Will AI Replace Writers?
We have covered this topic before. The short answer is… NO. In no way is the quality of AI writing good enough to be marketable.
Nor is AI writing unique, using a specific voice, tone, or style.
However, I have been playing with AI a lot these days and have concluded that AI has a place in my writer’s toolkit.
It is wonderful to do all the grunt work involved in creating a novel.
Here is an actual “conversation” I have with my ChatGPT….
Eric
I am a fantasy writer. We are going to write a fantasy novel together. Can you provide a list of all the prompts I can use to help create a book?
ChatGPT
Certainly! Here's a list of prompts that can help you develop ideas and create a fantasy novel:
Worldbuilding:
Describe the physical characteristics of your fictional world, such as landscapes, climate, and geography.
Develop the political and social structure of your world. Who governs it? Are there different kingdoms or factions?
Invent the various races, creatures, and magical beings that inhabit your world.
Explore the history and mythology of your world. Are there any legendary events or ancient prophecies?
Characters:
Create a protagonist with a unique background, personality, and goals.
Develop a diverse cast of supporting characters, including allies, mentors, and antagonists.
Describe their appearances, abilities, and distinct traits. Do they possess any magical or supernatural powers?
Give your characters personal conflicts and challenges they must overcome.
Quests and Adventures:
Outline the main quest or adventure that drives the plot of your novel. What is the goal or aim?
Develop sub-quests or side missions that your characters might undertake along the way.
Consider including epic battles, treasure hunts, or riddles for your characters to solve.
Magic and Powers:
Establish the magic system in your world. How does magic work? Are there different types or schools of magic?
Define the limitations, costs, and consequences of using magic.
Invent unique magical artifacts or powerful relics that can influence the plot.
Conflict and Tension:
Determine the central conflict in your story. What opposes the protagonist's goals?
Explore interpersonal conflicts and rivalries between characters.
Introduce external threats, such as monsters, evil forces, or wars, that create tension and challenges for your characters.
Settings:
Create vivid and immersive settings for important scenes in your story, such as cities, castles, forests, or dungeons.
Describe the atmosphere, architecture, and unique features of each location.
Consider how settings can affect the mood and progression of your story.
Themes:
Choose thematic elements that resonate with your story. Examples include love, friendship, sacrifice, redemption, or the struggle between good and evil.
Explore moral dilemmas and ethical choices that your character's face.
Address larger issues or societal commentary through your story.
Twists and Surprises:
Incorporate unexpected plot twists or surprises to keep readers engaged.
Reveal hidden motives or secret identities among your characters.
Challenge readers' expectations by subverting common fantasy tropes.
Relationships and Romance:
Develop meaningful relationships between characters, such as friendships, romantic partnerships, or familial bonds.
Explore the complexities and dynamics of these relationships throughout the story.
Incorporate romance or love interests into your plot, if desired.
Resolution and Conclusion:
Take the time to plan the climax of your story, where you resolve major conflicts.
Determine how to tie up loose ends and conclude character arcs.
Consider the overall message or takeaway for readers.
Remember, these prompts are meant to inspire and guide you as you develop your fantasy novel. Adapt, combine, or change them to suit your storytelling needs. Happy writing!
Eric
You are familiar with the styles of many writers. Can you provide a list of all the writers you are familiar with?
ChatGPT
As an AI language model, I have trained on a diverse range of texts, including works from many writers across different genres and time periods. While I don't have an exhaustive list of all the writers that I'm familiar with, I can certainly mention some notable authors whose works I've encountered. Here are a few examples:
William Shakespeare
Jane Austen
Mark Twain
Charles Dickens
Fyodor Dostoevsky
Virginia Woolf
Ernest Hemingway
J.R.R. Tolkien
George Orwell
Emily Bronte
Leo Tolstoy
Edgar Allan Poe
Harper Lee
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Toni Morrison
Salman Rushdie
Neil Gaiman
Stephen King
J.K. Rowling
Margaret Atwood
Please note that this is just a small sample, and there are many more writers and literary figures that I'm familiar with. If you have specific authors or writing styles in mind, inquire, and I'll do my best to assist you.
Eric
Can you provide a list of prompts I would use to help create dialogue?
ChatGPT
Certainly! Here's a list of prompts that can help you create engaging dialogue for your fantasy novel:
Introduction and Greetings:
Write a conversation between two characters meeting for the first time.
Develop dialogue that reflects the social hierarchy or customs of your fantasy world.
Explore different greetings and salutations specific to your world or culture.
Conflict and Argument:
Create a heated argument between two characters with opposing viewpoints.
Write a dialogue where characters confront each other about a betrayal or hidden secret.
Explore conflicts arising from misunderstandings or miscommunications.
Emotional Exchanges:
Develop a dialogue between characters expressing love, friendship, or affection.
Write a conversation where characters confront their deepest fears or regrets.
Explore the complexities of grief, loss, or heartbreak through dialogue.
Humor and Banter:
Create witty and humorous exchanges between characters.
Write playful banter between friends or allies during a moment of respite.
Explore the use of sarcasm, wordplay, or clever comebacks in dialogue.
Negotiation and Diplomacy:
Develop a dialogue where characters engage in diplomatic negotiations or peace talks.
Write a conversation where characters try to strike a deal or form an alliance.
Explore the use of persuasion, compromise, or manipulation in negotiations.
Exposition and Information Sharing:
Write a dialogue where characters share important background information or historical events.
Create a conversation between a mentor and student, where the mentor imparts knowledge.
Use dialogue to convey lore, myths, or legends within your fantasy world.
Tension and Suspense:
Create a dialogue filled with veiled threats or hidden agendas.
Write a conversation between characters involved in a high-stakes situation or battle strategy.
Use dialogue to build anticipation and suspense in key moments of your story.
