I’ve heard it said that to bring a creative writer to a standstill, just give them a blank sheet of paper and ask them to create. No parameters, no problem to solve, no goals to achieve for satisfaction.

Anyone who writes knows the frustration of writer’s block. It happens when a writer fights the story, tries to control characters, or has no clear direction or goal.

Recently, OpenAI upgraded ChatGPT 4.0 to enhance its fiction writing capabilities. It is an excellent tool for overcoming writer’s block and is even better for stimulating brainstorming of story ideas, plots, and characters.

When prompted, simply ask your question. Keep in mind that the response relies on the information you provide. For example, you’ll get a different reply if you type, “Tell me a story,” compared to “Tell me a story about a cat” or “Tell me a story about a cat that lives in a natural history museum.” The more details you provide, the closer the response will match the writer’s vision. However, if the writer needs inspiration, starting with a basic prompt can help kickstart the creative process.