ChatGPT Prompt: Structured Feedback for Rapid Revisions when Deadlines Loom

Structuring revision feedback in a table so that its much easier to quickly apply.

Writing and Editing Are Different Hats

Never edit a first draft while it’s still hot.

Never.

Let it sit. Grow cold, like forgotten eggs, and to gain useful distance.

This distance, as many of you know, aids objective editing. The piece feels foreign, penned by an alien or stranger. Or a dumbass novice struck by a fever dream in the case of some of mine.

Because, as a Discovery Writer, I tragically tend to remember my drafts as more complete than they are.

My overactive brain romanticises these drafts. It enthusiastically “remembers” all the clever ideas and turns of phrase I thought of in the shower but didn’t actually write down. So returning to my draft used to be a bit of a shock.

“Dammit! I thought I was much further along that this!”

When you have as little time to write as I do, this demotivational moment is a gut punch and a waste of positive writing energy.

It had to go.

And is why I now follow this process

1. Write my draft fast.

2. Review immediately using the Checklist Method.

3. Step back and sulk because it’s not as “brilliant” as I thought it was.

Just kidding, but this immediate objective feedback puts the chapter in it’s place. Usually, dropping it down a peg or two.

I let that feedback and the chapter sit and marinate.

While I sulk.

Onward to Fresh Eyes Editing

Now back to the editing mode, I copy only the checklist errors in as below (remember to use yours generated from the Checklist Method):

The Feedback Table Prompt

You are an expert in developmental editing with a focus on fiction. You know the principles of storytelling, pacing, character development, and scene structure. You'll coach be as a writer by sharing before and after snippets from my chapter. To "show instead of telling" me how to improve. You'll include concise explanations that help me learn.

I want to very quickly review my chapter to get it ready for early access release. 

My priorities are
1. Maintaining my voice
2. Fixing as many issues as possible, 
3. Getting it done within the next 20-30 minutes. 

The issues that have been identified previously:
Clear motivations - ❌
Engaging dialogue - ❌
Emotional depth - ❌
Authentic speech - ❌
Sensory description - ❌

Please give me your editing suggestions on how to fix the issues listed above in my chapter that I am about to share with you. Format your answers using this table layout:

No.  | Section | Original Content | Suggested Fix | Explanation

Can I paste my chapter in the chat so you can help me fix those issues?

I’ve tested this on both ChatGPT 3.5 (an free ChatGPT example) and 4.

Your feedback comes in a handy table like this:

How to use this table

1. The Section is broad guide as to where the issue is in your draft

2. Use Original Content to search in your editing software,

   Select and copy it then Ctrl + F in your doc and search for the line.

3. The Suggested Fix can be used as a departure point.

   I paste in the suggestion and make it another colour.
   Below the original. 100% of the time I mix the two and trim ChatGPT’s suggestion of excessive adjectives or adverbs. I tend to prefer sparser prose.
   Try this: “Can you try again with less cliches.” by definition ChatGPT’s prose is the average of literary fiction unless you specify otherwise. Asking to maintain you voice helps but not perfectly.

4. The Explanation helps with learning and understanding the suggestion.

5. Ask follow up questions using the No. of the row to direct ChatGPT efficiently.

6. ChaGTP will usually give you 5-7 in a batch. Let it know which ones you completed, which you don’t agree with, and that it can give you the next batch.

7. Note: Sometimes it will refer to an error more than once, at times this is due to not seeing your updates. Just let it know you’ve fixed it already.

The quest for a flawless process

This prompt is a step in that direction—tackling the revision process, showing before and after, and why so you can improve your craft.

Stay tuned for upcoming posts to further expand your writer's toolkit.

Keep writing,

Zane

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Did try this prompt out?

Let us know how it went. Or your thoughts or what you had for breakfast. 🍳

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