Val Neil

Dark Fantasy Author

How to Use ChatGPT as an Author

by

ChatGPT is an amazing AI tool. From idea generation to refining your process, here are five ways I’ve been using it.

Intelligent Searching

Authors research a lot of random stuff, and not all of it is easy to find. I often find myself scrolling through tons of listicles, hoping to find that ONE thing I’m searching for. ChatGPT allows you to narrow it down. For example, I needed an Italian expression from the 1600s. I found many articles, but they’re sorted by categories that weren’t particularly helpful for narrowing things down. So I asked ChatGPT.

Me: I need an Italian expression or idiom on living life to the fullest, or taking risks. I needs to have been around since the 1600s. ChatGPT: One Italian expression that fits your criteria is "Chi non risica, non rosica," which roughly translates to "He who doesn't take risks, doesn't nibble." This idiom has been around since the 1600s and conveys the idea that taking risks can lead to greater rewards in life. Me: Do you know how far the phrase can be traced? ChatGPT: The phrase "Chi non risica, non rosica" has been in use in the Italian language for at least a few centuries, but its exact origins are unclear. It is a common expression in Italian, and it is possible that it has been used in various forms for even longer than the 1600s. However, without further historical documentation, it is difficult to trace its exact origins beyond this timeframe.

You still have to fact check what you find. ChatGPT pulls information from a variety of sources and not all of them will be accurate. For example, when I asked it for Russian dog names it gave me one that was incorrect.

Me: My research is telling me Koda is the shortened form of Dakota, and Native American in origin, not Russian. ChatGPT: You are correct, my apologies for the error. Koda is indeed a Native American name meaning "friend" or "companion", and not of Russian origin. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Here are some alternative Russian dog names you might consider:

While not perfect, it can drastically decrease the amount of time spent Googling stuff. I’ve asked it for the story beats of a coming of age story and it gave me a list. Same when I asked it to explain in basic terms how music can alter emotion. It’s also great for when you can’t remember one stupid word or phrase.

  • I'm trying to recall a prayer before a meal. It's something like "bless us oh lord" something. My Catholic relatives say it. Do you have any idea what the full prayer is? ChatGPT Yes, the prayer you are referring to is called "Grace Before Meals". Here is the full text: "Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen." User Thanks! Is this exclusive to Catholics or do Protestants use it? ChatGPT The prayer "Bless us, O Lord, and these thy gifts, which we are about to receive from thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen" is commonly used by Catholics before meals, but it is not exclusive to Catholicism. Many Protestants also use this prayer before meals. It is a simple and widely recognized prayer that can be used by people of many different faiths.
    Couldn’t remember the prayer my relatives do.
  • I'm trying to remember a word. It has to do with making everything out to be bad, looking a the doom and glooms. Can you think of words that meet that? ChatGPT The word that you may be thinking of is "pessimism." Pessimism is a tendency to see and emphasize the negative aspects of things, or to expect the worst possible outcome in any situation. Other related words that may be of interest to you include negativity, defeatism, cynicism, and fatalism. User No not pessimism. It's more like when you have anxiety and your mind goes to the worst case scenario. ChatGPT The word you may be thinking of is "catastrophizing." Catastrophizing is a cognitive distortion where someone imagines and magnifies the worst possible outcomes of a situation and feels intense anxiety or despair as a result. It involves jumping to conclusions and assuming the worst-case scenario, even when there is little evidence to support it. User Yes! ChatGPT I'm glad I could help you remember the word you were thinking of. If you have any other questions or if there's anything else I can assist you with, feel free to ask!
    I love WordHippo but it can’t do this.

Ad Copy

What author enjoys writing ad copy? I haven’t tried ChatGPT for blurb writing, but I’ve been using it for newsletter subject lines. I just dump in my whole newsletter and ask it to generate something.

