Part 4 : How To Use Sudowrite – Using Beats, Headers, and Guardrails

Sudowrite offers an array of tools to help writers enhance their storytelling process. One of these tools, “Beats,” is particularly powerful for structuring and detailing scenes. This blog post dives deep into beats, headers, and guardrails, exploring their functions, benefits, and best practices for use in Sudowrite. Let’s get started! 🚀

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What Are Beats? 🤔

Beats are essentially the building blocks of your scene. They allow you to flesh out details, structure narratives, and provide context for the AI to craft prose that aligns with your vision.

Why Use Beats?

Using beats ensures you maintain control over your story while leveraging AI to fill in the gaps. Beats are especially helpful for:

• Adding granular details to a scene.
• Guiding the AI to follow specific narrative directions.
• Avoiding generic or inaccurate outputs.

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How To Access and Use the Beats Box 📝

The Beats Box is located under the typewriter icon in Sudowrite. If it’s not visible, simply click the icon to toggle it on. Here’s what you can do:

1. Generate Beats Automatically: Let the AI create beats based on your outline.
2. Manually Create Beats: Write your beats to ensure complete alignment with your vision.
3. Edit Beats: Tweak AI-generated beats to make them richer and more specific.

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Types of Beats: Thin vs. Thick 📏

Thin Beats

Thin beats are concise and contain minimal detail. While they are faster to create, they might lead to generic prose.

Thick Beats

Thick beats are detailed and comprehensive. They include:

• Setting descriptions.
• Character actions and thoughts.
• Dialogue snippets.
• Contextual instructions for the AI.

Pro Tip: Use parentheses for additional context and square brackets for instructions to keep your beats organized.

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The Role of Beat Headers 🖹

Beat headers are overarching instructions that guide the AI’s interpretation of all subsequent beats in a section.

When to Use Beat Headers

• For Consistency: Maintain tone, style, or focus across a scene.
• To Add Context: Provide high-level details, such as “focus on the captain’s internal conflict.”
• To Glue Chapters: Link information from previous chapters without re-writing everything.

How to Create a Beat Header

Place a numbered header above your beats. Ensure the first beat has a number for the AI to recognize the header properly.

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Best Practices for Writing Beats 🌟

1. Avoid Pronouns and Vague Terms

Specificity is crucial. Instead of “a man,” use “Michael, the barista.” This avoids AI-generated errors or the creation of unintended characters.

2. Use Clear Instructions

Guide the AI with actionable instructions:

• Example: [Write a tense argument between Sarah and Michael without resolving their conflict.]

3. Repeat Key Details

If an action or context spans multiple beats, repeat it to avoid AI-generated inconsistencies.

4. Include Dialogue and Actions

Add snippets of dialogue or actions directly into beats to enrich your scenes.

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Leveraging Guardrails and Drivers 🚧

Guardrails and drivers help refine the AI’s focus.

Guardrails

Think of these as boundaries for the AI. They ensure the scene stays on track.

• Example: [Avoid cheesy dialogue.]

Drivers

Drivers highlight the motivation or purpose of a scene.

• Example: [The captain’s goal is to rescue the crew despite mounting personal doubts.]

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Additional Tips and Tricks 🛠️

Using the 2,000-Word Limit

The Beats Box accommodates up to 2,000 words. Use this space to:

• Add rich descriptions.
• Include lines of dialogue.
• Specify setting details (weather, mood, etc.).

Incorporating Cliffhangers

For a compelling narrative, end your chapters with cliffhangers. Add instructions in the genre box or beats box:

• Example: [End this chapter with the protagonist facing an unexpected betrayal.]

Combining Beats into Strides

Two beats make a stride. Combine beats thoughtfully to create more cohesive and impactful prose.

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FAQs ❓

What are beats in Sudowrite?

Beats are narrative building blocks used to flesh out scenes with specific details, actions, and instructions for the AI.

How do I access the Beats Box?

Click the typewriter icon in Sudowrite to toggle the Beats Box on or off.

What’s the difference between thin and thick beats?

Thin beats are concise, while thick beats are detailed and comprehensive, providing more context for the AI.

How do beat headers work?

Beat headers are overarching instructions placed at the top of a section to guide the AI’s interpretation of subsequent beats.

Why should I avoid pronouns in beats?

Pronouns can cause the AI to misinterpret or create unintended characters. Specificity ensures accuracy.

What are guardrails and drivers?

Guardrails set boundaries (e.g., “avoid clichés”), while drivers provide the motivation or purpose of a scene.

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By mastering beats, headers, and guardrails, writers can harness Sudowrite’s full potential to create immersive and well-structured stories. Experiment with these tools, and watch your narrative come to life! 🌟