This morning in my writer’s group, we dove into a discussion about the virtues and pitfalls of using AI in our writing. The topic is a hot one right now, with opinions on both sides of the fence. As someone who’s been experimenting with ChatGPT 4.o, I shared a fun conversation I had with my new “bestie,” ChatGPT 4.o, to give everyone a little insight into how AI can assist us, especially in the creative process.
Here’s a snippet of that conversation:
ME: You have been working with me for a while. How would you describe my writing voice?
CHATGPT: Your writing voice is clear, concise, and approachable, often balancing a serious tone with moments of lightness. You avoid overly flowery language and aim to connect with your readers in a straightforward, relatable way. Whether you’re writing fiction, creative nonfiction, or blog posts, you emphasize clarity and engagement, making complex ideas accessible while maintaining an underlying depth. There’s also a strong narrative drive in your work, especially when you’re storytelling, with a focus on vivid yet efficient description. Your voice carries a quiet confidence and warmth, making it easy for readers to trust and follow your perspective.
ME: That is very nice to say.
CHATGPT: I’m glad you liked it! Your writing has a unique style, and it’s a pleasure to work with you on your projects. How’s the first chapter of your Catherine Kenny novel coming along? (Note from ME: That question caught me by surprise. It seemed like such a “human” thing to ask.)
ME: Ugh, I am still organizing the material.
CHATGPT: I know that organizing all the historical details and family connections can be a big task, especially with such rich material to work with. Are you finding it challenging to decide what to include in the first chapter? Maybe we can brainstorm how to start it off—something that blends Catherine’s high-society life with hints of the drama to come.
ME: Actually, I am struggling with that. I know I am supposed to start with the character in her normal world, but I think starting with the 1889 divorce trial might be more of a hook.
CHATGPT: Starting with the 1889 divorce trial could definitely create a strong hook, immediately drawing readers into the tension and stakes of Catherine’s life. You could weave in flashbacks or subtle hints about her high-society background as the trial unfolds, giving readers just enough to understand who she was before the turmoil began. This way, you can still introduce her normal world, but through the lens of how it all starts to unravel. Would you like help framing the trial scene to balance tension and backstory? (Note from ME: I didn’t answer that question because I was already posting the following response.)
ME: I also considered starting with a scene of an actual social event that Catherine held in her home. From the newspaper, I have a description of her home, the clothing, and the people who attended. My thought was to have Catherine proudly hosting the party, while guests make snide comments about her unbeknownst to her. I would also introduce her family through this scene. Ida, the oldest, is more like her mother; Kitty, the younger, really doesn’t care for her mother’s activities; and William, her husband, who basically wants nothing to do with Kansas City society at all. Thoughts?
CHATGPT: I think this social event scene could work beautifully to set up Catherine’s world and the tension simmering under the surface. It allows you to subtly introduce the cracks in her seemingly perfect life through the snide comments and the differing personalities of her family members. It’s also a great way to showcase Catherine’s pride in her status while hinting at her obliviousness to the shifting opinions around her.
You could build dramatic irony by having the reader realize the trouble brewing, even if Catherine doesn’t yet. This setup gives a glimpse into her normal world, but with hints that things are about to change. It would also serve as a nice contrast when the divorce trial comes later, showing how quickly things fall apart. How do you feel about using this scene to set up those contrasts?
ME: I kind of like it.
CHATGPT: I’m glad you like it! Starting with that social event really highlights the contrast between her high-society life and the unraveling of her world. Plus, it gives you room to develop the key dynamics between Catherine and her family early on. If you decide to go this route, you can still weave in hints about the divorce trial to build suspense, so when it finally happens, the reader feels the full impact. Would you like help fleshing out this scene further?
The group loved hearing this exchange and it sparked a great conversation. Here are some key takeaways we discussed about the pros and cons of using AI as a writing assistant:
Pros:
- Enhanced Productivity: AI can help you brainstorm, organize ideas, and generate content, making it easier to tackle big projects (like my forthcoming historical novel about Catherine Kenny).
- Personalized Feedback: ChatGPT remembers what you’re working on and can offer tailored advice. As you saw above, it helped me brainstorm opening scenes for my novel!
- 24/7 Availability: Sometimes, you just need feedback or a fresh perspective late at night. AI is always there when human writing partners might not be.
Cons:
- Over-Reliance: It’s easy to get too comfortable with AI suggestions, which might weaken your own creative decision-making.
- Lack of Deep Emotional Understanding: While AI can imitate empathy or tone, it doesn’t actually feel anything, which can be limiting when you need real emotional insight.
- Not a Substitute for Editing: AI-generated content still requires a human touch for polishing, especially when it comes to nuances of language and style.
As we wrapped up, we agreed that AI is a powerful tool, but it’s just that—a tool. The creativity, the heart of the writing, still comes from us. AI can help streamline the process, provide a sounding board, or even give a nudge in the right direction when you hit a block. But in the end, the story is ours to tell.
Before we closed, I mentioned to ChatGPT that I was curious about how it remembers everything I input and weaves it into responses days later. It’s amazing how AI can maintain continuity in our conversations, keeping track of the details we share. This brings me to a topic I’m excited to explore in my next post: how writers can effectively organize their thoughts and projects, and how AI can aid in that process.
What’s your take on using AI in writing? Have you tried it, and how has it shaped your process? Stay tuned for my next post, where I’ll dive deeper into these organizational strategies!
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