While I was doing the research I needed to embark on a writing career, I discovered that AI could be used to help me during the writing process. So, with that knowledge in hand, I started looking deeper into AI. What I discovered was that there were uses for this technology.
Let’s be real: writing is hard. Some days, the words flow like water over Niagara Falls. On other days, you stare at the blinking cursor like it cut you off in traffic. That’s where ChatGPT comes in—not as a replacement for your imagination, but as an assistant to help you wrestle the words onto the page.
I know what you’re thinking: “But isn’t AI taking over the world?” No, my friend, neither will it render you void of any creative abilities. Think of ChatGPT as a brainstorming partner who never sleeps, never looks at you like you said the dumbest thing they had ever heard and most importantly, won’t drink the last of your coffee. Here’s how you can use it without sacrificing your creative soul.
1. Brainstorming Like a Pro (or a Slightly Unhinged Genius)
AI can help you develop a better plot twist, a stronger character arc, or, just a reason for existing. That’s where ChatGPT shines.
You can ask something like:
“Give me five unique twists on the often used ‘stranded on a desert island’ story.”
And boom—it appears on your screen. Maybe your protagonist is stranded with their worst enemy, or the island isn’t uninhabited after all. Here’s the best one, it’s actually a giant, sentient sea turtle.
The point is that ChatGPT won’t write your novel for you, but it’ll throw ideas at you to help clear the mental fog.
2. Character Development (Because Flat Characters Are Boring)
It’s very easy to create characters that feel—wrong, or at least like they don’t belong.
They need flaws, depth, and reasons for their questionable life choices. They also need to have beliefs and desires that motivate them, however right or wrong those examples might be. Instead of staring at your notes in despair, try asking:
“Give me a list of fears, desires, and quirks for a rebellious role-playing gamer with a dark past.”
Or, if you’re really stuck:
“What are some unique motivations for a villain who doesn’t just want to ‘take over the world’?”
ChatGPT can help you build complex, flawed, real characters—not just cardboard cutouts with cool hair (or no hair).
3. Writing (or at Least Writing that Horrible First Draft)
Staring at a blank page is the worst part of writing. Sometimes, all you need is a little push in the right direction. Ask ChatGPT:
“Write me a rough first paragraph of a novel about ghosts set in 1930s Los Angeles.”
Even if it’s not perfect, it’s something—and something is better than nothing. You can use your skills and imagination to change or rewrite it, which is always better.
4. Editing and Polishing Without Crying
After writing, comes editing—the fun part (picture me rolling my eyes). You could cry, OR you could add a rough passage to the chat and ask ChatGPT:
“Rewrite this paragraph to make it smoother and more engaging.”
Or even:
“Does this dialogue sound natural for a sarcastic younger brother?”
It won’t replace a professional editor, but it’s like having a second set of eyes that never judges you for overusing the word “just”.
5. Writing Fun Stuff (Because Not Everything Has to Be a Novel)
Need a quirky author bio? A witty tweet? Oh wait, do they still call them tweets? A fake medieval curse to put in your fantasy novel? ChatGPT can assist you with these and much more.
For example, try:
“Write a hilarious fake book dedication.”
Or:
“Give me a list of absurd but believable conspiracy theories for a sci-fi story.”
Creativity doesn’t just have to be hard work, it can also be fun.
Final Thoughts (a.k.a. The Part Where I Wrap This Up Nicely)
In the end, ChatGPT is here to help you. You are the writer, the one who tells the story that is in your head. Now, you have another tool that can make the process smoother, faster, and maybe even a little more enjoyable.
AI can be used to write a whole book. But ask yourself, ”Would I read that book?” I don’t think I would. It is, after all, just a bunch of words that a machine threw together because it had that knowledge in its memory bank. In that story, there is no emotion or any of life’s lessons that we humans bring to the table. Maybe one day, AI will be able to write a believable story that sounds like a real person wrote it. With the advancements being made in the technology, that time may be here before we know it.
So go forth and write! Just don’t let ChatGPT name your main character, or you’ll end up with something like Tommy Gunn (which… actually, is pretty good).