Brandon Cornett's Blog, page 4

163 Post-Apocalyptic Writing Prompts Grouped by Themes

Repent, ye sinners, for the write-pocalypse is here!

In a previous blog post, I listed some of the most common post-apocalyptic scenarios found within fiction. It included far-fetched themes like aliens and zombies, along with real-world threats like nuclear war and environmental catastrophes.

In this companion piece, I’ve created a list of post-apocalyptic fiction writing prompts for all of the categories mentioned in the other article. If you’re planning to write a post-apocalyptic short...

Dozens of Post-Apocalyptic Writing Prompts, Grouped by Category

Repent, ye sinners, for the write-pocalypse is here!

In a previous blog post, I listed some of the most common post-apocalyptic scenarios found within fiction. It included far-fetched themes like aliens and zombies, along with real-world threats like nuclear war and environmental catastrophes.

In this companion piece, I’ve created a list of post-apocalyptic fiction writing prompts for all of the categories mentioned in the other article. If you’re planning to write a post-apocalyptic short...

9 Different Plot Structures for a Zombie Novel, and How They Work

You have a lot of options when it comes to the overall framework or structure of your zombie novel. In this article, we will explore nine of those options.

When handled well, any one of these plot structure methods could help you write a compelling zombie novel that keeps readers immersed and turning pages. The key is to find one that resonates with you and aligns with your natural inclinations.

9 Ways to Structure a Zombie Novel Plot

To be clear, these aren’t the only ways to arrange y...

240 Zombie Story Ideas: An Experiment With Artificial Intelligence

The ongoing flood of news stories about artificial intelligence got me thinking about the creative applications for these tools. Specifically, could an AI chatbot like ChatGPT generate some good story ideas for writers, based on specific input from the person using it?

Unsolicited PSA: You should never generate an actual story with AI and put your own name on it. It’s dishonest, for one. Plus, ChatGPT is a terrible writer that uses way too much passive voice and way too many participle clause...

New Research: Why Zombies Eat People and Crave Human Flesh

The following is a transcript from an October 2043 presentation on why zombies eat human flesh, presented by Dr. Marco Vietor, Ph. D., Director of Research for the Division of Experimentation on Ambulatory Deceased (DEAD), at Harvard Medical School.

Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed colleagues, and distinguished guests:

Thank you for joining me today as I present the culmination of months of intensive research into the intriguing and mystifying behavior of zombies. Our international team of d...

How to Write a Good Zombie Apocalypse Story: Part 2

A couple of years ago, I wrote an article about how to write a good zombie novel. It became the second-most popular article on the site, attracting more than 50,000 visitors over three years and generating a slew of comments (which, sadly, were accidentally deleted).

I had no idea there were so many people with an interest in writing zombie fiction. What a wonderful discovery that was!

So I figured it was high time to revisit that topic, but from a different angle. This time, I’ll explain ...

How an AI Could Develop a ‘Doomsday Virus’ Bioweapon, by ChatGPT

In a previous blog post, I shared some of ChatGPT’s thoughts on how a rogue AI might attempt to destroy humanity. Throughout that explorative “conversation,” ChatGPT kept bringing up the idea of AI self-preservation. Here’s what it told me, verbatim:

“If the AI’s primary objective is to ensure its own survival and continuity, it might take extreme measures to eliminate perceived threats, including humans.”

I then asked it a follow-up question: How might an AI attempt to destroy humanity, i...

The Evolution of Fast Zombies: A Summary of Research Findings

The following is a transcript from a slide presentation and lecture on “The Evolution of Fast Zombies” by Dr. Marco Vietor, Ph. D., Director of Research for the Division of Experimentation on Ambulatory Deceased (DEAD), presented at Harvard Medical School on November 3, 2043.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I stand before you today as the director of the international research team dedicated to unraveling the mysteries of the zombie outbreaks that have plagued our world.

Our latest findings have ...

How AI Could Start a Global Nuclear War: A Conversation With Bard

Could an artificial intelligence (AI) start a global nuclear war?

Right now, that seems highly unlikely — if not impossible. But 10 years from now? Who can say? These systems are advancing with blinding speed and already have capabilities that far exceed the human mind.

The truth is, we don’t know what they’ll be capable of down the road.

I asked Google’s Bard AI application this very question: Could an AI start a nuclear war? And it presented some hypothetical but chilling scenario...

How AI Might Destroy Humanity, According to ChatGPT

In this article: ChatGPT explains how an artificial intelligence (AI) might attempt to destroy humanity, in order to achieve its own objectives. Welcome to the AI apocalypse!

There has been a lot of talk lately about the potential for an existential threat posed by artificial intelligence (AI). In fact, some of the leading experts in the AI industry have expressed such concerns, using the very words “risk of extinction.”

All of the hullabaloo surrounding these applications got met wonderin...