to suggest a suitable title for my story.

It's a love story set against the backdrop of World War II, capturing the passionate yet forbidden romance between an American soldier and a French Resistance fighter.

Implement literary devices (metaphors, foreshadowing, symbolism)

Crafting a compelling narrative often involves the use of literary devices such as metaphors, foreshadowing, and symbolism.

With the help of ChatGPT, you can seamlessly integrate these elements into your story to add depth and nuance.

By providing ChatGPT with your story outline or draft, it can suggest places where you could introduce such literary techniques and enrich your narrative.

ChatGPT Prompt:

As an experienced writer, suggest areas in my story where I can incorporate metaphors, foreshadowing, and symbolism to make the narrative more engaging and profound.

Here is the draft of my story:

Write from different points of view

Improve your storytelling skills by using ChatGPT to write from different character's perspectives.

By inputting character profiles and the plot of your story, ChatGPT can take the role of any character and write from their point of view.

This can help you create diverse perspectives and bring a deeper understanding of each character to your narrative.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Assume the role of Character A in my story, who is a retired detective drawn back into a case that has haunted him for years.

Write a scene from his perspective where he is confronted with a clue he missed years ago.

 

Conclusion

Wow, that was quite a journey!

We've voyaged through the realms of crafting riveting story outlines to fine-tuning captivating character arcs, shaping intriguing plot twists, and painting vivid settings, all with the help of ChatGPT in the landscape of story writing.

ChatGPT is your always-ready co-author when writer's block strikes, your idea generator for plot twists, and your collaborative partner for crafting dynamic dialogue.

But let's not forget:

ChatGPT is a tool, not a replacement for your creative genius. Combine its abilities with your own imaginative prowess to create truly remarkable stories.

Now, it's your turn.

Choose a couple of prompts from this guide and incorporate them in your next writing session, brainstorming meet, or plot development time. You might find yourself marveling at the increased efficiency and creative sparks.

Ready for more powerful AI-enabled writing aids? Pay a visit to Galaxy.ai.

Offering every AI tool you can imagine in one spot, it's the ultimate writing companion for the modern storyteller.

Happy writing! 🚀