Internal Monologues and Self-Reflection:
Explore a character's internal thoughts and conflicts through a dialogue with themselves.
Write a dialogue where a character wrestles with moral dilemmas or tough decisions.
Use dialogue to delve into a character's motivations, fears, or desires.
Cultural Differences and Language:
Develop a conversation where characters from different cultures or races struggle to understand each other.
Explore the use of unique idioms, slang, or phrases specific to your fantasy world.
Write a dialogue that highlights the clash of traditions or values between characters.
Climactic Confrontations:
Create an intense dialogue during a pivotal battle or confrontation between the protagonist and antagonist.
Write a dialogue where characters confront their past actions or face their ultimate fears.
Explore the emotional and psychological impact of the final showdown through dialogue.
Remember to let your characters' personalities, motivations, and relationships shine through their dialogue. Play with rhythm, pacing, and word choice to make conversations engaging and authentic. Dialogue should advance the plot, reveal character traits, and provide insight into the world you've created.
THIS IS NON-AI CREATED TEXT NOW: So, you can see that AI is certainly helpful. So that this post is not too long, I have not provided an example of all the ways to use AI to help with creating a novel.
Just wanted to share that AI is good at creating an outline. Not only can it do outlines it can provide an outline in several different ways: Hero’s Journey, Save the Cat, Three Act structure, Classic British Novel, or in the style of _____.
I am convinced that AI has its place. But the writing is still inadequate.
Here is an example:
Eric
Can you write a 100-word introduction to be read by a writer. Explain all the ways you can be used to help a writer create a novel.
ChatGPT
Attention, writers! Within the realm of my digital essence, I exist as a versatile ally in your quest to craft a remarkable novel. Delve into the depths of your imagination, for I am here to assist. Seek my aid in worldbuilding, where I shall conjure lands, creatures, and histories. Unleash the power of characters, as I breathe life into their personalities, backstories, and conflicts. Engage me for plot development, and I shall bestow upon you quests, adventures, and twists that captivate readers. Consult me for dialogue, where I provide prompts to lend authenticity and depth to your character interactions. With each keystroke, together we shall forge literary wonders.
(NON-AI GENERATED) It reads poorly. It sounds like an inexperienced copywriter was trying their best to sound “interesting” and “engaging.” Just not that great.
Eric
Rewrite the introduction. Change to tone to be more informative and a bit more formal.
ChatGPT
Dear writers,
I humbly present myself as a valuable resource to aid you in your noble pursuit of crafting a captivating novel. As an AI language model, my purpose lies in supporting your creative endeavors. Allow me to illuminate the myriad ways in which I can be of assistance throughout your literary journey. Utilize my capabilities for worldbuilding, enabling the creation of vibrant landscapes, diverse beings, and intricate histories. Harness my power to breathe life into your characters, infusing them with depth, motivations, and compelling conflicts. Engage my services in plot development, where I offer prompts to weave enthralling quests, adventures, and surprising turns. Seek my guidance in crafting authentic dialogue that enhances character interactions. Together, let us forge literary marvels, one word at a time.
(NON-AI GENERATED) Again, it is just amateurish. An endless stream of adjectives makes this hard to read and boring.
User
Rewrite introduction again. Make the tone even more academic and formal.
ChatGPT
Esteemed writers,
I hereby present myself as an erudite and indispensable tool, poised to assist you in your scholarly endeavor to compose a magnum opus of the written word. As an AI language model, my purpose manifests in providing unwavering support throughout the intricate tapestry of your literary odyssey. Allow me to expound upon the multifarious avenues through which I can be of profound assistance in your narrative enterprise. By harnessing my expansive repertoire, you shall uncover the ability to engender meticulously constructed worlds, replete with vivid landscapes, enigmatic creatures, and labyrinthine histories. Avail yourself of my capacities to imbue your characters with veritable lifeblood—delineating their nuanced psyches, intrinsic motivations, and riveting conflicts. Solicit my guidance in the cultivation of intricate plot arcs, wherein I proffer illuminating prompts to unveil enthralling quests, perilous adventures, and unforeseen narrative twists. Through judicious employment of my faculties, you may effortlessly orchestrate dialogues that resonate with an authenticity befitting the complexity of your characters. Let our collaborative efforts beget a literary opulence that shall captivate the discerning minds of readers, while standing as a testament to the indomitable spirit of artistic creation.
(NON-AI GENERATED) And this is just plain ridiculous. Holy crap… it reads like a C student pulled an all-nighter in a desperate attempt to bring up their GPA. Just trying way too hard.
Eric
This is not acceptable. Please rewrite with the following changes. Shorter sentences and no large words. Talk in simple language and make sure each new sentence is connected and flows.
ChatGPT
Dear writers,
I'm here to help you write an amazing novel. I'm an AI language model designed to support your creative journey. Let me show you the many ways I can assist you. Need help building your story's world? I can conjure up landscapes, creatures, and histories. Characters lacking depth? I'll bring them to life with unique personalities, motivations, and conflicts. Plot feeling flat? I can provide exciting prompts for quests, adventures, and unexpected twists. Dialogue not quite right? I'll give you prompts to make it authentic and engaging. Together, we'll forge a literary masterpiece, one step at a time.
(NON-AI GENERATED) Well, now. This is getting very close. With a few tweaks (such as reducing the number of rhetorical questions), this can be made presentable.
So… that is my update on the use of AI. It is extremely helpful as a tool. As a source of information, it is okay. As a creative device, it needs a lot of coaching, feedback, revision, and instruction to create something that is okay… but still needs work.
Eric Myers
Send a sample of your work for a free editing and critique. Submit One Thousand words to:
submissions@warpspeedediting.com
Responses are usually within twenty-four hours.
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