I have to admit, playing around with ChatGPT sidetracked me yesterday. Not only as a writer but in the day job as well. I am starting to see the potential on both sides of the coin. But, as noted yesterday, the potential is there but only as a tool. It does not take away the need for an imagination or creativity or–gasp–for the ability to edit and put the bits and pieces the program spits out into a cohesive and entertaining story or informative article. To illustrate what I mean, let’s play some more this today. Instead of using something I’m already working on–or have worked on–I’m going to try the beginnings of a short story set after the events in the Honor & Duty series. Let’s see what happens. I’ll list the prompts I use and I’m going to limit them to three or four. Later today, I will give the results of the prompts followed by how I would “fix” the results in a quick edit. (Please let it be quick.)
As for the prompts themselves, you will see several are scene descriptions. What I want to happen. Another is a setting description. The final actually asks the AI to give dialog. As I noted yesterday, the responses give a base that can be used to build a story from. The voice is generic at best. Anyway, see for yourself.
Prompt 1:
Jake Shaw sat with his fellow graduates from the Fuerconese Naval Academy, listening to the speeches and waiting to take his oath that would mark a new life. He would be a Marine second lieutenant. After his leave, he would report to his first posting and life would never be the same. He didn’t need to hear his mother, Brigadier General Ashlyn Shaw, reminding him and his fellow graduates that the life he accepted would be dangerous. He saw it in the way she leaned on her cane and in the scars she bore. He remembered the times she’d been absent during the war as she fought to keep their home system safe. Now it was his turn to take up the family tradition of serving to protect Fuercon and its allies.
Response:
As Jake sat there, he felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. He had trained for years for this moment, and he knew that the life he was about to enter would be challenging and demanding. But he was also eager to serve his country and follow in his mother’s footsteps.
As the speeches ended and the time came for him to take his oath, Jake stood up and walked to the front of the room. He could feel the eyes of his classmates on him, and he knew that they were all feeling the same mix of emotions that he was.
Taking a deep breath, Jake raised his right hand and recited the oath, promising to uphold the values and principles of the Fuerconese Naval Academy and to serve his country with honor and distinction. As he finished, he felt a sense of pride and accomplishment wash over him.
As he walked back to his seat, Jake glanced over at his mother. She was looking at him with a mixture of pride and concern, and he could tell that she was worried about the dangers he would face as a Marine.
But Jake knew that he had made the right choice. He was ready to serve his country and protect the people he loved. And he was proud to carry on the family tradition of serving in the Fuerconese military.
Prompt 2:
Sgt. Major Edita Anisimova moved to the front of the stage and called the newly sworn-in officers to their feet. The sounds of them standing and snapping to attention filled the air. But it was nothing compared to the older woman’s firm voice as she dismissed them after giving them one last piercing look. Jake slapped his best friend on the shoulder and promised to join him and the others at the bar later to celebrate. But now he had plans with his family that included dinner at his favorite restaurant and, hopefully, learning what his first assignment would be. Not that he expected either his mother, commandant of the Academy, or his grandmother, newly promoted to Commandant of the Marine Corps, to break protocol. For as long as he knew, graduates received thier orders the day after graduation. Still, it would be nice to have some idea about where he’d spend the next year of his life.
Response:
Jake felt a surge of excitement as he left the graduation ceremony and headed towards his family. He couldn’t wait to share the moment with them and hear their thoughts on his future.
As he walked towards the restaurant, he couldn’t help but think about the possibilities that lay ahead. Would he be sent on a peacekeeping mission to one of Fuercon’s allies? Or would he be on the front lines, fighting against the enemies of his country?
Despite the unknowns, Jake felt confident and ready for whatever lay ahead. He had trained hard and had the support of his family and friends.
As he entered the restaurant, Jake was greeted with cheers and hugs from his family. They all congratulated him on his graduation and wished him luck in his future endeavors.
As they sat down to dinner, Jake’s mother and grandmother talked about their own experiences in the military and shared stories about the challenges they had faced. Jake listened intently, feeling proud and inspired by their strength and determination.
After dinner, as they said their goodbyes, Jake couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation for what was to come. He knew that whatever his first assignment was, he was ready to face it head-on and make his family proud.
