How To Get The Best Response From ChatGPT for Novel Writing Part 2

So, in the process of trying to get ChatGPT to write long form stories for me, I noticed that sometimes the responses would be a lot shorter than I expected and lacking in detail or dialog.

So… what to do? Well, I just asked ChatGPT “Can you show me some commands to get the best, most detailed outputs when writing a story?

ChatGPT: Here are some commands you can use to generate detailed and descriptive text when writing a story:

    • Use the prompt command to provide a clear and specific topic for the model to write about. For example: prompt: Write a story about a young girl who discovers a magical garden in the woods.
    • Use the length command to specify the length of the generated text. For example: length: 1500
    • Use the temperature command to control the level of creativity and randomness in the generated text. A higher temperature will result in more creative and varied text, while a lower temperature will result in more consistent and predictable text. For example: temperature: 0.8
    • Use the top_p command to control the proportion of the generated text that comes from the model’s top choices. A higher top_p will result in more coherent and consistent text, while a lower top_p will result in more varied and unpredictable text. For example: top_p: 0.9
    • Use the stop command to specify a stopping point for the generation. For example, you can use stop: "She entered the garden and was amazed by its beauty."
    • Use the n command to generate multiple outputs at once, which will give you more options to choose from. For example: n: 3

Please note that the actual commands and the parameter values may vary depending on the platform you are using.

 

What commands/prompt should be used to continue on a prior output?

ChatGPT: To continue on a prior output, you can use the continue command along with the prompt command. The continue command tells the model to continue generating text based on the previous output, while the prompt command provides additional context or information for the model to use.

For example, if your previous output was:

She entered the garden and was amazed by its beauty. She saw a small pond with a fountain in the center, and a variety of colorful flowers and lush plants surrounding it.

You can use the following command to continue the story:

prompt: continue

 

You can also use the prefix command to specify the text you want the model to start with, this would be the text that you want to continue on.

prefix: She entered the garden and was amazed by its beauty. She saw a small pond with a fountain in the center, and a variety of colorful flowers and lush plants surrounding it.

Please keep in mind that since the model is using the previous output as context, it may generate outputs that are not coherent or consistent with the previous output. Also, the actual command may vary depending on the platform you are using.

 

Can you show me examples of prompts to use when writing a novel?

ChatGPT: Sure, here are some examples of prompts you can use when writing a novel:

    • “Write a story about a young woman who discovers a secret society and must navigate its dangerous politics to uncover the truth about her past.”
    • “Write a science fiction novel about a team of astronauts who embark on a mission to save Earth from an alien invasion.”
    • “Write a fantasy novel about a powerful sorcerer who must unite the kingdoms of his world to defeat a common enemy.”
    • “Write a mystery novel about a detective who must solve a string of murders that seem to be connected to a dark and mysterious cult.”
    • “Write a historical fiction novel about a young woman who becomes embroiled in the French Revolution and must navigate the dangerous political landscape to survive.”
    • “Write a romance novel about a young couple who fall in love while on a journey to find a legendary treasure.”
    • “Write a dystopian novel about a society in which people’s thoughts and emotions are controlled by a powerful government, and a small group of rebels who fight to reclaim their freedom.”
    • “Write a coming of age novel about a teenager who struggles to find their place in the world and learn to navigate the complexities of adulthood.”

Keep in mind that you can use different combination of the above prompts and more details to generate more specific and detailed story. Also, the actual command may vary depending on the platform you are using.

 

After an outline has been created for a story, what types of commands/prompts should I use to write each chapter and keep everything consistent?

ChatGPT: After creating an outline for a story, you can use a combination of different types of commands and prompts to write each chapter and keep everything consistent.

    • Use the prompt command to provide a clear and specific topic for each chapter. For example, you can use the following prompt for the first chapter: prompt: Write the first chapter of the story, in which the main character is introduced and the plot is set in motion.
    • Use the prefix command to specify the text you want the model to start with, in this case, it would be the outline or summary of the chapter you want to write.
    • Use the length command to specify the length of the generated text. For example, you can use length: 3000 to write a chapter of about 3000 words.
    • Use the temperature command to control the level of creativity and randomness in the generated text. A lower temperature will result in more consistent and predictable text, while a higher temperature will result in more creative and varied text.
    • Use the top_p command to control the proportion of the generated text that comes from the model’s top choices. A higher top_p will result in more coherent and consistent text, while a lower top_p will result in more varied and unpredictable text.
    • Use the stop command to specify a stopping point for the generation, for example, you can use stop: "The chapter ends with the main character facing a difficult decision."
    • Use the n command to generate multiple outputs at once, which will give you more options to choose from.

You can also use the continue command along with the prompt command to continue the story and keep consistency. This command tells the model to continue generating text based on the previous output, while the prompt command provides additional context or information for the model to use.

Please note that the actual commands and parameter values may vary depending on the platform you are using.

 

What are some commands to get detailed descriptions of characters?

ChatGPT: Here are some commands you can use to generate detailed descriptions of characters:

    • Use the prompt command to provide a clear and specific topic for the model to write about. For example: prompt: Write a detailed description of a character named John, who is a successful businessman but struggles with inner demons.
    • Use the length command to specify the length of the generated text. For example: length: 500
    • Use the temperature command to control the level of creativity and randomness in the generated text. A higher temperature will result in more creative and varied text, while a lower temperature will result in more consistent and predictable text. For example: temperature: 0.8
    • Use the top_p command to control the proportion of the generated text that comes from the model’s top choices. A higher top_p will result in more coherent and consistent text, while a lower top_p will result in more varied and unpredictable text. For example: top_p: 0.9
    • Use the stop command to specify a stopping point for the generation. For example, you can use stop: "John's inner demons are revealed when he starts to feel guilty about his success."
    • Use the n command to generate multiple outputs at once, which will give you more options to choose from. For example: n: 3
    • You can also use the prefix command to specify any information you want the model to start with. For example, you can use prefix: John is a tall man with dark brown hair and piercing blue eyes. He is always impeccably dressed in a tailored suit.

Please note that the actual commands and the parameter values may vary depending on the platform you are using.

 

What commands/prompts key words can be used to get more detailed descriptions of the actions taking place in the story?

ChatGPT: Here are some commands and prompt keywords that you can use to get more detailed descriptions of the actions taking place in the story:

    • Use the prompt command to provide a clear and specific topic for the model to write about, for example: prompt: Write a detailed description of a fight scene between two characters in a dark alley.
    • Use the length command to specify the length of the generated text. For example: length: 800
    • Use the temperature command to control the level of creativity and randomness in the generated text. A higher temperature will result in more creative and varied text, while a lower temperature will result in more consistent and predictable text. For example: temperature: 0.8
    • Use the top_p command to control the proportion of the generated text that comes from the model’s top choices. A higher top_p will result in more coherent and consistent text, while a lower top_p will result in more varied and unpredictable text. For example: top_p: 0.9
    • Use the stop command to specify a stopping point for the generation. For example, you can use stop: "The fight ends with one character victorious and the other badly injured."
    • Use the n command to generate multiple outputs at once, which will give you more options to choose from. For example: n: 3
    • Use descriptive words and phrases in the prompt to get more detailed descriptions such as “sensory details”, “visceral”, “action-packed” “intense” “gritty” “breathtaking” “fast-paced” “gripping” “dramatic”
    • Use the prefix command to specify any information you want the model to start with, for example, you can use prefix: The fight takes place in a dark alley, illuminated only by the flickering neon lights of the nearby businesses.

Please note that the actual commands and the parameter values may vary depending on the platform you are using.

 

Give me an example of using the Length, n, and prefix command.

ChatGPT: Here is an example of using the length, n, and prefix commands together:

prompt: Write the next scene of the story
prefix: The main character, John, had just discovered that his wife was cheating on him. He was sitting in his living room, staring blankly at the wall, trying to process the news.
length: 600
n: 2

In this example, the prompt command tells the model to write the next scene of the story. The prefix command provides context for the model by specifying that the main character, John, had just discovered that his wife was cheating on him and he is in a state of shock. The length command specifies that the generated text should be 600 words long. The n command tells the model to generate 2 different outputs.

As a result, the model will use the information provided in the prefix command to continue the scene and generate 2 different outputs of 600 words each that continues the story and describes the main character’s reaction and actions after the discovery of his wife’s infidelity.

Please note that the actual commands and parameter values may vary depending on the platform you are using.

 

Okay, so first off, it kept showing me the same commands over and over. I kept trying to use the “N”, “Temperature” and “Length” commands to get multiple responses, more variety and longer outputs, however none of these prompts ever worked in ChatGPT. Perhaps they were used in a prior version or in OpenAI’s Playground.

In addition, using “Continue” did not always work either. Sometimes it acted more like “Regenerate Response”. I found that using “continue from last response”, “continue from last two sentences”, or “continue from: [input last sentence] seemed to return more consistent results to actually continue the story.

Using Prompt and Prefix seems to work pretty well. For example:

Prompt: Write a 500 word scene where a kangaroo meets a dolphin for the first time.

Prefix: Happy the kangaroo is hopping down the road as fast as he can trying to catch the boat but just misses it.

Happy the kangaroo was hopping as fast as he could down the road, his long legs carrying him swiftly towards the docks. He had heard from some of his animal friends that there was a new visitor in town, and he was determined to meet them.

As he got closer to the docks, he saw a group of dolphins jumping and playing in the water. Happy had never seen anything like it before. He had heard about dolphins, but he had never met one. He watched in awe as they soared through the water with ease and grace.

Suddenly, one of the dolphins noticed him and swam over to the edge of the dock. Happy was a bit nervous at first, but he was also curious. The dolphin introduced himself as Finn and asked Happy what he was doing there.

Happy explained that he had heard about Finn and his friends and was hoping to meet them. Finn was delighted to have a new friend and invited Happy to come closer to the water so they could chat.

As Happy hopped closer, Finn asked him about his home and family. Happy told him all about his life in the outback, the other kangaroos he knew, and the adventures he had been on. Finn listened intently, amazed by Happy’s stories and curious about his life in the outback.

After a while, Happy started to feel thirsty. Finn noticed and offered to show him how to drink from the ocean. Happy had never drunk salt water before, but Finn showed him how to take small sips and rinse his mouth out with fresh water afterward. It tasted a bit strange, but Happy was grateful for the drink.

As the sun started to set, Finn and Happy said their goodbyes. Happy hopped back down the road, feeling grateful for his new friend and the exciting adventure he had just experienced. He couldn’t wait to tell the other animals about his encounter with the dolphins.

From that day on, Happy visited Finn and the other dolphins at the docks every chance he got. They would play and swim together, and Happy even taught Finn how to hop like a kangaroo. Despite being different species, they had formed a strong bond and cherished their friendship.

As Happy hopped away from the docks, he couldn’t help but feel grateful for the chance encounter that had led him to meet Finn and the other dolphins. It just goes to show that sometimes the most unlikely friendships can be the most special.

It took the story in a bit different direction than I was envisioning, probably because it appears to have missed the boat part, literally and figuratively.

 

Note 1: Featured image created using Leonardo.ai

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