The Narrative Lab: Writing Prompts

Use AI to spark story ideas, build consistent worlds, and pressure-test your creative fiction.

✍️ The Narrative Lab: Writing Prompts

A blank page is the creator’s greatest enemy. In the Narrative Lab, we use AI not to write the story for us, but to act as a high-level creative partner. Whether you are scripting the next episode of The Pancake Delivery Frog or drafting a sci-fi short story, these prompts help you find the “pulse” of your narrative.

⚡ Quick Win: The “What If” Generator

Use this to find a unique angle for a story or episode:

Try this prompt:

“I am writing a story about [Subject/Character]. Give me 5 ‘What If’ scenarios that flip the script. Example: ‘What if the Pancake Delivery Frog accidentally delivered a message that could stop a war?’ Focus on scenarios that are: 1. Comedic, 2. High-Stakes, and 3. Surreal.”

🏗️ Narrative Missions

🛠️ Mission 1: The World-Building Architect

Every great story needs a “Logic” that holds it together. Use AI to build the “Rules” of your world so you don’t run into plot holes later.

  • The “Magic System” / Tech Constraints Try this: “In my world, [Element, e.g., Salamanders can talk]. What are the 3 biggest problems this would cause in everyday society? Suggest 2 strict ‘Rules’ for how this works so the characters can’t just use it to solve every conflict.”

  • The Conflict Engine Try this: “For this story idea: [Concept], identify the internal conflict (fear/guilt), the external conflict (villain/obstacle), and one ‘pressure point’ that forces the character to change.”

🛠️ Mission 2: Character Integrity & Dialogue

Consistency is what makes a character feel “real.” Your mission is to use AI to stress-test your character’s voice.

  • The Character Interview Try this: “I am playing the role of [Character Name]. You are a skeptical journalist. Ask me 3 difficult questions about my recent [Action in Story]. I will respond in character, and you will tell me if my ‘Voice’ feels consistent.”

  • The Dialogue “Grit” Filter Try this: “Take this dialogue: [Paste Dialogue]. Rewrite it to be more [Trait, e.g., grumpy/optimistic]. Remove any ‘filler’ and ensure the character uses a specific verbal tic or unique vocabulary.”

🛠️ Mission 3: The Theme & Structure Lab

Architecture isn’t just about the bricks; it’s about the “Message” the building sends.

  • Theme Extraction Try this: “Based on this story idea: [Concept], identify 3 possible Themes (e.g., Redemption, Sacrifice, Greed). Explain how each different theme would change the ending of the story.”

  • The Reverse-Engineered Story Beat Try this: “Describe the ‘Beat Sheet’ for a classic [Genre, e.g., Heist] movie. Now, apply that same structure to a story about a [Your Subject, e.g., a Kangaroo Cowboy].”

🎭 Creative Personas & Genre Remix

Ask the AI to look at your story through a different lens to find hidden potential:

  • The Noir Remix: “Rewrite this scene as if it were a 1940s detective novel.”
  • The Pixar Lens: “How would a family-friendly animation studio handle this dark conflict without losing the emotional weight?”
  • The Technical Manual: “Write a ‘User Guide’ for the [Gadget/Magic Item] in my story. How does it break, and who fixes it?”

🧭 Next Steps

  • Shape for the Screen: If your story is intended for video, explore Video Concept Architecture to shape the narrative into a compelling on-screen concept.
  • Draft the Blueprint: Once the spark is lit, turn it into a structured Script with AI.
  • Design the Cast: Create visual references for your characters in the Image Generation guide.

⚠️ A quick note

AI is a brilliant mimic, but it doesn’t have “soul.” It can give you a plot twist, but only you can give the story meaning. Use AI to generate the prompts, but use your own life experiences to write the truth.

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