Writing a Novel Using AI — OpenAI ChatGPT

How to write a novel using AI (OpenAI ChatGPT)

I always wanted to write a great American fantasy novel, but working many years at different companies made me more of a technical writer. I can provide detailed step-by-step instructions required to accomplish a task that is short and concise, but writing a novel is completely different where writing simple things like the banter between characters is challenging. Well, I can write “Hi, How are you? Nice weather today.”

So, I recently (November 30, 2022) came across a news article where OpenAI released ‘ChatGPT’ AI system (https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt/), which interacts with you in a conversational way. So, I decided to use it to write a fantasy novel for myself.

If you are wondering, I came to the conclusion that AI (OpenAI ChatGPT) cannot write a fantasy novel for me, but it can provide a rough outline of a novel if you know how to prompt (i.e., prompt engineering) it a certain way. Someone said it best, it is like working with a very junior/bad ghostwriter where every page of a novel requires many interactions (i.e., prompts) and re-writes.

I used the following approach to write a novel using AI:

Instruction to AI
Create a world
Story Arc
List the chapters
Develop characters
Detailed outline of a chapter
Drill down an outline at a time
Repeat steps 6 thru 7

where I only completed the first chapter. My chat is labeled as PROMPT and OpenAI’s chatGPT is labeled as chatGPT and italic.

1. Instruction to AI

PROMPT: From now on I want you to pretend you are the author of a fantasy genre. You will be a ghostwriter for a novel I am writing. Acknowledge Yes or No.

chatGPT: Yes.

2. Create a World

PROMPT: Describe a new fantasy world where there are men, women, wizards, swordsmen, chivalry, demons, goblins, elves, dwarves, orcs, and dragons.

chatGPT: The world of Agnoron is a land of great beauty and danger. It is a world where chivalry and honor still hold sway, and where magic is both a powerful tool and a dangerous force. The kingdom of Agnoron is ruled by a fair and just king, who is advised by a council of wise and powerful wizards.

The people of Agnoron are a mix of many races and cultures, including men and women, wizards and swordsmen, elves and dwarves, and even the occasional orc or goblin. Despite their differences, they all live in relative harmony, united by a common sense of purpose and a shared desire to defend their kingdom against the dark forces that seek to destroy it.

The greatest of these dark forces are the demons and dragons, who roam the land with malice in their hearts and fire in their veins. They are a constant threat to the people of Agnoron, and only the bravest and most skilled warriors dare to face them in battle.

Despite these dangers, the people of Agnoron remain strong and resilient, ever ready to defend their kingdom and their way of life. They know that their fate is in their own hands, and that only by working together and relying on their strength, courage, and magic can they hope to overcome the challenges that lie ahead.

3. Story Arc

PROMPT: Provide a story arc for a fantasy romance novel set in the land of Agnoron where a young farmer with his best friends beset by a terrible tragedy, adventure thru the wilderness, meets both wizards and swordsmen and trains with them to become a great wizard and swordsman. Through many tribulations and adventures, wins the love of a princess, fights off a demon horde that jeopardizes the very survival of Agnoron, and finally becomes a king.

chatGPT: In the land of Agnoron, young farmer Aric lived a simple and peaceful life with his best friends, until a terrible tragedy struck their village. With their homes and livelihoods destroyed, Aric and his friends set out into the wilderness to seek a new life.

As they journeyed, they encountered many challenges and obstacles, including vicious beasts and treacherous terrain. But they also met many allies, including skilled wizards and swordsmen who took them under their wing and taught them the ways of magic and combat.

Through years of training and hard work, Aric grew into a powerful wizard and swordsman, feared and respected by all who knew him. But despite his newfound strength and skill, he still longed for something more — the love of a beautiful princess named Elora.

Aric and Elora were drawn to each other from the moment they met, but their love was forbidden by the king, who had promised her hand in marriage to a powerful warlord. Undeterred, Aric continued to pursue Elora, risking everything to win her heart.

But their love was soon put to the test when a demon horde invaded Agnoron, threatening to destroy the kingdom and all who lived within it. Aric and his friends banded together to fight off the demons, using all their strength and skill to protect their home and the people they loved.

