Skip to main content

Five Writing Scenarios: From Stuck to Output

If you only remember one principle, remember this: AI should help you enter writing state faster, not replace your thinking.

These five scenarios are the most common among Obsidian users.

Scenario 1: Blank start, no idea where to begin​

Try this:

  1. tell AI your topic and intended reader
  2. ask for 3 possible angles
  3. pick one angle and write 200 words first

Prompt examples:

  • Break this topic into 3 workable angles
  • Give me one opening idea for each angle

Goal: start moving, not perfect the first draft.

Scenario 2: “I wrote this before, but cannot find it”​

Try this:

  1. describe what you need in natural language
  2. ask AI for the most relevant historical note snippets
  3. pull those snippets into your current draft

Prompt examples:

  • What old notes do I have on this topic?
  • Organize them into viewpoint / evidence / conclusion

Goal: turn old notes into current writing fuel.

Scenario 3: Draft exists, but logic is messy​

Try this:

  1. ask AI to diagnose structure problems first
  2. ask for a reordered outline
  3. decide final structure yourself

Prompt examples:

  • What structural issues are in this draft?
  • Propose a clearer outline while keeping my core points

Goal: fix structure before style polishing.

Scenario 4: Many fragments, no clear organization​

Try this:

  1. cluster fragments by topic
  2. extract 3-5 core claims
  3. attach one example to each claim

Prompt examples:

  • Group these fragments by topic
  • For each topic, summarize the key sentence I want to say

Goal: turn “many thoughts” into “clear expression.”

Scenario 5: Long projects break mid-way​

Try this:

  1. leave a “next-entry point” after each session
  2. run one weekly mini review
  3. ask AI to update project progress summary

Prompt examples:

  • Summarize this week’s progress from recent notes
  • What 3 priorities should I push next week?

Goal: keep continuity instead of relying on occasional bursts.

One-Line Summary​

  • blank page: split angles first
  • stuck progress: retrieve old notes first
  • messy draft: fix structure first
  • fragmented materials: cluster first
  • long cycle: protect rhythm first

Next Reading​