Stop using ChatGPT to write your prompts, it kills the spark

I moderate a small writing group in Columbus and last week three people turned in prompts that were clearly AI generated. Same rhythm, same vague stakes like 'uncover a hidden truth', zero weird details. Handing an AI a writing prompt is like asking a GPS for a road trip story. The whole point of a prompt is to surprise yourself with a weird corner of your brain. I know because I did it twice in March and got two of the dullest stories I ever wrote. Then I switched back to pulling prompts from overheard conversations or grocery store receipts and everything got alive again. Has anyone else noticed AI prompts flattening the replies, or am I just fighting a losing battle here?

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haydenburns20d ago

My one attempt at an AI prompt last month gave me a story about a detective who "uncovered a hidden truth" and I fell asleep writing it, so yeah, I felt that in my bones. The flat part is that the AI gives you the safe middle of an idea, and prompts only work when they come from some odd corner of real life. Grocery receipts and half-heard arguments at the CVS are undefeated.

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