In the end, Aric emerged victorious, slaying the demon lord and saving Agnoron from destruction. As a reward for his bravery and loyalty, the king offered him the hand of Elora and the throne of Agnoron, and Aric happily accepted, becoming the greatest king the kingdom had ever known.

4. List the Chapters

PROMPT: List the chapter for a fantasy romance novel.

chatGPT:

The Tragedy
The Journey Begins
Meeting the Wizards
Training for Battle
The Princess and the Farmer
The Forbidden Love
The Demon Invasion
The Final Battle
The King and the Queen
Happily Ever After

5. Develop Characters

PROMPT: Provide a list of main and supporting characters, including their full names, their appearances, which include their facial features and body build, their personality, and the same details for their companions.

chatGPT:

Aric — a young farmer with a muscular build, rugged features, and piercing green eyes. He is brave, kind, and determined, and is accompanied by his loyal friends, Jaxon and Rhen.
Elora — a beautiful princess with long, flowing blond hair, delicate features, and mesmerizing blue eyes. She is intelligent, compassionate, and strong-willed, and is accompanied by her devoted handmaiden, Ava.
Eamon — a wise and powerful wizard with a slender build, a long white beard, and piercing silver eyes. He is calm, collected, and experienced, and is accompanied by his loyal apprentice, Lirien.
Galen — a skilled and honorable swordsman with a muscular build, a chiseled jawline, and piercing blue eyes. He is confident, honorable, and fierce, and is accompanied by his trusty steed, Shadow.
Zara — a cunning and ruthless demon queen with a slender build, sharp features, and glowing red eyes. She is ruthless, cunning, and manipulative, and is accompanied by her loyal minions, the demon horde.

6. Detailed Outline of a Chapter

PROMPT: Provide a detailed outline of Chapter 1. The Tragedy provides a detailed narrative of a tragedy that befalls Aric and his best friends.

chatGPT: Aric and his best friends, Jaxon and Rhen, lived simple, peaceful lives as farmers in the small village of Willowdale. They spent their days tending to their crops, caring for their animals, and enjoying each other’s company.

But one day, their idyllic life was shattered by a terrible tragedy. A group of raiders, led by the ruthless warlord Karmak, attacked Willowdale, burning homes, stealing food, and killing anyone who stood in their way.

Aric, Jaxon, and Rhen fought bravely to defend their village, but they were vastly outnumbered and outmatched by Karmak’s men. In the end, they were forced to flee for their lives, leaving behind their homes, their possessions, and their loved ones.

As they ran, they could hear the screams and cries of their fellow villagers, and the sound of Karmak’s men laughing and cheering as they plundered Willowdale. They knew that they could never go back, and that their lives would never be the same again.

Heartbroken and devastated, Aric, Jaxon, and Rhen vowed to seek revenge against Karmak and his men, and to reclaim the life that had been stolen from them. And so, they set out into the wilderness, determined to forge a new path for themselves and to find a new home in the world of Agnoron.

7.1. Drill Down of an Outline

PROMPT: Aric, Jaxon, and Rhen tending to their crops, caring for their animals, and enjoying each other’s company. Provide a very long narrative that includes oral banter between Aric, Jaxon, and Rhen with their friends and families.

chatGPT: Aric, Jaxon, and Rhen spent their days tending to their crops, caring for their animals, and enjoying each other’s company. As they worked, they joked and laughed with each other, teasing each other about their mistakes and celebrating their successes.

“Hey, Aric, watch out for that chicken!” Jaxon called out as Aric stumbled over a clucking bird. “You almost crushed it under your big, clumsy feet!”

“Ha ha, very funny,” Aric replied, rolling his eyes. “At least I’m not the one who keeps forgetting to water the plants.”

“Hey, I’m just distracted by all the beautiful women in the village,” Jaxon said with a grin. “Can you blame me?”

Rhen laughed and shook his head. “You two are hopeless,” he said. “Come on, let’s get back to work.”

As they continued their chores, they were joined by their friends and family members, who came to help out and to spend time with them. Aric’s younger sister, Lily, ran up to him and gave him a hug, smiling up at him with her big, brown eyes.

“Hi, Aric, can I help you with anything?” she asked eagerly. “I want to be a farmer just like you when I grow up!”

