- Level:
- Beginner
- Lessons:
- 2 Lessons
Using square brackets for easy prompting
Placing instructions in square brackets to indicate instructions in text replacement prompts.
- Reading Time
- approx. 2 min
Many of our users ask “how can I add more description to my prose?” “where can I add instructions for prompting?” “how can I direct the AI to write nearer my vision?”.
The answer to all of these are within the write interface. No button pressing, no special sections to find in order to add the instructions. All you need to do is add your instructions [into square brackets].
Example 1: Text rephrase/expansion
Think changing tense, expanding dialogue, or adding in more description.
- Add your instruction for the rephrase within the prose you want changed. Place it within square brackets.
- Select the entire text you want expanded including you bracketed instructions.
- Choose either the expand or rephrase prompt.
Example 2: Scene brackets
But what about if you’re still working with beats, and want to add additional details there? Think of square bracketed instructions here as stage directions - you are instructing the AI how to portray something, or what is going on behind the scenes. They aren’t direct depictions of the action, or what any characters say, but rather how these actions are done.
Bob clutches the phone as they wait for Jane to return home from work. They catastrophize the situation, wondering if this is tied into why Jane has been more withdrawn recently. They resist the urge to turn on the phone, warring between their respect for Jane’s privacy, and their burning desire for answers. [Slowly build up the tension - from small actions, to larger moments. Bring up memories and how they tie in, and show how irrational Bob is feeling. They are self-aware, but that doesn’t mean they stop.]
When Jane enters the house, Bob stands, ready to confront them. Only… Jane has red-eyes, their makeup is ruined, and their clothes torn. They run into Bob’s arms, seeking solace. As Jane sobs, Bob sneaks the phone back into their pocket. [The wind is taken from Bob’s sails here. They don’t know what to do, how to respond, and have all of this pent up tension that they can’t do anything with.]
Example 3: Codex entries
Square brackets can also be used in the same way within a codex entry. Many of our users store prompt templates in their codexes, and you can include additional instructions for the template in square brackets in the same way you would in the other interfaces.
This lesson was taught by:
Kate Robinson
Based in the UK, Kate has been writing since she was young, driven by a burning need to get the vivid tales in her head down on paper… or the computer screen.