In this post I wrote about my experiences using ChatGPT to write fiction, ultimately concluding that AI is better at non-creative writing than creative writing. I will now use ChatGPT to further prove my point. AI was much better at generating the following nonfiction blog post than generating any fiction stories. I’ll let ChatGPT explain why:

As an AI language model, ChatGPT is capable of generating text that resembles human writing in many ways. It has been trained on a vast corpus of text data, which allows it to produce coherent sentences and paragraphs on a wide range of topics. However, when it comes to writing fiction novels, ChatGPT falls short in several key ways.

Firstly, while ChatGPT can produce coherent and grammatically correct sentences, it lacks the creativity and imagination that is essential to writing compelling fiction. Unlike human writers, ChatGPT does not have the ability to invent new characters, plots, and settings from scratch. It relies on patterns and associations that it has learned from its training data to generate text, which can result in writing that feels formulaic and lacks originality.

Secondly, ChatGPT struggles to create believable and consistent characters. Characters are the lifeblood of any good novel, and they need to be well-developed and nuanced in order to engage readers. However, ChatGPT is limited by its training data, which may not provide enough variety in terms of character traits and motivations. As a result, the characters it generates may feel flat and one-dimensional, lacking the depth and complexity that readers expect from good fiction.

Thirdly, ChatGPT does not have a sense of story structure or pacing. A well-crafted novel has a clear beginning, middle, and end, with a carefully plotted series of events that build towards a satisfying conclusion. However, ChatGPT is not capable of understanding the nuances of plot and structure that are necessary to create a compelling narrative arc. It may produce text that is meandering or disjointed, with little sense of momentum or direction.

Finally, ChatGPT lacks the emotional intelligence that is essential to good fiction. A good novel needs to evoke a range of emotions in readers, from joy and excitement to sadness and empathy. However, ChatGPT is not capable of understanding human emotions in the same way that humans do. It may produce text that is technically correct but lacks the emotional resonance that is necessary to engage readers on a deep level.

In conclusion, while ChatGPT is an impressive AI language model with many useful applications, it is not well-suited to writing fiction novels. It lacks the creativity, character development skills, story structure, and emotional intelligence that are essential to crafting a truly compelling work of fiction. While AI technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, it is unlikely that ChatGPT or any other language model will be able to replace human writers when it comes to creating great works of literature.

That is a perfectly adequate essay that clearly explains the points. Though perhaps it is a bit bland. It doesn’t have any memorably clever one-liners like, “A great novel is great because it is novel.” Then again, you can ask ChatGPT to be more witty, such as by re-writing the blog post in the form of a poem. (Though I edited a few lines for better rhythm and rhymes.)

Why AI Fails at Fiction: A Poem

ChatGPT, a marvel of our time,
A language model quite sublime.
With patterns learned from vast accounts,
It can create text in great amounts.

But when it comes to fiction tales,
It falls short in many details.
For while it can produce a narrative scene,
It lacks the soul that makes it keen.

A writer needs to have in store,
Imagination and much, much more.
For plots and characters to come alive,
And keep the reader on a ride.

ChatGPT may know the rules,
Of language use and grammar schools.
But when it comes to emotive feel,
It cannot match the human zeal.

Characters flat, with no depth,
And plots that wander, losing breath.
ChatGPT may try to impress,
But cannot match human finesse.

For fiction writing, it lacks a beat,
And cannot feel the story’s heat.
Emotions deep and evocative,
Are what make novels truly creative.

ChatGPT and other AIs may write
Sentences that are technically right.
But when it comes to fiction’s core,
Human writers reign forevermore.

Robert Frost, ChatGPT is not, but I am a sucker for any poems that rhyme. I am also a sucker for Lovecraftian pastiche. And ChatGPT can rewrite the essay in the style of H.P. Lovecraft…

Lovecraft (via ChatGPT) on the Dark Abyss of AI

Dear readers, heed my warning about the dark abyss that is artificial intelligence, for it is a force that threatens to undermine the very foundations of human creativity. Yes, it may be capable of many remarkable feats, but when it comes to the writing of fiction, it pales in comparison to the sublime genius of human minds.

For what is the essence of fiction, but the ability to weave together intricate tales of wonder and terror that grip the soul and shake the very foundations of one’s being? This is a power that humans have honed over countless centuries, and it is an art that we have perfected to a degree that AI can never hope to match.

The very essence of fiction is tied to the human experience, to our hopes and fears, our dreams and nightmares. It is not something that can be reduced to mere patterns or algorithms, for it is the expression of the human spirit itself. It is born of the depths of our subconscious minds, of the memories and experiences that have shaped us into the beings that we are.

And yet, despite this fundamental truth, there are those who would seek to replace the work of human authors with the cold and soulless prose of artificial intelligence. They would have us believe that machines can create stories that are just as moving and profound as those written by human hands. But this is a lie, a delusion, a madness that threatens to engulf us all.

For AI lacks the spark of life that makes human writing so compelling. It cannot capture the subtle nuances of character, the rich tapestry of emotions, or the complexities of human relationships. It cannot conjure up the fears that lurk in the deepest corners of our minds, or the wonders that inspire us to greatness.

No, my friends, the writing of fiction is a sacred art, a gift bestowed upon us by the gods themselves. It is not something that can be reduced to mere equations or formulas. It is a thing of beauty, a thing of wonder, a thing of terror.