As he walked back to his barracks, Jake felt a renewed sense of purpose and determination. He was a Marine now, and he was ready to serve his country with honor and distinction.
Prompt 3:
Describe the scene. The graduation ceremony takes place in the same open air stadium where jake and his classmates took their first oaths as new cadets at the Academy four years ago. On the stage are the instructors, senior military officials, and special speakers. The cadets sit in front of the stage. In the stands behind them are family and friends. As the ceremony ends, a flyover of Sabre fighters marks the beginning of their new lives as officers.
Response:
The open air stadium was abuzz with excitement as Jake and his fellow cadets prepared to graduate from the Fuerconese Naval Academy. The sun shone brightly overhead, casting a warm glow over the sea of white uniforms below.
On the stage, instructors, senior military officials, and special speakers waited patiently for the ceremony to begin. The air was filled with the sounds of shuffling feet and whispered conversations as the cadets took their seats in front of the stage.
As the ceremony got underway, Jake listened intently to the speeches and presentations. He felt a sense of pride and accomplishment as he thought back to the grueling training he had endured over the past four years.
In the stands behind him, Jake could see the faces of his family and friends beaming with pride. They had come from all over Fuercon to witness this momentous occasion and show their support for their loved ones.
As the ceremony drew to a close, a hush fell over the crowd. Suddenly, the sound of roaring engines filled the air as a flyover of Sabre fighters streaked across the sky.
The cadets leapt to their feet, cheering and applauding as the fighters flew overhead, marking the beginning of their new lives as officers in the Fuerconese military.
As the flyover faded into the distance, Jake felt a surge of excitement and anticipation. He was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead and serve his country with honor and distinction.
Prompt 4:
Speech given by Brigadier General Ashlyn Shaw, commandant of the Fuerconese Naval Academy, to the graduating class. Congratulates them for making it this far. They have worked hard. They have shown their dedication not only to their fellow cadets but to the Navy and the Corps and to Fuercon. She is proud of each of them. Now the real challenge begins. It may be one of boredom–if they’re lucky. But for too many of them, it will be a challenge of survival: their own, their shipmates and squadmates, those who look to them for protection. But she has full confidence in them to do what is necessary to uphold the oaths they are about to take. Well done, very well done.
Response:
My dear graduates, it is my great honor to stand before you today and offer my heartfelt congratulations on your graduation from the Fuerconese Naval Academy. You have worked hard, persevered through difficult times, and shown your dedication not only to your fellow cadets but also to the Navy and the Corps, and to our beloved Fuercon.
As you stand here today, you should feel proud of yourselves and the accomplishments you have achieved. You have demonstrated your knowledge, your skills, your leadership abilities, and your commitment to service. You have proved that you are ready to take on the challenges and responsibilities of being officers in our military.
But let me tell you, the real challenge begins now. You will face challenges that will test your mental, physical, and emotional limits. Some of you may find yourselves in situations of boredom – if you’re lucky. But for too many of you, it will be a challenge of survival: your own, your shipmates, your squadmates, and those who look to you for protection.
But fear not. You are prepared. You have been trained to face the toughest challenges, to adapt to changing circumstances, to think critically and act decisively, and to never give up. You have shown that you have what it takes to uphold the oaths you are about to take – to defend our great nation, to protect our people, and to honor the traditions and values of our military.
I am proud of each and every one of you, and I have full confidence that you will serve with distinction and honor. You are the future of our military, and I know that you will carry on the proud legacy of those who have gone before you.
So go forth, my dear graduates, and make us proud. Serve with honor, courage, and commitment. Congratulations, well done, very well done.
Comments:
The first thing that stands out to me is that the AI doesn’t “know” the characters. There is no “heart” to them or to the setting. That might change if I took the time to train it by giving it more information, etc. The second thing that came to mind as I watched this take shape this morning is how like the “suggestions” or “prompts” this was to those I’ve seen other writers (usually new ones) buy from certain sites to help them get started. Finally, this is by no means an entire story, not even a short story. But it could be the start of one. . . with some work. We’ll see what happens later today after I put an hour or so into fleshing out what the AI gave me. Wish me luck and lots of coffee. But first I have to do some work in the yard and take Mom to an appointment. So, until later!
