One of the things a lot of authors get stuck on is how to prompt the AI to give them what they want in a scene. My good friend, Elizabeth Ann West, recommends a method called DO-WHAT-HOW, but I find that the method DO-THIS-WITH makes more sense to me.

Do

"Do" refers to the action that the AI should take. This could be writing, creating, designing, or any other action that you want the AI to perform. Consider what you need from the AI before you begin prompting so that you know what to ask for. The "Do" part of the prompt helps define the scope of the request and what the AI should do.

This

"This" refers to the desired outcome or result of the AI's actions. It provides the AI with a clear definition of what you want to achieve. This part of the prompt helps the AI understand what the final product should look like. For many authors, this is the crucial part of the command. What will you be asking for? 300 words? Five paragraphs of at least four sentences a piece? A detailed Save the Cat outline? Consider asking for a precise amount of words or a specific format.

With

"With" refers to the information or resources that the AI should use to complete the task. This could include data, sources, examples, or any other information that the AI needs to perform the task correctly. The "With" part of the prompt helps ensure that the AI has all the information it needs to generate a high-quality result. This information could be anything related to your query. Characters, Setting, Situation, a book blurb, a log line... any information you already have that will make the output unique to you.

Prompting Tips

Here are a few additional tips to help you get the best results when working with an AI:

  1. Be specific and clear: When providing instructions, it's important to be as specific and clear as possible. This helps the AI understand exactly what you want and reduces the chances of misunderstandings or mistakes.
  2. Provide relevant information: When you provide the information the AI should use (With), make sure it is relevant and up-to-date. The AI can only work with the information it has, so providing accurate and relevant information is crucial for getting the best results.
  3. Provide context: If your request is complex or requires background knowledge, it's helpful to provide some context or background information to help the AI understand the request better.
  4. Be patient: AI models can process a large amount of information quickly, but they still take some time to generate a response. Be patient and give the AI enough time to process your request and generate a response.

By using the method of "Do, This, With," you are providing the AI with clear and concise instructions on what to do, what the desired outcome is, and what information to use. This can help the AI understand your request better and generate more accurate and relevant results.

Examples

Here are a few examples of how to construct your prompts! In my first example, I always show you how the prompt is broken down, and then below that, I show you how to ask in plain English. BOTH WORK. If you prefer to prompt in a more programmatic way, you can use the first and always just switch out your command.

Do: Write. This: A science fiction novel 3-Act outline. With: The following plot summary - "In a future where humans have colonized Mars, a group of settlers must band together to fight off an alien invasion."

Please write a science fiction novel 3-Act outline using the following plot summary- "In a future where humans have colonized Mars, a group of settlers must band together to fight off an alien invasion."

Do: Create. This: A fantasy world with unique creatures and magic. With: The following specifications - "The world should have dragons, unicorns, and two distinct types of magic - elemental magic and necromancy."

Create a fantasy world with unique creatures and magic using the following specifications - "The world should have dragons, unicorns, and two distinct types of magic - elemental magic and necromancy."