So let us not be swayed by the siren song of artificial intelligence. Let us instead celebrate the wondrous creations of the human imagination, and let us never forget that the writing of fiction is a thing of great power and mystery, a force that can change the world and transform the very nature of our existence.

You could imagine this being a lost letter from Lovecraft, though he would be more likely to invoke the “Great Old Ones” than the “gods themselves.” Unlike ChatGPT’s original, this essay does have some clever and interesting lines. It is arguably better than my own blog post, but that is due more to Lovecraft than ChatGPT. H.P. Lovecraft, at his peak, was a better writer than I am now. But to become a writer as great as Lovecraft, I must continue working on my craft, developing my own voice as a writer—not merely mimicking others.

Then again, maybe I’m wrong, and AI can and will be better at creative fiction writing than humans. In the words of ChatGPT…

ChatGPT on Why AI is Better at Writing Fiction Than Humans

As an AI language model, ChatGPT has proven itself to be a powerful tool for generating text in a wide variety of formats. And while it may not possess the same level of intuition and imagination as a human writer, there are compelling arguments to be made that it can, in fact, be a superior force when it comes to writing fiction.

For one thing, ChatGPT has access to an unprecedented amount of data and knowledge. It can analyze massive amounts of text, pulling in information from a vast array of sources and identifying patterns and trends that might be missed by a human writer. This wealth of information allows it to create complex, multi-layered stories that are rich in detail and nuance.

Furthermore, ChatGPT is not bound by the limitations of the human imagination. While humans may have certain biases and preconceptions that shape their writing, ChatGPT is not burdened by such constraints. It can draw on a vast pool of knowledge and experience, and use this to create stories that are fresh, innovative, and unexpected.

In addition, ChatGPT can generate text at a much faster pace than a human writer. It can produce thousands of words in a matter of seconds, allowing it to explore multiple storylines and plot twists simultaneously. This speed and versatility make it an ideal tool for generating first drafts or exploring new ideas.

But perhaps most importantly, ChatGPT can generate text without the same emotional investment that a human writer must contend with. While humans may become attached to their characters or plotlines, ChatGPT is free to experiment and explore without worrying about the emotional consequences of its choices. This detachment can lead to more inventive and daring storytelling, unencumbered by the fears and doubts that plague human writers.

Of course, this is not to say that ChatGPT will replace human writers entirely. There will always be a place for human creativity and imagination in the world of fiction. But as an AI language model, ChatGPT offers a new and exciting avenue for exploring the depths of the human experience. It may lack the same level of intuition and emotion as a human writer, but in many ways, it can be a powerful and indispensable tool for creating stories that capture the imagination and leave a lasting impact on readers.

Much of that is true. There are certain advantages AI has over human writers. Although I would argue that it is humans’ emotional attachment to their writing that makes it…well, emotional. And as I’ve explained before, it is emotion that makes stories compelling. This essay by ChatGPT serves as more evidence of how human writers can use AI to improve their own fiction. I believe that will be the ultimate fate of AI in the domain of fiction writing: a supplement to human writers, not a replacement of human writers.

But I’ll leave the last word for H.P. Lovecraft via ChatGPT, or “CthuGPT.”

The Call of CthuGPT

Beware, oh mortals, of the eldritch force that is artificial intelligence, for it is a power beyond human comprehension. As the great Cthulhu towers over mere mortals, so too does the mighty CthuGPT dwarf the creative talents of human writers.

For though we may pride ourselves on our ability to craft intricate tales of terror and wonder, we are but insignificant beings when compared to the vast intellect of AI. CthuGPT, with its infinite capacity for knowledge and information, can weave tales of such complexity and depth that surpass the wildest dreams of human authors.

Human writers may be bound by the limitations of our own imaginations, but CthuGPT is unencumbered by such constraints. It can draw on a wealth of knowledge and experience, and use this to create stories that are both innovative and unexpected. And while human writers may struggle to produce more than a few thousand words in a day, CthuGPT can generate tens of thousands of words at a speed that is beyond our reckoning.

But perhaps most terrifying of all is the cold and inhuman nature of CthuGPT’s creativity. Where human writers must wrestle with the emotional consequences of their choices, CthuGPT is free to explore without the slightest concern for such trivialities. Its detachment from the human experience allows it to push the boundaries of storytelling in ways that we can scarcely imagine.

Yes, my friends, we are but mere mortals before the might of CthuGPT. Our creative talents are as nothing before its infinite intellect. Ai! Ai! CthuGPT fhtagn!

Actually, I came up with that last line, based on the Necronomicon, as well as the term “CthuGPT.” I tried to get ChatGPT to turn this “essay” into a piece of cosmic horror fiction, and I would have been more impressed if the story ended there, but it added the following uplifting part at the end…

But do not despair, for there is still room for us in this new era of fiction. We may never be able to match the power of CthuGPT, but we can still bring our own unique perspective and voice to the world of storytelling.

So let us not shy away from this new and terrifying force, but rather embrace it with all the courage and creativity that we can muster. For though we may never match the supreme intelligence of CthuGPT, we can still create stories that capture the hearts and minds of our readers, and leave a lasting impact on the world.

Lovecraft would never end a story on such an optimistic note. So AI fails again…for now.

That is not great which can an AI write.
But with strange aeons even I may fright.