Pseudoprose
[[
pseudoprose is pseudocode[^1] for writers.
## how to
- write english, spanish, whatever.
- grammar optional.
- markdown encouraged.
- embed in any doc with `[[...]]` brackets.
- use `{...}` for comments.
- use `<<...>>` for LLM instructions.
- "tk" means "todo".
## why
- jot notes/ideas quickly.
- semantics over syntax.
- less text to edit.
- foist gruntwork on llms.
## tips
pseudoprose makes better writers.
my advice rests on unsubstantiated claims:
<<create table-of-contents from h3 titles below.>>
### build with svo.
study sentences.
svo[^2] makes solid foundation.
practice with toki pona[^3].
construct lean subjects and objects.
choose load-bearing adjectives.
erect compound sentences from basic clauses.
writers overuse commas. {commas are for cowards.}
omit "and"/"but"/"so" without adding ambiguity.
### celebrate strong verbs.
strong verbs bear weight.
"is"/"are"/"do" laze around.
use adverbs sparingly.
e.g. prefer "rocketed" over "went fast".
### create arguments.
structure your thoughts.
form propositions[^4],
qualify opinions,
cite axioms,
etc.
hunt for holes; the essay writes itself.
### expand fractally.
write via nondeterministic recursive algorithm.
perform any transformation until satisfied:
- write a sentence.
- replace weak sentence with more sentences.
- delete nonsense.
e.g.
"she slept."
becomes
"she dreamt of clowns. she woke up in her car."
### qualify later.
watch out for implied qualifications.
"people eat" does not equal "most people eat".
"usually" wrecks text.
don't water down verbs.
make subject/object more specific.
always avoid superlatives.
### measure twice, prompt once.
gpt4 produced the markdown at <https://taylor.town/pseudoprose>.
tweak the following prompt:
```
I'm going to provide pseudoprose as input.
I want a well-formatted markdown document as output.
- Use my exact words unless there is a grammatical mistake.
- When possible, replace footnotes with markdown links.
- Omit everything in braces (e.g. {this is a comment}).
- Replace anything in double angle-brackets with its output.
- "tk" means "todo". Replace every "tk" with a sensible guess.
example 1:
"[[she hid her wedding ring in a bag of doritos.]]"
"She hid her wedding ring in a bag of Doritos."
example 2:
"[[sarah likes coffee. sam prefers tea {chai?}.]]"
"Sarah likes coffee. Sam prefers tea."
example 3:
"[[fido licked his paw and barked. <<change fido to a cat>>]]"
"Fido licked his paw and meowed."
example 4:
"[[i wore a fuzzy green tk to prom.]]"
"I wore a fuzzy green jacket to prom."
input:
```
---
[^1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudocode
[^2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subject–verb–object_word_order
[^3]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toki_Pona
[^4]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proposition
]]Pseudoprose
Pseudoprose is pseudocode for writers.
How to
- Write in English, Spanish, whatever.
- Grammar is optional.
- Markdown is encouraged.
-
Embed in any document with
[[...]]brackets. -
Use
{...}for comments. -
Use
<<...>>for LLM instructions. - “tk” means “todo”.
Why
- Jot down notes/ideas quickly.
- Focus on semantics over syntax.
- Less text to edit.
- Offload grunt work to LLMS.
Tips
Pseudoprose makes better writers.
My advice rests on unsubstantiated claims:
- Build with SVO
- Celebrate Strong Verbs
- Create Arguments
- Expand Fractally
- Qualify Later
- Measure Twice, Prompt Once
Build with SVO
Study sentences. SVO makes a solid foundation. Practice with Toki Pona.
Build lean subjects and objects. Choose load-bearing adjectives.
Erect compound sentences from basic clauses. Writers overuse commas. Omit “and”/“but”/“so” without adding ambiguity.
Celebrate Strong Verbs
Strong verbs bear weight. “Is”/“are”/“do” laze around.
Use adverbs sparingly. Prefer “rocketed” over “went fast”.
Create Arguments
Structure your thoughts.
Form propositions, qualify opinions, cite axioms, etc.
Hunt for holes; the essay writes itself.
Expand Fractally
Write via a nondeterministic recursive algorithm. Perform any transformation until satisfied:
- Write a sentence.
- Replace weak sentence with more sentences.
- Delete nonsense.
Example: “She slept.” becomes “She dreamt of clowns. She woke up in her car.”
Qualify Later
Watch out for implied qualifications. “People eat” does not equal “most people eat”.
“Usually” wrecks text. Don’t water down verbs. Make the subject/object more specific.
Always avoid superlatives.
Measure Twice, Prompt Once.
GPT-4 produced the markdown at https://taylor.town/pseudoprose.
Tweak the following prompt:
I'm going to provide pseudoprose as input.
I want a well-formatted markdown document as output.
- Use my exact words unless there is a grammatical mistake.
- When possible, replace footnotes with markdown links.
- Omit everything in braces (e.g. {this is a comment}).
- Replace anything in double angle-brackets with its output.
- "tk" means "todo". Replace every "tk" with a sensible guess.
example 1:
"[[she hid her wedding ring in a bag of doritos.]]"
"She hid her wedding ring in a bag of Doritos."
example 2:
"[[sarah likes coffee. sam prefers tea {chai?}.]]"
"Sarah likes coffee. Sam prefers tea."
example 3:
"[[fido licked his paw and barked. <<change fido to a cat>>]]"
"Fido licked his paw and meowed."
example 4:
"[[i wore a fuzzy green tk to prom.]]"
"I wore a fuzzy green jacket to prom."
input: