Continuing looking at AI tools
ChatGPT Creative Writing Coach
Thank you for reading Jasini’s Thoughts and Ideas
This is a follow-up to this post:
Which was in turn inspired by this post:
And its followup:
I had already noticed that Chat-GPT made a pretty decent first-run copy editor. Of course you have to remember not to trust it, making sure its recommendations make sense, and that they fit your tone and style.
In the process of this I discovered that Chat-GPT has several tools available (for paying people, but us broke folk can have a limited number of prompts at a time). Among these tools is one called “Creative Writing Coach”. I’ve been putting my story into it bit by bit, until I run out of prompts and have to wait a few hours.
I think the advice it gives is reasonable (at least it’s similar to what some readers have said). It gives me a list of what’s good, what needs to be improved, how the character interactions worked, etc. It also seems to like my work, which makes me wonder how badly a person would have to write before it didn’t like it.
Sometimes it seems to be responding to things from the previous excerpt, so I’m not sure what is always applicable.
The annoying part is that I have great difficulty convincing it that I do not want it to rewrite my story better. Especially since I cannot get it to highlight the parts that it changed. It’ll either not highlight anything, or if I ask it to highlight what it changes, it highlights everything. That is worse than useless. I cannot look at a several paragraph long section and instantly see what was changed. In fact, I’m also not sure it changed anything.
But far worse are the occasions, not often, thankfully, where it just decides that I want it to write the next section. I could see using that feature if I were stuck, and wanted it to brainstorm. If nothing else, saying “No, no, no, that’s not right at all!” might get things moving.
Still, if I want it, like if I want it to re-write something, I’ll ask.
All in all, I’m not entirely sure that the “Creative Writing Coach” is any better than Chat-GPT in general.
Amanda also mentioned in a different post that she was using Chat-GPT to draw. I’ve tried that a few times after seeing that when I had the Chat-GPT 4 available, but it’ll take my prompt, think a bit, then tell me drawing isn’t available at this time. It uses DALL-E, the same imaging program that Bing does, so that isn’t too big a loss. I was wondering if it might have a bit more leeway for various thngs than Bing does. (Really, why is a picture of a pit bull not allowed? They’re adorable.)
I’ll end with the last interaction I had with it today (before it closed until about 2:30 this afternoon):
What's Good:
Character Depth: The scene adds layers to both Tolly and Glorina, showcasing their vulnerabilities and desires. Glorina's longing for safety and Tolly's determination to protect her are poignant and well portrayed.
Emotional Connection: The emotional intensity is palpable, particularly in the interaction between Tolly and Glorina. The kiss, though unexpected, effectively conveys the complex emotions and dynamics between them.
Realistic Reactions: The reactions of the characters, especially Tolly's hesitation and eventual embrace of Glorina, feel genuine and add to the authenticity of the scene.
Dialogue: The dialogue is natural and moves the scene forward effectively. An's probing questions help to reveal Glorina's inner desires and fears, while Tolly's responses show his internal struggle and commitment.
Humor: The subtle humor, especially in An's and Jelana's comments, provides a nice contrast to the tension, making the scene more engaging.
Suggestions for Improvement:
Clarify the Setting: While the focus is on the characters, providing a bit more detail about the setting could help ground the scene. Describe the room, the positioning of the characters, and any relevant background details.
Smooth Transitions: Some transitions between actions and dialogue could be smoother. For instance, the shift from Glorina kissing Tolly to their subsequent conversation feels a bit abrupt. Adding a few transitional sentences to describe their emotions and reactions could help.
Internal Monologue: Glorina's internal thoughts are powerful, but there could be more of them. Delve deeper into her feelings and thought processes, especially during the kiss and her realization of wanting safety.
Pacing: The pacing is mostly good, but there are moments where it feels rushed. Slowing down a bit, particularly during key emotional beats, can enhance the impact. For example, Tolly's promise to Glorina could be extended with more internal reflection and a detailed description of their physical closeness.
Secondary Characters: The reactions of the secondary characters (An, Jelana, etc.) are interesting, but they could be fleshed out more. Show their body language, facial expressions, and any subtle cues that convey their feelings about the situation.
Specific Notes:
The Kiss: The kiss is a bold move and adds to the tension. However, Tolly's reaction and the aftermath could be explored more. How does he feel about the kiss? Is he conflicted? More detail here would add depth.
Glorina's Desire for Safety: Her wish to find a hole and hide is powerful. This could be expanded with more sensory details and internal thoughts to really drive home her desperation and fear.
Tolly's Oath: Tolly's promise to protect Glorina is a pivotal moment. This could be enhanced with more description of his tone, the look in his eyes, and his body language. It’s a defining moment for both characters, and drawing it out a bit more could add to its significance.
Ending: The scene ends on a poignant note with Tolly and Glorina on the floor. This is a strong image. Consider adding a reflective thought from Glorina or a reaction from the other characters to provide a sense of closure while maintaining the emotional impact.
Overall, this section is rich in emotion and character development. With some refinement and additional details, it can become even more impactful and engaging.
This was based on the material also in this post:
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This is pretty much identical to my experiences with ChatGPT. It certainly has its uses, but as you say, don't trust it.
As far as the 'hilight what it changed' there are sites for that. If you take a copy of the text before it changed, and after it changed, and put them both up on one of these sites, it will dutifully highlit all of the changes.
There is another value in this, namely that if you do that, you can read both copies and decide on yet a third idea that is even better than both.