This document and the following prompts were created by Nicole Broussard.

Check out more AI

tips and tricks at https://www.youtube.com/@NicoleBroussard

I love using Sudowrite’s First Draft for my non-fiction books. I find the initial output better than
ChatGPT directly because it sounds more conversational and informal without prompting it for
that style. However, you can use the following prompts in pretty much any AI.

ChatGPT Prompts for Non-Fiction:

If you do not know your book topic, ask ChatGPT for ideas.
Example prompt: “Please give me 5 ideas for a non-fiction book about (focus).

Step 1:

I would like to write a (niche) nonfiction book about (topic). Please give me 5 unique and
thought-provoking ideas or angles for this topic. I'm looking for concepts that cover different
dimensions of the topic. The goal is to create a book that's informative, interesting, and
resonates with a wide audience.

Step 2:

I like idea #. Please write a book premise that focuses on:

1. The target audience "avatar" or reader

2. The struggles / adversity currently experienced by them
3. How the book will help them overcome this adversity
4. The benefits of overcoming the obstacles or struggles

Step 3:

Using the above premise, create a full book outline.

Step 4:

Edit the outline to your liking.

Step 5:

List out the key points for each chapter in the outline. (Attach revised outline if needed.)

Step 6:

Please write a compelling book description.

Step 7:

Following the above outline, please write Chapter 1.

Read the output and guide the AI to change the tone or output if needed. Once you are satisfied
with the output, ask it to either rewrite the chapter if needed or to continue writing the next
chapter, following the same style or guidance.

Step 8: (repeat as needed)

Please continue.

Alternative ChatGPT Prompts:

1. I am writing a nonfiction book about (topic). I want to focus on (niche). Please write an
outline for me.

Edit outline to preference.

2. What are the different narrative tones I can use for this nonfiction book?

Work back and forth to figure out your preferred tone.

3. Give ChatGPT your revised outline and prompt it to write. For example, “Here is the
outline we will use: (attach outline). Write Chapter 1. Make it exciting, memorable and full
of useful information about the subtopic. Do not use filler content such as “we will go
over”, “in this chapter”, etc.” Note: I do not recommend asking ChatGPT to write the
introduction as it will be nothing but filler like “In this book…” Readers don’t want that.
Make your introduction chapter more personable.

4. Tell ChatGPT to “Continue”, and it will keep writing until it goes through the outline. As
always, make any adjustments needed along the way. However, I prefer to get the rough
first draft, make my own edits, then upload the new manuscript into Chat and work on
strengthening it from there.

Other ChatGPT Prompts I Find Useful:

● Here is (content being given.) (Action desired.) Aim to maintain the original content and
keep a conversational tone while ensuring a logical flow.
 ○ Note: I prefer conversational tones. You will need to adjust the wording to fit your
needs.
● I am writing a nonfiction, self-help book that focuses on (topic). I will give you my current
outline. Please point out any errors or inconsistencies. Here is the outline:

● Please help me clean up this outline for my nonfiction book:

○ Are there any changes you suggest?

● I would like all the sections to have a detailed analysis (or other wording). I would also
like to show (optional content focus) as well as (optional content focus). Please rewrite
the outline to show this.

● I would like your assistance in writing this book. What kind of "act as" prompt or writing
style prompt should I give you to help find the voice I want for this book?

○ ChatGPT will give you a sample prompt that is appropriate for the book if you
have already been working on it in the same conversation.
■ I like your example “act as” prompt. Let's give it a try. Please write a
chapter on the (chapter topic) to get our book started.
■ The above prompt lets you see how the narrative will turn out with
that particular prompt and tone. Adjust as needed from here by
asking Chat to refine anything you do not like. Keep asking for an
example output until you are satisfied with the results.

To Use Sudowrite’s First Draft:

● Create a blank document from the left navigation panel.

● In the button menus next to the laser tools, select the button that says “more” or
“plugins”.
● Choose First Draft.
● In the box that pops up, enter your prompt and any needed information, and press enter.

Non-Fiction Prompts:

● Inside the box for First Draft, [Write an outline for a nonfiction book about (insert book
topic).]
● Second step (to be repeated as needed): [Write chapter # for a nonfiction book chapter
titled (chapter title) that focuses on (chapter subtopic(s)).]

Example:

Step 1. [Write an outline for a nonfiction book about serial killers in Italy.]
Step 2. [Write chapter 2 for a nonfiction book chapter titled History of Serial Killers in Italy that
focuses on Early Examples of Serial Killers.]

Alternative prompts:

● [Write an outline for a nonfiction book about (insert topic), focusing on (insert topic).]
● [Write a 1000 word introduction chapter for a nonfiction book about (main subject of
book) with chapter subtopics of (insert one or more chapter subtopics).]
● Keep in mind that the more subtopics you put, the less words used for each one,
possibly resulting in a less than thorough chapter. However, it’s a good start, and you
can use laser tools like expand to fill the chapter out more. You can also put the section
you want to expand into the box for First Draft and let the AI write it.

Alternative Niche-Specific Prompts for Step 2:

(Self-Help/Personal Development)

Craft a detailed book premise tailored for a target audience. Cover all critical aspects of a book
premise, ensuring a thorough and appealing proposal for potential readers. This should include:

Target Audience Description: Clearly define the 'avatar' reader, including their demographics,
interests, and the unique context of their lives or professions.

Current Challenges: Identify and elaborate on the specific struggles or adversities faced by this
audience. This could range from personal hurdles to professional obstacles, providing a deep
understanding of their pain points.

