Blank Page Syndrome, otherwise known as "Writer's Block", is an issue that many were familiar with before AI. For me, using AI tools helped me break through this problem because an agent could be used to help me develop a kernel of an idea into something full-fledged. Recently, however, I have found that there are times when the kernel is not even there yet. The idea is more like a wispy mirage. Or maybe a dream you can't quite remember. Other times, I know what I want to produce but the ideas are very complex and it is hard for me to synthesize them into a single prompt.
This feels like a modern version of the Blank Page Syndrome. Maybe we could call it "Blank Prompt Syndrome". Where one can't quite find the perfect words to communicate what I'm trying to produce.
In this situation, I have been using "Agent Interviews" to further crystallize my thoughts. This practice involves you flipping the conversational roles with your agent. Instead of you providing the raw input that is then refined into some action or task, the agent leads the conversation, acting less like a brainless intern and more like a requirements-gathering assistant. This property of the technique is especially useful for complex, layered thoughts; I find that it can help to cut to the core of your vision.
Prompting
In the simplest form the prompt pattern is:
I want to write an article on my new bike design.
Interview me until you have enough info. Ask me
one question at a time.
Note that this prompt instructs the agent to ask one question at a time. I find this makes for better agent questions and it gives more space to be thoughtful. You can set a finite number of questions, but I have had a lot of luck letting AI lead the dance here.
The chief benefit of this approach is that you now have a clear idea or ideas to build on plus you have a warmed up agent ready to build with you. Furthermore, agents tend to be pretty good at surfacing "unknown unknowns". They ask the kind of questions you might not be thinking about and that clarifies your thinking.
I highly recommend this pattern for any kind of writing, whether it be biographical or creative but it can also be used for engineering.
I have a vague idea for a [System/Feature]. Ask me
5 technical questions to help you design the architecture
This trick has helped me write more and build better. I encourage you to try it the next time you get stuck.