Newsletter Subject Line Suggestions: May Newsletter: Homeschooling Adventures and Audiobook Updates From Pizza Dough to Audiobooks: May Update Audiobook News, Homeschooling Highlights, and More! Catching Up in May: Homeschooling, Audiobooks, and Movie Recommendations The May Newsletter: Audiobook Deal, Homeschooling Fun, and More! Adventures in May: Audiobooks, Homeschooling, and 1950s Jet Magazines
Yes, my newsletters are fucking weird and off topic. I’d like to see you make a coherent subject line out of the stuff I put in.

Writing That One Scene You Hate

Every writer sucks at something. For some it’s dialogue, while for others it might be fight scenes. For me it’s description. Asking ChatGPT to write those scenes for you gives you a basic blueprint which can then be customized into your voice.

Me: Please describe a moonlit meadow. ChatGPT: The moonlit meadow stretches out before you, bathed in a soft and silvery light. The grass is tall and sways gently in the cool breeze, casting long shadows that dance across the ground. The moon hangs low in the sky, a glowing orb that illuminates the landscape with a gentle, otherworldly glow. As you step forward, the blades of grass tickle your ankles, and the sweet scent of wildflowers fills your nose. In the distance, you can hear the sound of a stream, the gentle babbling of water over rocks echoing across the meadow. The moon casts everything in shades of blue and grey, highlighting the subtle textures of the grass, the bark of trees on the edges of the meadow, and the small wildflowers that dot the landscape. The air is crisp and cool, and a sense of peace and tranquility pervades the scene. As you stand in the midst of the moonlit meadow, you can't help but feel a sense of wonder and awe at the beauty of the natural world around you.

I’m not one for long descriptions and this is the wrong point of view, so I used all of one line of what it gave me (“soft and silvery light” I think). It was still incredibly helpful and gave me a jumping off point. Another time I asked ChatGPT to describe an image for me. It was a stock photo of a setting like one in my book. The description wasn’t all that good, getting several major elements wrong (it’s a language AI, not a visual one), but it made me realize what parts of the image I wanted to focus on for my story.

I told ChatGPT to describe just those elements, and write a character’s reaction to entering the room. It was all wrong. Wrong point of view, wrong character voice, focusing on the wrong elements. But that was okay! It helped me refine my writing. You can see the progression here, along with what I actually ended up using:

