GAI & the creative process (part 2)
Continuing on from my last post, let’s see if we can modify the prompt provided to my model to generate better content or provide additional ideas for exploring in the story.
Following the output from my first prompt, I added the following:
Expand on Roran’s motivation for entering into the woods. Make him much more cautious of meeting an elf, no matter how beautiful.
By building on the same chat session with the model, it ‘understands’ its prior output, allowing me to reference the character name it provided previously. It also knows to use that prior output as a starting point for this iteration. The revised output:
I trudged through the dense undergrowth of the exotic forest glen, my weary limbs protesting each step. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows over the jagged peaks and rocky crags that towered above me. My heart ached with longing for home, but the allure of the rare and valuable herbs that grew within this enchanted woodland kept me pressing onward. The forest was said to be cursed, filled with magical creatures and elusive beings, some friendly, others not so much. I had heard stories of humans being lured into its depths and never returning. But the promise of a lucrative sale at the market in the nearby human village drove me on.
As I ventured deeper into the forest, my senses were on high alert. Every sound, every rustle in the bushes was met with suspicion and fear. I had grown up hearing tales of the elves that inhabited these woods – tales of their magical powers and their hatred for humans. The elven race was rumored to guard their territory fiercely, and many a human adventurer had fallen victim to their enchantments or traps.
Despite my caution, I couldn’t deny the allure of the ethereal beauty that surrounded me. The sky above was painted in vibrant hues of orange, pink, and purple as the sun began its descent towards the horizon. The forest floor was bathed in a soft golden glow, the leaves shimmering like precious gems against the rich tapestry of greens and browns.
But then, my senses were jolted from their reverie by the sound of movement nearby. My hand instinctively reached for the hilt of my sword as fear gripped my heart. But as the figure emerged from the shadows, I found myself unable to summon the anger and hatred that had once fueled my prejudices.
Before me stood a beautiful elven woman, her skin an otherworldly shade of green, her eyes shimmering like sapphires. Her delicate features were adorned with intricately woven vines and petals, a testament to the magical bond she shared with the forest. The sight took my breath away, leaving me momentarily speechless.
But I knew that beauty alone was not enough to trust this creature. My mind raced with the stories I had heard, the tales of elven deception and human naivety. But as I looked into her eyes, I saw only kindness and curiosity. I could sense no malice or ill intent, only a genuine desire to connect with me.
And yet, I couldn’t ignore the gnawing fear that lurked in the back of my mind. The thought of defying centuries of hatred between our races weighed heavily on my shoulders. But as I looked into her eyes once more, I knew that if there was even a glimmer of hope for love and understanding between us, it was worth taking the risk.
“I am Eolande,” she introduced herself, extending a graceful hand towards me. “And you are?”
My throat went dry as I took her hand, feeling the gentle touch of her fingers on my skin. “I’m Roran,” I stammered, unsure of what to make of this moment. But as I looked into her eyes once more, I knew that I wanted to explore this connection further, despite the odds against us and the warnings of those who came before me. The forest held its breath, waiting to see if we would let our preconceptions and hatreds stand in the way of love or if we could find a new path forward, one of understanding and acceptance.
This is a little better, but still not what I would cut and paste into a story. I’d like to have more motivation for Roran. This is where the power of GAI can help us as writers. Rather than filling out a back-story and coming up with that motivation, I can ask the model!
Prompt: “Why is Roran driven to keep looking for the herbs?”
Roran was driven to keep looking for the rare and valuable herbs within the exotic forest glen for several reasons. Firstly, there was the promise of a lucrative sale at the market in the nearby human village. The herbs were said to be worth a fortune and could bring significant financial gain for Roran if he could successfully acquire them. This motivation fueled his determination to venture into the forest despite the risks and dangers that came with it.
Secondly, there was a deeper sense of adventure and curiosity that drove Roran onward. He had heard tales of the enchanted woods from travelers and elders in his village, stories of magical creatures and rare herbs that could not be found anywhere else. The allure of exploring this unknown land and discovering new wonders kept him pressing forward, even as fear and caution nagged at him.
Lastly, there was a sense of personal challenge and accomplishment that Roran sought in his quest for the herbs. He knew that finding these elusive plants would not be an easy task, but he was determined to overcome any obstacle that came his way. This drive to succeed and prove himself gave him the strength and determination to continue on despite the odds against him.
However, as Roran’s journey progressed and he encountered the beautiful elf Eolande, his motivations began to shift. He found himself drawn to her in a way that went beyond the allure of the herbs or the promise of financial gain. The connection they formed challenged his preconceptions and forced him to question the hatred and mistrust that had long existed between their races.
As Roran continued on his journey, he began to realize that there was more to life than just the pursuit of wealth and material possessions. He discovered that love, understanding, and acceptance were far greater treasures to be sought after. And so, with newfound determination and a desire to break down the barriers between their races, Roran pressed onward, his heart filled with hope for what could be.
Now we’re getting somewhere!
I have three motivations I can use to flesh out Roran’s character and back story. I have an internal conflicts that can create plot points, and I even have a possible overall theme for the story. Here is the value of GAI for writers; It can be used to quickly create ideas for stories to be built around.
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