Story Telling AI
Note: As this past weekend was Memorial Day, I decided to take a short break from writing Sophie's World 2.0. However, I wanted to share an expanded article I wrote about how I use AI in my storytelling process.
Many people have asked how I have used AI in my writing process for Sophie's World 2.0, a story based on the nightly tales I told my kids about future AI. Through my work in understanding brains (creativity, critical thinking, etc.) and AI (how they work), I've come to realize that simply having AI take over tasks like storytelling is the shallowest use of this technology.
As someone with over 30 years of experience in storytelling, I believe that using even the best AI to write stories for me would lack the depth of knowledge I bring to these narratives. Our brains are amazing at simulating our world, especially our social world, thanks to decades of fine-tuning and billions of years of evolution. The key is not to choose between human or machine, but to combine the strengths of both - Humans + Machines!
So, how do I use AI in my writing process? I employ AI to handle what I consider low-level creativity tasks. For example, I've studied how teenage jargon works, which is fun but probably not the best use of my time. Instead, I focus on leveraging my decades of experience in future scenario building and codifying my deep heuristics into a GPT.
I have developed several GPTs to assist me with Sophie's World 2.0:
Future Scenario Builder: This GPT leverages my work on adjacent possible and implication mapping to help think about how macro signals of change play out in the future.
Future Jargon Builder: Based on research on how teenagers create new vernacular and how companies name technology, I created a jargon creator.
Story Coach: I built a story coach GPT to analyze chapters, drawing from classic story frameworks (Save the Cat, Hero's Journey, Robert McKee's works). This allows me to draw on my past Story-Expert knowledge through an LLM, providing feedback from an outside perspective and saving me the mental cost of switching between create and edit modes.
In this article, I wanted to share the story coach. Here is the analysis of the latest chapter:
https://thecentaurian.substack.com/p/the-analog-files-the-truth-is-out?r=1fwg6
The Analog Files: Analysis of the Chapter
Summary
This chapter effectively blends character-driven narrative, futuristic technology, and engaging dialogue to build a compelling design fiction. The use of established story structures like the Hero's Journey and Save the Cat beats ensures a well-paced and structured narrative, while the integration of advanced AI concepts adds depth and realism to the futuristic setting. The dynamic between Sophie and Wesley, their resourcefulness, and their curiosity drive the story forward, making it both relatable and intriguing.
Beats
Using the "Save the Cat" beat sheet and the Hero's Journey framework, we can break down this chapter into key beats and stages:
1. Opening Image (Save the Cat): Sophie pacing, trying to figure out the mystery of the "Grand Magician."
2. Theme Stated (Save the Cat): The connection between their Dad’s work and their current mystery is introduced. Sophie and Wesley’s curiosity and investigative nature are highlighted.
3. Call to Adventure (Hero's Journey): Sophie realizes that the "Grand Magician" (GM) might be connected to their father.
4. Refusal of the Call (Hero's Journey): Wesley's initial skepticism and the consideration of their Dad’s past incidents.
5. Meeting the Mentor (Hero's Journey): Sophie’s realization and use of "Alo-Mode" shows their preparedness and reliance on each other as mentors.
6. Crossing the Threshold (Hero's Journey): The decision to investigate their Dad’s office, the "pit."
7. Tests, Allies, Enemies (Hero's Journey): Exploring their Dad’s cluttered office, dealing with their own doubts, and facing the complexity of their Dad’s projects.
8. Approach to the Inmost Cave (Hero's Journey): Discovering the secret door and the digital code pad.
9. Ordeal (Hero's Journey): Solving the puzzle with the cipher, which symbolizes their struggle without their augmented intelligence systems.
10. Reward (Hero's Journey): Opening the door and discovering the old sim pod, which hints at their Dad's deeper involvement in AGI-related projects.
11. Road Back (Hero's Journey): Not fully covered in this chapter, but setting up the next steps in their journey.
12. Resurrection (Hero's Journey): Not applicable in this chapter.
13. Return with the Elixir (Hero's Journey): Not applicable in this chapter.
Characters
- Sophie: Proactive, intelligent, curious. She drives the investigation forward and displays leadership qualities.
- Wesley: Creative, resourceful, supportive. He provides comic relief and technical assistance, balancing Sophie’s seriousness.
- Dad (Grand Magician): A mysterious figure whose work and hobbies intertwine with the children's adventures, driving the central mystery.
Story
- Plot: Sophie and Wesley investigate the disappearance of their AI agents and uncover connections to their father's secretive work. They discover a hidden lab, hinting at more complex technological projects.
- Setting: Near-future (2034), focusing on advanced AI and augmented reality technology, presenting a world where these technologies are integral to daily life.
- Theme: The intersection of family, technology, and the pursuit of knowledge. The story emphasizes curiosity, problem-solving, and the bond between siblings.
Dialogue
- Natural and Engaging: The dialogue flows naturally, reflecting the siblings' personalities and their close relationship.
- Exposition through Conversation: Information about their father’s work, the technologies, and their investigative methods are revealed through their conversations, keeping the reader engaged without heavy-handed exposition.
- Humor and Relatability: Wesley’s humorous interjections (e.g., humming spy tunes) add a lighthearted touch, making the characters more relatable and the narrative more enjoyable.
Integration of Technology and Ideas
- Augmented Intelligence (AI): The story seamlessly integrates advanced AI and augmented reality (AR) as part of the children's investigative tools and daily life.
- Technological Realism: Concepts like "Alo-Mode," AGIx, and air-gapped immersive experiences are presented in a plausible manner, grounding the futuristic elements in real technological advancements.
- Challenges of Unaugmentation: The siblings' struggle with solving puzzles without their augmented systems highlights the reliance on technology and the challenges posed by its absence.