Prompt Like a Pro: Why AI is Your Creative Mad Libs
Reading time: 2 minutes and 41 seconds
Let’s be honest: for us creatives, prompting an AI can feel a little mysterious. Like you’re supposed to know the secret code that unlocks its genius—or risk getting a quilt made entirely of chicken emojis🐔🐓. But here’s the truth about prompting that I dive into in my book, Digital
Muse: Bringing AI Into Your Creative Process. Prompting isn’t about technical wizardry. It’s about creative clarity.
In fact, crafting a great prompt is a lot like filling out a Mad Lib. You don’t have to be a poet or a programmer—you just need to know what blanks you want to fill in. The AI brings structure, speed, and endless options. You bring the weird, wonderful spark.
So when I hear someone say, “I don’t know how to prompt,” I say: “Have you ever done a Mad Lib?” Great. You already know how.
Think of It Like This
There are a set of (possibly subconscious) inputs your brain goes through when deciding on a quilt design. I go over list of a dozen specific inputs in my book, but there are probably dozens more. If you think of these inputs as replacing the “fill in the blank” part of MadLibs, you’re well
on your way to a great prompt.
Here’s a Mad Lib to Try for Yourself
Fill in the blanks and reveal your next quilt design idea!
1. A bold color: ___________
2. A shape (plural): ___________
3. An unexpected material: ___________
4. A feeling or emotion: ___________
Now plug them into this prompt:
“Create an image for a quilt inspired by (4), using a palette of (1). The blocks feature repeating (2), and I’m experimenting with (3) for texture.”
Honestly? Here’s my result and I kinda love it. I’ll make some tweaks to it (I don’t like the texture), but I’m well on my way to a creation!
This exercise isn’t just for laughs—it’s a way to demystify the creative process. AI doesn’t replace your artistry; it reflects it. It magnifies it. And like any good muse, it responds best when you show up with curiosity and direction. Don’t overthink the prompt. Just imagine what you’d say to a creative partner who works fast and never sleeps. You’re not writing code. You’re starting a conversation. There’s always a follow up until you’re done talking. In time you will be able to come up with your own reusable Mad Lib-style prompts.
And the best part? You can’t break it. Try something weird. Try something poetic. Try something completely unhinged.
The worst-case scenario? You get a quilt full of chicken emojis.
The best-case scenario? A masterpiece you didn’t know was hiding in your imagination.
Ready to play?
Fill out the Mad Lib above, post it, and tag your results with #theaiquilter. I want to see what your digital muse dreams up.
Hey there, I’m Theresa, The AI Quilter. I’m here to help you connect technology and creativity in ways that feel human, creative, and completely your own.
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