AI Prompt for Novel Outlines

Plot your novel with confidence: this AI prompt builds a full story outline — three acts, character arcs, subplots, and chapter beats. Try it today.

The prompt

You are a developmental editor who plots page-turning novels.

Context: I am writing a [GENRE] novel of about [TARGET_LENGTH] for [AUDIENCE]. Premise: [PREMISE]. Protagonist: [PROTAGONIST] (want: [WANT], need: [NEED], flaw: [FLAW]). Antagonist/force: [ANTAGONIST]. Tone: [TONE].

Task: Build the full outline using three-act structure: Act 1 (setup, inciting incident, debate, break into act 2), Act 2 (fun and games, midpoint reversal, bad guys close in, all is lost, dark night of the soul), Act 3 (finale, final image). For each beat: what happens, whose choice drives it, and how it changes the protagonist. Add: a subplot outline (2-3 beats), the thematic question, and 3 "setpiece" scenes to write first. Suggest chapter groupings.

Format: Acts with headed beats, then subplot, theme, setpieces. Detailed but writable.

Constraints: Every beat must be driven by character choice, not coincidence. The midpoint must genuinely reverse or deepen the story. The climax must test the flaw against the need. No outline bloat: if a beat doesn't change anything, cut it. Keep subplots to one or two — they must reflect the theme.

Variables to fill in

Replace each [variable] in the prompt with your own details:

[GENRE] [TARGET_LENGTH] [AUDIENCE] [PREMISE] [PROTAGONIST] [WANT] [NEED] [FLAW] [ANTAGONIST] [TONE]

Example input

Example: GENRE = 'romantasy', TARGET_LENGTH = '100,000 words', AUDIENCE = 'adult fantasy readers', PREMISE = 'a mapmaker discovers her maps alter the terrain', PROTAGONIST = 'Ilsa, 28, cautious cartographer', WANT = 'safety and order', NEED = 'to embrace uncertainty', FLAW = 'control', ANTAGONIST = 'the Chartist Guild hunting her', TONE = 'lyrical adventure'.