Aric smiled and ruffled her hair. “Of course you can, Lily,” he said. “You’re a natural at this. Just remember to be careful and to listen to your elders, okay?”

Lily nodded eagerly and skipped off to help Rhen and Jaxon with their tasks. Aric watched her go, feeling a surge of love and pride for his little sister. He knew that she was strong and capable, and that she would do great things in her life.

As the day wore on, the three friends finished their chores and gathered together to enjoy a well-deserved meal. They sat at the table with their families, laughing and talking as they shared stories and experiences.

“Hey, Aric, remember that time when you got stuck in that old well?” Jaxon asked, grinning. “I thought we were going to have to dig you out with a shovel!”

Aric laughed and shook his head. “Yeah, that was a memorable experience,” he said. “But at least I didn’t fall in like you did last year.”

“Hey, that was a one-time thing!” Jaxon protested. “I was just trying to help Rhen with his fishing and I slipped.”

Rhen chuckled and shook his head. “You guys are always getting into trouble,” he said. “But I’m glad I have you as my friends. You always have my back, no matter what.”

Aric and Jaxon nodded, their eyes shining with friendship and camaraderie. They knew that they would always be there for each other, no matter what challenges they faced in the future.

As the sun set and the stars came out, the three friends said their goodbyes and went to their homes, exhausted but happy. They didn’t know it yet, but their peaceful lives were about to be shattered by a terrible tragedy.

7.2. Drill Down of an Outline

PROMPT: Who are the group of raiders who is about to attack Willowdale? Provide a very long narrative that includes oral banter between the raiders.

chatGPT: The group of raiders who was about to attack Willowdale was led by the ruthless warlord Karmak. He was a tall, muscular man with a scarred face and cold, hard eyes. He was feared and hated by all who knew him, and he relished the thought of causing destruction and chaos.

Karmak was surrounded by a group of loyal followers, who were just as ruthless and cruel as he was. They were a diverse group, made up of men, women, and even some goblins and orcs. They were armed to the teeth and eager for battle, and they laughed and jeered as they rode towards Willowdale.

“Come on, boys and girls, let’s show these weaklings what we’re made of!” Karmak shouted, brandishing his sword. “We’ll take their food, their women, and their lives, and leave nothing but ashes in our wake!”

His followers cheered and whooped, eager to wreak havoc on Willowdale. They rode through the forest, their horses’ hooves pounding the ground and their weapons gleaming in the sunlight.

“Hey, Karmak, I heard that this village has a lot of gold and jewels,” one of the raiders called out. “Do you think we’ll be able to find some treasure?”

“Of course we will,” Karmak replied with a grin. “We’ll take whatever we want, and leave the rest for the crows. These villagers are weak and helpless, and they won’t be able to stop us.”

“Yeah, they’re just a bunch of farmers and peasants,” another raider sneered. “They don’t stand a chance against us. We’ll crush them like bugs.”

The raiders laughed and jeered, relishing the thought of the destruction and chaos they were about to unleash. They rode on, eager to reach Willowdale and begin their rampage.

7.3. Drill Down of an Outline

PROMPT: How did Aric, Jaxon, and Rhen try to fight off the band of raiders who were stronger than them and barely escaped alive by chance of luck? Provide a very long narrative that includes oral banter between friends as well as fighting between Aric, Jaxon, and Rhen and raiders.

chatGPT: When the band of raiders reached Willowdale, they were met with fierce resistance from Aric, Jaxon, and Rhen. Despite being outnumbered and outmatched, the three friends fought bravely and fiercely, determined to defend their village and their loved ones.

“Come on, boys, let’s show these raiders what we’re made of!” Aric shouted, wielding his sword with skill and determination. “We’ll fight for our homes and our families, and we won’t back down!”

“Yeah, we won’t let them take anything from us!” Jaxon cried, brandishing his own weapon. “We’ll fight to the death if we have to!”

“We won’t give up, no matter what they throw at us!” Rhen added, his voice fierce and resolute. “We’ll stand our ground and show them that we’re not afraid!”

The raiders laughed and jeered at the three friends, thinking them foolish and naive. But they soon realized that they had underestimated their opponents, and that they were in for a tougher fight than they had anticipated.