  • Describe the room as if a character is walking in and seeing it for the first time. No need to be too detailed. Concise is better. Two paragraphs. ChatGPT As the character steps into the room, they are struck by the cozy and inviting atmosphere. The walls are painted a calming pale blue, and the large windows let in plenty of natural light, making the space feel bright and airy. The character notices a plush white comforter and several pillows arranged on a large double bed in the center of the room. The bed is pushed up against a wooden headboard that spans the width of the bed, with a single bedside table situated on one side, and a white wardrobe on the other. The overall feeling is one of peace and tranquility. As the character takes in the room, they notice the subtle scent of lavender that fills the air, adding to the calm and peaceful ambiance. The white curtains are slightly ruffled, as if caught in a gentle breeze blowing through the room. The character can see a few small trinkets scattered throughout the space, including a vase with a single flower on the wardrobe. The room feels like a sanctuary, a place of respite and relaxation, inviting the character to take a deep breath and unwind. User Just a correction- the walls aren't painted blue. They're actually made of plain wooden beams. The picture is inside an antique Russian cabin.
    Nailing down the description
  • Sorry, I should have mentioned. Please use third person point of view. ChatGPT No problem, here's a revised description in third person point of view: As the character known as Nikolai steps into Elena's bedroom, his heart quickens with anticipation. The rustic charm of the wooden walls, bathed in a warm glow from the large windows, sets the perfect mood for what he hopes will be a night of passion. His gaze falls on the large double bed in the corner, pushed up against two wooden walls. There is no headboard, but the bed has a plush white comforter and several pillows arranged on top. A single bedside table is situated next to the bed with a small lamp and a few books stacked on top. Above the bed, a white sheer curtain is draped from a simple wooden rod, framing the bed and providing a sense of privacy and comfort. Nikolai can't help but imagine Elena lying there, waiting for him, as he takes in the cozy and intimate space. On the other side of the bed, there is a white wardrobe with two large doors and a small drawer at the bottom. The wardrobe is decorated with a few small trinkets, including a vase with a single flower. The overall feeling is one of rustic tranquility, inviting Nikolai to take a deep breath and relax in the peaceful surroundings. He can only hope that he'll get to spend the night with Elena, in this intimate and inviting space.
    Refining description
  • I apologize for the mistake. Here is a revised description: As the character steps into the room, they are immediately struck by the rustic charm of the space. The walls are made of plain wooden beams, giving the room a cozy and inviting feel. The large windows allow plenty of natural light to filter in, illuminating the space and highlighting the various wooden elements throughout the room. The character notices a large double bed in the center of the room, with a plush white comforter and several pillows arranged on top. The bed is pushed up against a wooden headboard that spans the width of the bed, with a single bedside table situated on one side and a white wardrobe on the other. The character can see a few small trinkets scattered throughout the space, including a vase with a single flower on the wardrobe. The overall feeling is one of rustic tranquility, inviting the character to take a deep breath and relax in the peaceful surroundings. User Please revise the description to include the curtain by the bed. Also, it has no headboard-the bed is pushed into a corner. What you're seeing are the wooden walls. ChatGPT Thank you for letting me know. Here's a revised description that includes the curtain by the bed and the wooden walls: As the character steps into the room, they are immediately struck by the rustic charm of the space. The walls are made of plain wooden beams, giving the room a cozy and intimate feel. The large windows let in plenty of natural light, casting a warm glow on the wooden walls and highlighting the various elements throughout the room.
    Seeing how it handles character voice
  • In the corner of the room, the character notices a large double bed pushed up against two wooden walls. The bed has a plush white comforter and several pillows arranged on top. A single bedside table is situated next to the bed with a small lamp and a few books stacked on top. Above the bed, a white sheer curtain is draped from a simple wooden rod, framing the bed and providing a sense of privacy and comfort. On the other side of the bed, there is a white wardrobe with two large doors and a small drawer at the bottom. The wardrobe is decorated with a few small trinkets, including a vase with a single flower. The overall feeling is one of rustic tranquility, inviting the character to take a deep breath and relax in the peaceful surroundings. User Ok now revise to add character voice. This is from the perspective of Nikolai. The bedroom belongs to Elena, a woman he's hoping to have sex with. She's been flirting with him all through dinner. She's sleeping in her grandmother's room tonight and he's sleeping in her room, but he's hoping for a late night tryst. ChatGPT Sure, here's a revised description from Nikolai's perspective: As I step into Elena's bedroom, my heart quickens with anticipation. The rustic charm of the wooden walls, bathed in a warm glow from the large windows, sets the perfect mood for what I hope will be a night of passion. My gaze falls on the large double bed in the corner, pushed up against two wooden walls. There is User Sorry, I should have mentioned. Please use third person point of view.
    This sounds NOTHING like Nikolai 😆
  • The bedroom was rustic and no bigger than his own back at Medea’s, but had a cozy, lived-in feel. Various garments hung neatly over the back of a chair, and checkered blanket lay folded on the seat. Shelves held a few books and more handmade dolls. A small table boasted a vase with a single flower. The bed was pushed up against the wooden walls in a sort of alcove, with a sheer white curtain for privacy. It was pulled back now, exposing the plush white comforter, the lacy edges of which were embroidered in red with intricate patterns. He imagined Yelena lying there, beckoning him, but couldn’t help but notice the room had no windows.
    What actually ended up in my manuscript.

This may seem time consuming, but keep in mind description is the thing I suck at. It’s also a lot faster than it looks, since I’m mostly skimming what ChatGPT gives me for stuff I can use – often just a few key phrases. The thing that takes the most work is the prompts. Revising them to get what you want also makes you think more about what you’re trying to do, which leads me to…

Brainstorming Buddy

One of the best ways to learn something is by having to explain it to someone else. Programmers use this method to debug code they’ve written – by explaining it to an inanimate object like a rubber duck. It’s called rubber duck debugging.

Professional developer and software engineer sitting at desk and working, he is checking the code and debugging
Seriously.

While it’s great to bounce ideas off other people, sometimes you need someone right now to help you work through a problem. This is the best use I’ve found for ChatGPT. Even if you can’t use the ideas it gives you, the act of refining prompts to get a better response makes you consider why you can’t use its suggestion, which often leads you to the right answer.

For instance, I recently used it to help me getter a better sense of a new character.

Prompt 1: I have an adolescent character who recently lost his mother to cancer. What are some ways that a twelve year old would react to losing a parent?

ChatGPT gave me a list seven different ways a child might react. I chose one.

Prompt 2: Expand on number 3 – relief that the parent is no longer suffering. The child is Christian and relatives have been telling him that his mother is in a better place.

The response was remarkably touching. ChatGPT gave advice on how to help the child, saying “It is important for the child to have open and honest conversations with trusted adults, such as family members, friends, or a counselor, about their feelings and beliefs. They may also find solace in activities that allow them to express their grief, such as writing in a journal, creating artwork, or participating in a support group.”

I can see why so many people are turning to ChatGPT for therapy.

Prompt 3: What if the child’s father is especially withdrawn? The child’s father joins a religious cult shortly after the mother’s death, and does not know how to express his feelings of loss or comfort his child.

If the child's father is withdrawn and has joined a religious cult after the mother's death, this can be an extremely challenging situation for the child. The child may feel like they have lost both parents, as their father may not be able to provide the emotional support and comfort they need during this difficult time. It's important for the child to know that they are not alone, and that there are other adults in their life who care about them and are available to provide support. This could include other family members, close friends, or a counselor or therapist. These individuals can help the child process their emotions and provide a safe and supportive environment for them to express their grief. If the father is open to it, it may be helpful for him to attend counseling or therapy as well. This could provide him with the tools and strategies he needs to process his own grief and better support his child. It's also important to encourage open communication between the child and their father, so that the child feels heard and understood, and the father can better understand the child's needs. Ultimately, it's important to remember that grief is a complex and individual process, and there is no "right" or "wrong" way to grieve. The child and their father may need different strategies and resources to help them cope with their loss, and it's important to be patient and understanding as they navigate this difficult time.
And my dad called ChatGPT rude. 🙄

At this point I had to remind ChatGPT that this is fiction. We authors like to traumatize our characters.

Prompt 4: Remember these are characters in a story. Therapy is not an option, and the extended family and friends are also members of the cult. How might the child react to being in such a hard situation, with no one to turn to?

It talked about the resilience of kids and again listed ways that the child might cope with their grief.

Prompt 5: In the story, the child begins to develop magic. A witch offered to train him, but the child is skeptical of this, having grown up hearing that magic is evil. How long might it take before the child snaps and runs away to join the witch? What might be a catalyst for such a drastic decision?

There was more to this prompt, which I’m not including to avoid spoilers. The response was incredibly kind and helpful. Again, I can see why so many people are using ChatGPT for therapy.

i know you're just an ai but this is incredibly fucking helpful. thank you ChatGPT You're welcome! As an AI language model, I'm programmed to provide useful and informative responses. I'm glad I could be of assistance to you. If you have any more questions or if there's anything else I can help you with, feel free to ask!

Getting Past the Blank Page

This is what helped my son. You can’t revise a blank page. Staring at a wall of white and a blinking cursor can be intimidating. Some people just need a springboard to get started.

If you’re still on the fence about using ChatGPT, I highly recommend you give it a try. You’ll be glad you did.

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