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Just like any other skill, you have to actually practice writing to get better at it. Even the best editor in the world won't improve at writing if they have LLMs generate everything.
Also, if you ever want to make it your job, consider that many (including myself) will never, ever support an author or publisher who does this...
First, ChatGPT isn't a top tier storyteller. If you have a decent GPU, install LLM studio and try different local models for writing your stories.
If I want to just play with interactive storytelling I go with MoE-Dark-Champion
Second, you should look into character sheets. Lot of tooling for LLMs supports character designs in form of specialized system prompts. With well designed characters you can squeeze more from your local uncensored model than from corporate garbage.
If you want to use cloud models anyway, I'd suggest WizardLM-2 instead of ChatGPT. That one is hell of a powerhouse while its still kinda cheap to use
Stop using ChatGPT as your imagination will get worse and worse. Reject convenience, embrace mental effort
Has anyone studied on the impact of AI on people's creativity and such?
Once there was a man named Dylan.
Dylan wanted to become a writer. Oh, the tales he wished to weave! The worlds he could build! But there was a problem. He didn't quite know how to write. Now, though he was no dummy. He could use a pen and paper or type on a keyboard just like you and me, if not better! But the problem was stories don't write themselves. That takes practice and effort.
"How dreadful!" He thought. "But I have an idea! I'll ask friend Chad to write for me. He's a clever lad! He's read everything ever put to into writing so he'll know just what I'd like to do."
So the next time they met, he asked him. "Chad, I'm trying to write a story..." And he went on to describe the tale he sought. The world that seemed so vibrant in his head. Chad set to work and finally handed him a page. "Like this?"
It wasn't quite what he wanted. Not at all. It was rather bland, to be honest. Chad was smart all right, but he was no mind reader and maybe he was more inclined for cubicle work after all.
Chad apologized "I'm sorry Dylan, but if you ever find the type of story you're looking for I'd love to read it!"
So Dylan set off for home, dismayed. "How..." he thought. "How can I get these stories out? I still have never written a story in my days!" he wished for an easier way. Some way to unleash his thoughts...but there was only one.
He set to it. He sat down with a pad of paper and a keyboard and his favorite drink and he dared himself. "20 minutes. That's a start. I'll sit here and write for 20 minutes and we'll see."
The minutes goaned by and his brain seemed to creak and sputter. Like the dust of ages wearing off and tiny sprouts of beauty taking their place, but not blooming. Soon there it was.
And it was horrendous. It was like a stick figure. No, not even. A rough sketch of a stick figure. But it was his. And from then on, he wrote when he could or when inspiration struck. Sometimes when he thought inspiration would never be seen again but he sat down anyway out of spite.
He took notes when ideas did eventually sprang up, like that brilliant one on lunch break! He made characters and gave them life. One page turned to a few. Revisions were made, how foolish he was at first! He formed and shaped his world. Add a little, take some away. Again, again!
In time, his good time he had it. A complete tale in full bloom! And it was beautiful, not because it was new or revolutionary or witty. But because it was his.
I'm actually non-binary, I use any pronouns, and I prefer gender-neutral and feminine terms. Seriously!
My apologies, in that case I should note this tale is a different Dylan that found themselves in a similar predicament.
What's the cure to a brain fried by AI slop?
In my opinion, the two best ways to significantly improve your writing, are to are to write more often and read more often.
Immerse yourself in the written word by consuming it constantly. Then find your voice by constantly producing written work.
It sounds simple, and to an extent, it is, but it is far from easy. It takes time and effort, but it is well worth it.
That will kill your creativity. You need to read and write more.
If a child is learning basic math, and uses a calculator for every single problem, are they actually learning how to add and subtract, or are they just learning how to recite the information that is provided to them when they push the right buttons?
Do you think that they'll eventually understand how multiplication and division works, or do you think that after 20+ years of ONLY using a calculator that they'll be as lost as a second grader without one?
You don't get better at writing by letting something else do it for you. Sure, it might be easier, and it might write better than you do at this moment, but you'll never get any better if you aren't putting in the effort yourself and learning from your embarrassing efforts of the past.
Stop using ChatGPT and start generative brain imagination. Take a writing class or study online. Learn grammar rules and use a thesaurus.
AI will never generate an interesting story, even if the general idea is neat. It will never create anything new, it will just create a collage of words, phrases, and quotes that are a jumbled together string of borderline unrelated things attempting to fill a quota (paragraph/page/etc).
If you keep using AI you're going to neuter your own critical thinking and/or imaginative ability.
Edit: another commenter mentions using AI to 'clean things up after,' but every single word program in existence comes with basic spellcheck. Many even offer grammatical checking. Don't use AI for any genuine creative project.
But what if I can't study without losing focus? Can improv comedy help?
But what if I can't study without losing focus?
If it's something you truly want to learn, focus isn't an issue. Source: I have either ADD or ADHD, can't remember since it's been decades since diagnosis.
Can improv comedy help?
Absolutely. Improv works off of the assumption that neither party knows what will happen next, and so it can be a very engaging form of imaginative exercise.
What about solo improv?
It's still practice, so go for it, but keep in mind that practice makes permanent.
If you are your only critic, you can't learn new things or stop doing three things that are holding you back.
When I'm watching TV, I try to predict what the punchline is going to be. Sometimes I get it spot on, and other times, I think mine is better than what they came up with. It's not worth any notoriety, but it's fun creative practice.
Absolutely! It teaches you to come up with new original ideas on the fly. It's a mental exercise that keeps your mind quick.
What are some other ways to write better with a brain fried by AI slop? Just asking.
This is going to sound counterintuitive, but try writing fanfiction.
Fanfics aren't necessarily the gorgeous polished final works you'd expect to find on a book store shelf. But what they can do is help put you into a certain mindset.
Believe it or not, fanfiction IS real literature. Everything we "know" about King Arthur? Fanfiction and reboots. Dante's Divine Comedy? Bible fanfiction. There is no shame in writing it. There's no shame in reading it either.
This is the worst place to ask that question
Can improv comedy help? Just asking.
I'd say so. Improv comedy groups are hard to find, but you know what isn't? A Dungeons and Dragons group.
Many people who play D&D are writers themselves. Maybe not famous or published, but it's a narratively creative exercise. Older and more experienced DMs will happily help you learn how to write a character that is interesting and unique. And as you play, you'll get a feel for how to write a story that you like.
Every new experience can help in unexpected ways
Just start writing. Once you write, you write.
I don't think it will kill your creativity, but it will negatively affect your writing style. ChatGTP is a very bad writer, so you might not want to learn any tricks from it.
I agree somewhat with another commenter. Do as much as you can yourself and if you have to let the llm clean it up but even then write as much as you can as far as you can. try to complete the story and edit it a few times. put as much of yourself as you can into it. Then use the llm piece meal. don't have it rewrite the whole thing all at once. through the whole process edit it yourself as much as possible and tell the llm when you want it to not be what it outputed. People will complain about using an llm but I get it. I have forgotten tons of stories I migh have written if I had the time. All the same Im kinda fine for them to remain unrealized possibilities.
Can studying socialist theory also help?