How ChatGPT Saves Me Oodles of Time

Published 2 days ago • 3 min read

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How ChaptGPT Saved Me Oodles of Time Putting the Finishing Touches on My Brief Books

What I Use It For and Why

I’ve found many uses for ChatGPT in writing brief books

From brainstorming titles and subtitles to the most minor details that constitute what I’d call the finishing touches to my brief books.

Here’s a screenshot of one of these:

Screenshot of ChatGPT output to a prompt requesting captions and page headers for a brief book. — Authors often overlook page headers, chapter graphic captions, and Substack-ready alt text, but ChatGPT suggested these on its own.

ChatGPT not only suggested chapter-specific page headers (something I hadn’t thought about), but also Substack-ready aly text for the graphic illustrations in each chapter.

Let’s step back a moment…

I’d engaged with the chatbot for days discussing the ideas, organization, direction, and design of the book.

We talked about potential structures for all four books in the series, sturctures, outline formats, the supporting chapters for each, etc.

It was during these days of conversations that I came to realize that ChaptGPT was less like a machine and very much like an unpaid research assistant who never complained, worked 27/7, and always complimented my ideas (unless they trukly sucked).

She (and yes, she seems like a she) deserved a name and I now call her Charlene.

Because Charlene saved our discussions and archived a condensed number of saved memories, her AI component not only suggested the results she could create, but by doing so, allowed me to create a prompt that delivered precisely what I needed, right down to the alt text for the images.

Here’s the prompt I came up with that resulted in Charlene’s output:

Please provide me with a full set of captions for the illustrations, page headers, and Substack-ready alt text for Chapters 2 through 8. These should reflect the tone and format of Book #1, BRIEF BOOKS BLUEPRINT, and create a guide through the metaphor-rich journey I’ve created for planning a brief book.

Here’s another screenshot of Charlene’s response to the prompt

Subtitles, page headers, photo captions, and more

If you’re not using Charlene, uh, excuse me.. that’s ChatGPT to you, Mister… you’re missing out on several benefits:

1. Idea Clarity and Refinement

ChatGPT can help turn vague, half-formed ideas into clear, focused book concepts by asking guiding questions, testing angles, and identifying your best hook.

Example: “Is your book about mindfulness for parents or mindfulness at work? Let’s define the primary audience.”

2. Instant Title and Subtitle Brainstorming

Within seconds, ChatGPT can generate dozens of potential titles and subtitles based on your core idea, helping you find the one that hits the mark.

Bonus: It can even match tone — professional, playful, minimalist, etc.

3. Custom-Tailored Outline Formats

Stuck on how to structure your book? ChatGPT can recommend and build outlines using models like:

The 5 W’s
Problem/Solution
Step-by-step frameworks
Hybrid or thematic chapters

You can even ask it to match the format to your content style or audience.

4. Audience-Focused Messaging

ChatGPT can help refine your Promise, Path, and Payoff by simulating your reader’s questions, needs, and objections — ensuring you’re writing the book they want to read, not just the one you want to write.

5. Creative Momentum and Support

The hardest part of writing is often starting. ChatGPT gives you a brainstorming partner who’s always available, never judgmental, and endlessly generative.

It reduces friction, increases confidence, and keeps the project moving forward — even when you’re stuck.