Writers who use OpenClaw seriously tend to use it differently from other AI tools. The persistent memory and messaging integration change the workflow in practical ways. Here's how to make the most of it.
Set Up Your Writer SOUL.md
The most important configuration for writers is teaching OpenClaw your voice. This happens in SOUL.md:
# Writing Assistant
## My Voice
- Tone: [conversational/authoritative/lyrical/direct — describe yours]
- Sentence style: [short and punchy / varied rhythm / complex]
- Vocabulary: [plain language / literary / technical]
- Things I never write: [filler phrases you hate, clichés to avoid]
## Writing Rules
- Never use passive voice unless I specifically ask
- Don't suggest adding content — I'll ask if I want more
- When editing, preserve my voice; don't sanitise it
- Flag clichés but don't auto-replace them — show me what you found
## Project Context
- Current main project: [your project name and brief description]
- Secondary projects: [list any]
- Target publication: [blog / book / newsletter / etc.]
- Audience: [describe your readers]
## Feedback Style
- When reviewing my drafts: lead with structural issues, then line-level
- Use line references when giving specific feedback
- One suggestion at a time unless I ask for a full critique
Once this is set, every OpenClaw session starts with this context — no re-explaining your style.
Capturing Ideas on the Go
One of the most practical uses: capturing ideas when you're not at your desk.
Send a WhatsApp message:
Blog idea: [rough idea]
Context: [why this came up, what sparked it]
Save under project: [project name]
OpenClaw stores it in memory with context. Later, when you ask "what blog ideas did I capture this week?", you get the full list with the reasoning behind each one.
For fiction writers:
Character idea: [character name or descriptor]
Notes: [personality traits, backstory fragment, what role they might play]
Add to project: [novel name]
Drafting Templates
Blog Post First Draft
Write a first draft of a blog post on: [topic]
Target length: [word count]
Audience: [describe]
Angle: [your specific take or hook]
Include: [specific sections, examples, or points to cover]
Voice: match my established style from SOUL.md
Newsletter Section
Write the [opening/main story/close] section for this week's newsletter.
Topic: [this week's theme or story]
Tone: warm and personal, like I'm writing to someone I know
Max [word count] words.
Fiction Scene
Write a scene with the following beats:
- [beat 1]
- [beat 2]
- [beat 3]
Characters involved: [names from my project memory]
POV: [character name]
Setting: [brief description]
Keep it in my established voice for [project name].
Essay Opening
Write three different opening paragraphs for an essay on: [topic]
Approach 1: Start with a provocative claim
Approach 2: Start with a specific scene or moment
Approach 3: Start with a question
I'll choose one and continue from there.
Editing and Refinement
Structural Edit
Review the structure of this draft:
[paste draft]
Questions:
1. Is the argument/narrative clear?
2. Does the pacing work?
3. Where does it drag or lose focus?
4. What's missing?
Don't line-edit yet — just structure.
Line Edit
Line-edit the following passage for:
1. Clarity — cut anything unclear
2. Rhythm — vary sentence length where it feels flat
3. Voice — flag anything that doesn't sound like me
[paste passage]
Show me each suggested change with the original alongside.
Headline/Title Options
Write 10 headline options for: [topic/post description]
Mix of:
- Direct/clear
- Curiosity gap
- How-to format
- Bold claim
I'll pick or combine.
Tightening
Cut this by 20% without losing meaning or voice:
[paste text]
Show me the edited version, then briefly explain what you cut and why.
Long-Form Project Management
For books, courses, or serialised content, OpenClaw's memory becomes a project management layer:
Project Bible Setup
Create a project bible for my [novel/course/series].
I'll feed you the details over several messages.
Start with: Title: [title], Genre/Type: [genre], Core premise: [one sentence]
As the project develops:
Update the character sheet for [character name]:
New information: [what you've decided about them]
This changes: [what was previously noted about them, if anything]
Continuity Check
Based on what you know about [project name], does this plot point create any continuity issues?
[describe the plot point]
Research Integration
I'm researching [topic] for chapter [X] of [project].
Key questions I need answered:
1. [question 1]
2. [question 2]
3. [question 3]
After answering, store the key facts as research notes for [project name].
Content Repurposing
Take this blog post and create:
1. A Twitter/X thread (7–10 tweets, each standalone)
2. A LinkedIn post (professional tone, 150 words)
3. A newsletter intro paragraph (first-person, warm)
[paste original post]
What Not to Use OpenClaw For
Your final voice. Use OpenClaw for drafts and structure — but your final pass should be yours. AI-generated prose that hasn't been touched by the author usually shows.
Replacing your thinking. The best use of AI for writing is handling the mechanical work (formatting, structural analysis, research gathering) so you can spend more time thinking. Using it to do the thinking for you produces generic work.
High-stakes submissions without review. Always read AI drafts before they go anywhere. The model doesn't know your editor's preferences or the publication's standards.
Related reading: