On Writing with A.I.: Chapter 1 Prose (Patreon)

Yesterday, the A.I. generated a detailed chapter outline for an experimental story exploring how to use these tools to help with writing.  In my experience, these tools are a lot of fun and they can certainly help, at times.  They're also very limited, require a lot of work by the human user in the background, and aren't a substitute for a 'real' writer.... at least, not yet.

So, what can the A.I. write, left to its own devices?  See below!  I've got a few comments at the end.  

In the next post in the series--I guess that's what it's kind of become--I'll show how the human writer can refine the input, improve the A.I.'s output, and work collaboratively with the alogrithm to create something better.  At least, this is what I'm trying with All in a Sea of Wonders. 

***

1 - 2

The musty scent of old books greeted Alex as he pushed open the heavy wooden doors of the university library. His favorite place of solace. 

Alex sighed and ran a hand through his messy auburn hair, glancing around the familiar space. The vaulted ceilings towered above, sunlight filtering in through the stained glass windows above. His worn brown boots thudded against the tile floor as he made his way to his usual table in the back corner, setting down his heavy backpack with a thud. 

He preferred the solitude here. The quiet. Away from the chaos and noise of campus life, the incessant chatter and laughter of other students. Here, he could escape into the comfort of books and history, transported to different times and places. Anywhere but the present. 

Alex sank into a chair and pulled out his copy of The Grapes of Wrath, the familiar yellowed pages creased and folded from multiple re-reads. He lost himself in the poetic prose as a gentle peace settled over him. The library was his sanctuary. A place of respite from the anxiety and self-doubt that too often plagued him in social situations. 

When he was surrounded by others, he felt exposed. Vulnerable. His shyness acted as both a shield and a prison, holding him back from truly connecting with people. But here, he was free to simply be. To escape into the solace of stories and knowledge, a balm for his troubled mind. 

Alex sighed and gazed out the window at the sprawling green campus outside, students walking and talking together in the golden sunlight. He envied them, their easy confidence and casual bonds of friendship. But he also clung to his solitude, a familiar comfort. His place of refuge in a world that too often felt overwhelming. The library was home. 

3 - 4

Alex ran a hand through his messy brown hair and refocused on the book, Steinbeck's words flowing over him in a soothing cadence. But his attention kept wandering to a group of students at a nearby table, chatting and laughing together over their books and papers strewn about. 

He strained to catch snippets of their conversation, curious and longing. What was it like to have that easy camaraderie? A natural rapport with others his age, bonding over common interests and experiences. 

Instead, he hid in the library, avoiding the painful awkwardness of stilted small talk and anxious silences. Conversations that always seemed to peter out just when he thought a connection was forming. 

With a sigh, Alex closed his book, the familiar story no longer distracting from his circling thoughts. He gazed out the window again at the dappled sunlight and shadows on the quad, a kaleidoscope of memories flashing through his mind. 

The laughter of childhood friends turning mocking. Cruel taunts and sneers that etched deep grooves of self-doubt into his soft boyish skin. The slow, creeping realization that he was different from the other boys in ways he couldn't quite articulate. A secret he clutched close for fear of more ridicule and rejection.

His hands curled into fists on the table as he blinked back the sting of tears. Why was it so hard? Why couldn't he just be normal? 

Alex took a shaky breath and stood, grabbing his book bag and hurrying out of the library into the bright afternoon. He walked faster and faster, as if trying to outpace the storm of emotions churning inside. But there was no escape. There never was.

5 - 6

Alex didn't know where he was going, only that he needed to keep moving. His breath came in ragged gasps as he finally slowed near a small park off campus. An old wooden bench beckoned, shaded by the branches of a sprawling oak tree. 

He sank onto the bench and dropped his head in his hands, squeezing his eyes shut against the barrage of unwelcome memories. 

"Rough day?" 

Alex jerked his head up at the soft voice, heart pounding. A girl sat down next to him, offering a kind smile and concerned gaze. She had wavy brown hair and bright blue eyes that seemed to peer right into his soul. 

He opened his mouth but no words came out. What could he possibly say to this stranger? That he was a mess of anxieties and insecurities, lonely and adrift? 

"I'm Sophie," she said gently. "And it's okay if you don't feel like talking. I just thought you could use some company." 

Alex blinked back tears again, overwhelmed by her kindness. "I—I'm Alex," he managed softly. 

Sophie's smile widened. "It's nice to meet you, Alex. This is my favorite spot on campus to sit and think. The view is so peaceful, isn't it?" 

He followed her gaze to the dappled shadows dancing across the lawn. For the first time, the sight evoked a sense of solace rather than sorrow. 

"Yeah," he said, a flicker of warmth chasing away the chill in his chest. "It is." 

Maybe he wasn't so alone after all.

7 - 8

A few weeks later, Alex found himself sitting in the same spot, waiting for Sophie as usual. She had become a steady presence in his life, coaxing him out of his shell with her empathy and humor. While he still struggled in social situations, her encouragement inspired him to push past his comfort zone. 

"Ready for the party tonight?" Sophie asked, plopping down beside him. 

Alex stiffened. In his eagerness to please her, he had agreed to attend a party hosted by their mutual friend. But the thought of navigating crowded rooms and stilted small talk still filled him with dread. 

Sophie seemed to sense his apprehension. "We don't have to go if you're not up for it," she said gently. "I just want you to have a good time." 

"No, I—I want to try," Alex said. He owed it to Sophie and himself to at least make an effort, as difficult as it would be. "Will you come with me?" 

"Of course!" Sophie grinned. "We'll have fun together. And if at any point you feel uncomfortable, just let me know and we'll head out. Okay?" 

Alex swallowed hard, but managed a small smile. "Okay." 

Maybe with Sophie by his side, he could work through the anxieties and insecurities, if only for one night. Her encouragement had given him the courage to push past his comfort zone before. 

He took a deep breath and stood. It was time to try again.

9 - 10

The party was already in full swing by the time they arrived. A sea of unfamiliar faces and boisterous laughter greeted them, the assault of sounds and stimuli instantly overwhelming Alex's senses. 

He froze in the doorway, panic rising in his chest. But Sophie gave his hand a gentle squeeze, grounding him in the moment. 

"You've got this," she said softly. "Just take it slow." 

Alex nodded, following her lead as she guided them further inside. His heart pounded with every step, a desperate urge to flee nearly overtaking him. 

Sophie seemed to sense his inner turmoil. She steered them to a quieter corner of the room and fetched them drinks, creating a buffer between Alex and the chaos. 

"Better?" she asked. Alex managed a jerky nod, relief flooding him at the reprieve. 

A few people approached to chat with Sophie, who introduced Alex to each of them in turn. Though the conversations were stilted and awkward, Sophie kept them light and casual, taking the pressure off of Alex to contribute much. 

Gradually, Alex began to relax into the experience. The music and voices seemed less jarring, the crowd less suffocating. He was even able to exchange a few words with others, laughing at their jokes and asking questions about shared interests. 

While Alex would never be the life of the party, for the first time he felt like he could belong in a space like this. All because of Sophie, and her quiet encouragement that gave him the strength to push past the fears holding him back. 

Maybe one day, he thought, he wouldn't need the safety net of her presence to venture out like this. But for now, he was simply grateful she was there, helping him find his courage one step at a time.

11 - 12

Sophie glanced over at Alex, a smile tugging at her lips. "See? I told you this wouldn't be so bad."

Alex ducked his head, a flush creeping up his neck. But he was smiling too. "You were right. I'm...I'm actually having a good time."

"I'm glad to hear it." Sophie nudged him with her shoulder. "You seem a lot more relaxed. It's nice to see you coming out of your shell like this."

"It's thanks to you," Alex said earnestly. "I don't know if I could've done this without your support." 

Sophie waved a hand. "Don't be silly. You're braver than you give yourself credit for." 

Alex didn't quite believe that, but her faith in him meant the world. Maybe, with time and practice, he could grow into the person she saw in him. 

The music shifted to an upbeat pop song, and a few people started dancing in the center of the room. Alex watched them, a wistful yearning stirring in his chest. He'd always been too self-conscious to dance in front of others, but in that moment, he wanted nothing more than to join in.

Sophie seemed to read his mind. She grabbed his hand, tugging him toward the impromptu dance floor. "Come on!"

Alex balked. "What? No, I can't—" 

"Yes, you can," she insisted. "It's just for fun. No one here cares if you have two left feet." 

He wavered, torn between his longing to participate and the fear of making a fool of himself. But one look at Sophie's encouraging smile gave him the push he needed.

Taking a deep breath, Alex let her lead him into the throng of dancers. He started off stiff and awkward, overly aware of the eyes around him, but Sophie's enthusiasm was contagious. 

Soon he was moving without thinking, spinning and twisting to the music. A laugh bubbled up in his chest, escaping in a joyful whoop. 

In that perfect moment, Alex felt truly free. 

13 - 14

Alex rode the high of his newfound freedom for the rest of the night. Even after the party wound down and he and Sophie headed back to their dorms, he felt lighter and more at ease than he could ever remember. 

It wasn't until he was alone in his room that the doubts started to creep in. What if everyone had been laughing at him for making a fool of himself on the dance floor? His face flushed at the memory of his uninhibited shouting and spinning. 

He was jarred from his anxious thoughts by a text from Sophie: You were amazing tonight! I'm so proud of you for putting yourself out there. 

Alex smiled, the flush fading into a warm glow. With a friend like Sophie believing in him, he could face down his fears and insecurities. He typed out a reply: Thank you for always encouraging me. I wouldn't have had the courage without you. 

Her response was instant: That's what friends are for! But the courage has always been inside you. I'm just here to remind you of how special you are. 

Alex read the message over and over, letting Sophie's words sink in. She was right—he had found bravery within himself tonight, and if he could do that once, he could do it again. The path ahead would not always be easy, but with Sophie by his side, he could walk it with head held high.

From that day on, Alex made an effort to push past his shyness in small ways, whether striking up a conversation with a classmate or trying a new club on campus. And whenever self-doubt threatened to drag him down again, he remembered the feeling of freedom he'd found on the dance floor and the friend who'd helped him discover it. He was ready to embrace all the possibilities the world had to offer.

15 - 16

The next day, Alex woke up feeling refreshed and optimistic. He lay in bed for a moment, basking in the sunlight streaming through his window, and recalled the memory of dancing with abandon at the party. A smile crept across his face as he thought of Sophie and her endless encouragement. She had seen his potential when he couldn't, and helped guide him to a place of self-acceptance. 

With a newfound courage, Alex got out of bed and opened his closet. Usually, he gravitated towards neutral, unassuming clothing, but today he felt drawn to a floral patterned button-down he'd bought on impulse. The vibrant colors and unconventional print had always seemed too bold for his taste, but now they resonated with him. He put the shirt on and admired his reflection in the mirror, noticing a spark in his eyes that hadn't been there before. 

When Alex arrived on campus, he felt buoyed by his bright outfit and open attitude. He walked with purpose and made eye contact with those he passed, offering a smile or greeting. The responses he received in turn boosted his confidence, from friendly waves to appreciative glances at his shirt. By the time he reached his first class, Alex was brimming with self-assuredness. 

As Alex took his usual seat near the back of the room, a girl he recognized from various campus clubs caught his eye. Her name was Emily, and though they had never spoken before, there was a familiarity in the way she looked at him—as if she saw something special beneath his shyness. Heart pounding, Alex gathered his courage and sat next to her. 

"That shirt looks great on you," Emily said, flashing him a dazzling smile. Alex felt his cheeks flush, but not with embarrassment. He smiled back, making direct eye contact for the first time. 

"Thank you! I'm Alex, by the way." He held out his hand, which Emily shook warmly. 

"Emily. It's nice to finally meet you, Alex." 

Alex's heart soared at her words. "The pleasure is mine," he said. And he meant it. This was the start of something new.

17 - 18

The professor started the lecture, but Alex found it difficult to focus. His mind kept drifting to Emily sitting beside him, and the way she would glance over and smile every so often. He wanted nothing more than to talk to her, to get to know the girl who had given him that dazzling smile and made him feel special. 

When the class ended an hour later, Alex gathered his things slowly, hoping Emily would do the same. His heart leaped as she slid her books into her bag at a leisurely pace, clearly in no rush to leave. 

"Would you like to get coffee?" Alex asked, the words tumbling from his mouth before he could stop them. But he didn't want to stop them—not this time. 

Emily's smile widened. "I'd love to." 

They walked across campus together, conversing as easily as if they had known each other for years. Emily was studying English Lit, she loved classic novels, and she volunteered at an animal shelter in her free time. Everything she said only made Alex like her more. 

At the coffee shop, they took a table by the window and talked for hours. Alex opened up to Emily in a way he never had with anyone before. He told her about his struggles to fit in, and how Sophie had helped him start to overcome his shyness. Emily listened with empathy and understanding, sharing parts of her own story in turn. 

By the time the sun began to set, casting an orange glow over the shop, Alex felt as though a vital part of him had been missing until now. Emily had slipped into his life and filled that empty space, bringing light to the darkest corners of his heart. He knew then that this was the start of something life-changing. Something beautiful. 

Alex walked Emily back to her dorm, their hands clasped together and swinging between them. At her door, he pulled her into an embrace and felt her sink against him with a contented sigh. 

"Thank you for today," Alex whispered, pressing a soft kiss to her hair. "You've made me happier than I ever thought I could be." 

Emily tilted her head up, eyes shining with emotion. "You've made me happy too," she said. "Happier than I ever dreamed I could be." 

Alex kissed her then, tender and sweet, sealing the bond that had formed between them. When at last they parted, it was with smiles and whispered goodnights, and plans to meet again the next day.

Alex practically floated back to his own dorm, heart bursting with joy. Today had been a turning point—the start of his new life, and new love, with Emily by his side.

19 - 19

The next day, Alex woke with a smile on his face, memories of the previous day playing through his mind like a sweet melody. He couldn't wait to see Emily again, to get lost in the depths of her hazel eyes and the warmth of her embrace. 

After his morning classes, Alex headed over to Emily's dorm with a spring in his step. When she opened the door, his heart swelled at the sight of her radiant smile. She looked lovely in a floral dress, hair tumbling over her shoulders in chestnut waves. 

"Hi," Emily said, pulling him into a hug. "I've been thinking about you all day." 

"You're all I could think about too," Alex admitted, kissing the top of her head. "Do you want to go for a walk? Maybe by the river?" 

"That sounds perfect." 

Hand in hand, they made their way to the Rideau River, strolling along the shore with no particular destination in mind. A comfortable silence fell between them, broken only by Emily's melodic laughter and the chirping of birds in the trees. 

As the sun began to set, casting an orange glow over the rippling water, Alex stopped and pulled Emily into his arms. "I don't want this day to end," he said softly, gazing into her eyes. "Every moment with you feels like a dream I never want to wake from." 

Emily smiled, reaching up to caress his cheek. "Then don't wake up," she whispered. "Stay here, with me, forever." 

Alex's heart swelled at her words. In that moment, he knew with absolute certainty that he would stay by Emily's side for as long as she'd have him. She was his home now, the one he would always return to. His forever. 

"Forever," he echoed, and sealed his promise with a kiss.

The end.

***

So, what to make of this?

On the one hand - well, it's a story.  Not a very good one, but it has a definite sense of a start, middle and an end.  There's some very mild conflict, but not much, really, and everything resolves pretty easily.  The A.I. lost track that of the fact this was an opening chapter, and so resolved the whole thing with a rather cliched ending.  There are a few snippets of prose setting the scene, but generally it just rushes along to its conclusion.  It's the kind of thing I might expect a high school student to submit, writing under timed conditions - one who has a solid grasp of spelling and grammar and basic sentence structure, but struggles with higher-level notions of character, setting, theme and narrative.

But on the other hand - there are some bits that surprised me.  The hints at a troubled past, the flowery shirt; there's something here that could easily be developed, linked to the TG theme and made into something more meaningful.

Well, I'll start to look into how the human writer can make that happen in the next post.