ChatGPT is handy for fleshing out boring scenes...
Sometimes you have an idea for a scene you need to flesh out (a couple walks into a historic home for the first time, for example) but you know it will be boring to type. ChatGPT is a terrible writer, but it is good at throwing out ideas. You can type something like "John and Judy walk into a house built in the 17th century. Describe as they walk from room to room. Be detailed." and it will spit back something like the below. It is stiff and wooden (much like the house) but there are details here and there you can use to keep your own creative thoughts rolling. It seems to be obsessed with smoke and I'm not sure if a ghost is baking the bread, but you get the idea. :)
It helps you picture the place, and then you can describe it in your own much better words, interspersed with dialog and action and not all in one boring exposition/info dump! It keeps you writing when otherwise you might have to stop and work on conjuring up the house.
Via ChatGPT-4
John and Judy step through the time-worn threshold of the 17th-century house, their senses immediately awakened by the mélange of old wood, worn leather, and the faintest hint of woodsmoke that permeates the air. Under their feet, the irregular wooden floorboards creak, a testament to the hundreds of years they've supported the weight of countless inhabitants and visitors.
The first room they enter is the grand foyer, the entryway to the home's historical treasures. Heavy oak beams, darkened with age, line the low ceiling, their solidity and permanence lending an aura of strength and endurance. A rustic chandelier, its ironwork gnarled and encrusted with centuries of soot, hangs solemnly overhead, casting a warm, mellow glow throughout the room.
Stepping from the foyer, they find themselves in the grand parlor. A large, impressive stone hearth commands attention, its presence an indication of the room's central role in family gatherings and celebrations. An array of finely crafted, but well-worn, furniture surrounds the fireplace, their upholstery faded, yet still exuding an undeniable charm. Tarnished portraits of past inhabitants line the walls, their solemn gazes seemingly following John and Judy as they move about the room.
Next, they wander into the kitchen, the heart of the home. The aroma of baked bread and spiced meats seems to linger in the air, evoking images of bustling cooks and bountiful feasts. Copper pots and iron utensils hang neatly from the wall, still boasting a soft gleam despite their age. The centerpiece, a large oak table, stands worn but resilient, its surface scarred by countless meals, games, and conversations.
They then ascend a narrow, spiral staircase to the second floor, their hands gliding over the worn banister polished smooth by centuries of use. They emerge into a long, narrow hallway lined with solid oak doors, each leading to a different sleeping chamber. Inside each room, simple, sturdy beds topped with hand-stitched quilts promise rest and warmth. The worn, wooden window frames provide a glimpse of the world outside, their wavy glass panes distorting the view just enough to add an extra layer of charm to the house.
Their exploration ends in the attic, a vast, shadowy space filled with forgotten treasures: aged trunks filled with vintage clothing, dusty books filled with faded ink, and old toys that once brought joy to children now long grown. The air here is heavy with the accumulation of years, each object a silent testament to the passage of time.
As John and Judy meander through the rooms, they can't help but feel an indescribable connection to the past, a tangible link to the generations who lived within these walls, each room a unique chapter in the home's long, enduring narrative.
First, some essential facts about this informational series:
- I use ChatGPT-4 (big upgrade from 3)
- I'm aware it may grow up to destroy the world Terminator-style, but for now, I'm making it work for me to keep from worrying myself to death.
- AI lies. It fills knowledge gaps with things it reasons MIGHT be true. If you're using it for research, double-check everything!
- There is another AI site that provides reference links to the things it spits out called Perplexity: https://www.perplexity.ai/ (There are a lot of AI sites now.)
- In all these examples, I'm not suggesting you use AI word for word - because it pulls information from many sources, you never know if it is plagiarizing someone somewhere.
- AI is most useful for kicking your own brain into gear!
- This article was written by a human. (me) 😁
