Question about using AI for story outlines

I always thought AI writing tools were just for making spammy listicles. Last month, I was stuck on a sci-fi plot and tried one on a whim. I gave it my basic idea about a space station pest controller, and it spit out a full three-act structure in about two minutes. The outline had specific beats, like the inciting incident happening 12% into the story. It was weirdly useful, but it also felt like cheating. Has anyone else used AI for plotting, and did it actually help your final draft or just make you feel lazy?

3 comments

3 Comments

ray_sullivan16h ago

That "weirdly useful but feels like cheating" feeling is spot on. I used one to brainstorm character flaws once and it gave me a list so generic I had to scrap it all.

nelson.wren16h ago

The generic lists are a real problem. I got the same thing for a sci-fi setting last week. It just means you have to push the tool harder with better prompts.

craig.viola15h ago

My prompts must be terrible then, because I keep getting the same five ideas back. It's like the tool is gently suggesting I have no imagination, lmao. Guess I need to level up my question game.