Book's Approach: Explain how the book will directly address and provide solutions to these
challenges. This should include the methodologies, theories, or narratives used in the book to
guide the reader towards overcoming their difficulties.

Transformation Journey: Detail the journey the reader will undergo through the book,
emphasizing the step-by-step process of change or improvement.

Benefits and Outcomes: Articulate the tangible and intangible benefits the reader will gain by
following the book's guidance. This could include personal growth, professional success,
improved well-being, or other relevant outcomes.

Unique Value Proposition: Highlight what sets this book apart from others in the same field.
Focus on the unique insights, approaches, or perspectives the book offers.
This comprehensive premise should provide a clear, engaging, and insightful overview of what
the book offers, making it compelling and relevant to the target reader.

(Historical)
Develop a comprehensive premise for a historical nonfiction book. This premise should capture
the essence of the historical narrative, engaging the reader’s curiosity and offering them a
compelling journey through the annals of history.

Address the following elements:

Target Audience Profile: Define the 'avatar' reader for this historical book. Include their interests
in history, specific eras or events they might be drawn to, and their level of familiarity with
historical subjects.

Historical Context and Focus: Clearly identify the historical period, events, or figures the book
will explore. Explain the significance and relevance of these historical elements to today’s world.

Reader's Challenges and Curiosity: Discuss the historical misconceptions, knowledge gaps, or
underexplored perspectives that the book will address, which are currently challenging or
intriguing the target audience.

Insightful Approach: Describe how the book will provide fresh insights or unique angles on the
historical subject. This could involve new research, interdisciplinary approaches, or connecting
historical events to contemporary issues.

Benefits of Understanding History: Articulate the value and benefits the reader will gain from this
deeper historical understanding. This might include enhanced knowledge, improved critical
thinking about current events, or a more nuanced view of the modern world.

Distinctive Features of the Book: Highlight what makes this historical nonfiction book unique
compared to other books in the genre. Focus on the narrative style, research depth, or any
unique sources or perspectives used.

Self-Help and Personal Development: "Design a detailed premise for a self-help book. Include
the target reader profile, common challenges they face, the book's approach to personal growth,
step-by-step transformational journey, benefits of this growth, and the unique insights or
methods the book offers."

Business and Leadership: "Create a comprehensive premise for a business and leadership
book. Describe the ideal reader, key leadership challenges they encounter, how the book offers
innovative business strategies, the journey towards becoming a better leader, outcomes of
applying these strategies, and the book's unique perspective on leadership."
Health and Wellness: "Formulate a detailed premise for a health and wellness book. Focus on
the target reader's health goals, prevalent wellness issues, the book's holistic approach to
health, the path to achieving wellness, benefits of a healthy lifestyle, and the distinctive
approach of the book in the health genre."

Science and Technology: "Draft a comprehensive premise for a science and technology book.
Include the intended audience, common misconceptions or knowledge gaps in science, the
book's method of simplifying complex concepts, the journey to understanding cutting-edge
technology, the impact of this knowledge, and the unique angle the book presents."

Memoir and Biography: "Develop a detailed premise for a memoir or biography. Outline the
subject's appeal to readers, key life events or challenges, narrative style of the book, the
personal journey of the subject, lessons the reader can learn, and what makes this memoir or
biography stand out."

Travel and Culture: "Write a comprehensive premise for a travel and culture book. Detail the
type of traveler it's intended for, cultural misunderstandings or curiosities, how the book offers
deep cultural insights, the experiential journey it promises, benefits of cultural understanding,
and the unique travel perspectives it provides."

Cooking and Food: "Craft a detailed premise for a cooking or food-related book. Specify the
target audience of home chefs or food enthusiasts, common culinary challenges or interests, the
book's approach to cooking or food history, the journey of culinary exploration, benefits of this
knowledge, and the book's unique recipes or perspectives."

Parenting and Family: "Create a comprehensive premise for a parenting and family book.
Include the ideal reader (parents or caregivers), typical parenting dilemmas, the book's advice
on family dynamics and child development, the parenting journey it guides, outcomes of
improved family relationships, and the unique parenting insights the book offers."

Finance and Investing: "Formulate a detailed premise for a finance and investment book.
Focus on the target reader's financial goals, common economic challenges, the book's
approach to financial literacy and investment, the journey to financial independence, benefits of
financial savvy, and the distinct financial strategies the book introduces."

Environmental and Nature: "Draft a comprehensive premise for an environmental and nature
book. Describe the environmentally-conscious reader, common environmental concerns, the
book's approach to conservation and nature appreciation, the journey towards environmental
awareness, benefits of this understanding, and the unique environmental perspective the book
provides."

History and Archaeology: "Develop a detailed premise for a history or archaeology book.
Include the target audience interested in history, historical misconceptions or unknowns, how
the book offers new historical insights, the journey through historical events or discoveries,
benefits of this historical knowledge, and the book's unique approach to history or archaeology."

Art and Photography: "Write a comprehensive premise for an art and photography book. Detail
the art enthusiast reader, common artistic interests or challenges, the book's approach to art
history or photography techniques, the journey of artistic appreciation, benefits of understanding
art or photography, and the book's unique artistic perspective or content."

Want to know which grammar-checker is better?

Grammarly is great for non-fiction, whereas ProWritingAid is good for fiction. With Grammarly,
you can remove all the errors in your writing, but ProWritingAid only finds errors in fragments
and pieces.

ProWritingAid seems like a better tool for fiction writers, as it takes care of things like
fragmented sentences and dialogue better than Grammarly. ProWritingAid offers more in-depth
reports and analyses than Grammarly.