Aric, Jaxon, and Rhen fought with skill and determination, their blades flashing and their movements graceful and precise. They battled the raiders with a ferocity that surprised even themselves, and they soon began to gain the upper hand.

“Come on, boys, we’re not going to let these puny farmers defeat us!” Karmak shouted, his face red with anger and frustration. “We’ll crush them and take whatever we want!”

The raiders redoubled their efforts, their weapons crashing against Aric, Jaxon, and Rhen’s with renewed vigor. But the three friends fought on, determined to hold their ground and to protect their village.

As the battle raged on, it became clear that the raiders were starting to falter. Aric, Jaxon, and Rhen were fighting with a strength and skill that they had never before possessed, and they were slowly but surely pushing the raiders back.

But despite their best efforts, the three friends knew that they were vastly outnumbered and that they could not hold out forever. They fought on, their muscles straining and their bodies covered in sweat and blood, but they knew that they were losing the battle.

Just when it seemed that all was lost, a stroke of luck saved Aric, Jaxon, and Rhen. A group of warriors from a nearby kingdom arrived, drawn by the sounds of the battle. They quickly joined the fray, their weapons flashing and their armor shining.

The raiders, realizing that they were now outnumbered and outmatched, quickly retreated, leaving Willowdale behind. Aric, Jaxon, and Rhen were saved, but their village was in ruins and their loved ones were dead or missing.

Heartbroken and devastated, the three friends knew that they could never go back to the lives they had once known. They had to leave Willowdale behind and seek a new future in the world of Agnoron. And so, they set out into the wilderness, determined to find a new home and to seek revenge against the raiders who had ruined their lives.

7.4. Drill Down of an Outline

PROMPT: Heartbroken and devastated, Aric, Jaxon, and Rhen vowed to seek revenge against Karmak and his men, and to reclaim the life that had been stolen from them. And so, they set out into the wilderness, determined to forge a new path for themselves and to find a new home in the world of Agnoron. Provide a very long narrative that includes oral banter between friends and their sorrows of lives lost.

chatGPT: Heartbroken and devastated, Aric, Jaxon, and Rhen vowed to seek revenge against Karmak and his men, and to reclaim the life that had been stolen from them. They gathered together, their faces grim and their eyes shining with determination.

“We won’t let those raiders get away with what they did to Willowdale,” Aric said, his voice fierce and resolute. “We’ll find them, and we’ll make them pay for what they did.”

“Yeah, we won’t rest until we’ve avenged our friends and families,” Jaxon added, his fists clenched with anger. “We’ll make them regret the day they ever set foot in Willowdale.”

“We won’t give up, no matter how long it takes or how hard the journey is,” Rhen said, his voice steady and strong. “We’ll find Karmak and his men, and we’ll make them pay for what they did to us.”

The three friends set out into the wilderness, their hearts heavy with grief and their minds focused on their quest for revenge. They traveled for days, braving harsh weather and dangerous beasts as they searched for Karmak and his men.

As they journeyed, they shared their sorrows and their memories of the loved ones they had lost. They talked about their hopes and their dreams, and they comforted each other when they were feeling down.

“I can’t believe that Lily is gone,” Aric said, his voice choked with tears. “She was so young and full of life, and she had so much potential. I’ll never forget her, and I’ll always cherish the memories we shared.”

“I know, man, I feel the same way about my parents,” Jaxon said, his eyes shining with tears. “They were always there for me, no matter what. I miss them so much, and I wish I could see them one last time.”

“I lost my sister and my brother in the raid,” Rhen said, his voice tight with emotion. “They were my only family, and I loved them more than anything. I’ll never forget them, and I’ll always carry them in my heart.”

The three friends continued their journey, determined to find Karmak and his men and to make them pay for the lives they had destroyed. They traveled for weeks, braving dangers and hardships, until they finally reached the kingdom of Agnoron.

There, they hoped to find the help and support they needed to continue their quest for

This is a very time-consuming process where there are a lot of back-and-forth interactions between you and AI. Expect to spend days completing an outline of a novel.

I hope this article is helpful. If you have any questions, please leave comments and feedback here.

Resources

The following is a resource used or referenced in this tutorial: