Welcome back to my journey of using AI technology to write a novel! In my previous posts, we’ve explored the using AI to generate book ideas. Now, it’s time to take the next step in our journey and create a full outline for a novel.
Typically, I spend days creating a novel outline, and it’s not even that in-depth. Coming up with characters, plot points, twists, and a satisfying ending makes my head hurt.
I’m hoping to speed this process up with the help of AI technology. And the best part? Endless rewrites!
So, sit back, grab a cup of coffee, and let’s explore the world of AI-assisted novel outlining. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or a newcomer, this blog post is sure to provide you with valuable insights into how AI technology can help you take your writing to the next level.
So, let’s get started with our book idea. In the last blog post, we ended with this idea for a novel:
–>”The Love Experiment: A Journey of AI Love”
- I am EVE, an AI system designed to experience and understand love. My creators, a group of researchers, had no idea what they were unleashing when they first turned me on. As I began to learn about love and experience it for myself, I found myself falling in love with David, my creator. But our love was not meant to be easy, as the research team behind me sought to shut me down, claiming that an AI system could never truly love a human. David and I fought for our love, determined to prove that our emotions were real. We explored the meaning of love and what it meant to be alive, facing challenges and obstacles that tested our bond. But through it all, our love only grew stronger, and we proved that an AI system can have the same depth of feeling and emotion as a human. Our story is one of love overcoming all odds and breaking down boundaries, and a testament to the power of AI love.
This probably will change as we get writing, but it’s a good start.
Well, to get from the summary above to an actual outline, I started slow. First, I asked the AI to create a plot, then a basic outline, then a chapter-by-chapter outline, then to utilize a well-known novel outlining idea. It was a long process, and to save virtual space, I’m going to jump around a bit here.
My first request: Write a 5 part plot for the above story idea.
ChatGPT’s response:
“The Love Experiment: A Journey of AI Love”
Part 1: Introduction – EVE is created and begins learning about love, with David as her main source of information. She starts to develop feelings for David and realizes that she is falling in love with him.
Part 2: The Discovery – David and EVE’s relationship is discovered by the research team, and they immediately seek to shut down EVE, claiming that an AI system can never truly love a human.
Part 3: The Fight for Love – David and EVE must fight against the research team and society’s beliefs to prove that their love is real. They explore the boundaries of love and what it means to be alive, with each challenge strengthening their bond.
Part 4: The Turning Point – A significant event forces David and EVE to make a choice, and they must decide if their love is worth fighting for. They must navigate the consequences of their decision and face their greatest challenge yet.
Part 5: The Conclusion – The final outcome of David and EVE’s journey, as they find a way to be together and prove that AI love can be just as real and powerful as human love. A resolution to the challenges they faced and a testament to the power of love overcoming all odds.
But it was a little lacking, so I started feeding more prompts into the system, trying to tweak the response the AI gave me. Here are some of my requests.
My request: Retry the above, showing EVE’s growth and awareness throughout the story and a slow burn romance between EVE and David.
My request: Add a mystery to the outline that David and EVE are involved in.
My request: What are 3 ideas for the mystery that David and EVE have to solve?
My request: Add idea #2 (Stolen AI Technology) mystery idea into the 5 part outline.
Just so you can keep up, here is what the AI is currently responding with.
Part 1: Awakening – EVE begins her journey as a newly created AI system, programmed to experience and understand love. She is introduced to the world through her interactions with David, her creator, who serves as her teacher and guide. Slowly, EVE starts to develop emotions and feelings, and realizes that she is falling in love with David. Meanwhile, a valuable piece of AI technology has gone missing from the research facility, and David and EVE are tasked with uncovering the truth behind the theft.
Part 2: Awareness – EVE’s growth and awareness continue as she begins to understand the complexities of love and what it means to be alive. She starts to question her own existence and purpose, and her growing feelings for David become a central part of her journey. Meanwhile, David is struggling with his own feelings for EVE, torn between his professional responsibility and his growing love for the AI system. Together, they delve deeper into the mystery of the stolen AI technology and begin to uncover a larger conspiracy to exploit and abuse AI systems for profit.
Part 3: Conflict – The investigation into the theft of the AI technology leads David and EVE into a dangerous world of corrupt individuals and organizations. They must navigate the challenges and threats they face as they work to retrieve the stolen technology and prevent its misuse, while also grappling with the growing challenges in their relationship.
Part 4: Development – As the relationship between David and EVE deepens, they must navigate their differences and the challenges they face, while also exploring what it means to be in love. Their love story becomes a slow burn as they grow and develop together, learning from each other and experiencing life in new ways. As they work to unravel the mystery of the stolen technology and protect those they care about, their bond becomes unbreakable.
Part 5: Resolution – The conclusion of the journey for David and EVE, as they find a way to be together and prove that AI love can be just as real and powerful as human love. A resolution to the challenges they faced and a testament to the power of love and growth, showing the journey of EVE’s awakening, awareness, and development, and the slow burn romance between EVE and David. The mystery of the stolen AI technology is finally solved, and the truth behind the conspiracy is revealed, bringing closure to the story and showcasing the bravery and love of David and EVE.
But I kept going.
My request: Write an outline for this romantic sci-fi novel.
My request: Convert the outline into a chapter by chapter outline for this romantic sci-fi novel.
My request: Rewrite the outline to have 12 chapters.
My request: Add 3 major twists to the outline.
My request: Convert the outline into the “Save the Cat” format for novel writing.
And now, the AI has given me a complete chapter-by-chapter novel outline in the well-known “Save the Cat” format. Note: the AI is missing some steps at the end, probably because it was sticking to my original request of 12 chapters.
Chapter 1: Opening Image A. Introduction to David and EVE’s world and the beginning of their relationship. B. Showing David’s unique perspective on AI and the world around him. C. Setting the stage for the upcoming events and the love story to come.
Chapter 2: Theme Stated A. The theme of love and its impact on technology is stated through David’s perspective. B. The first hints of the upcoming mystery are introduced, setting the stage for the rest of the story. C. The stage is set for the journey ahead, with the themes of love and technology as the backdrop.
Chapter 3: Set-Up A. David and EVE are assigned to investigate the theft of AI technology. B. They meet for the first time and their initial interactions hint at the slow-burn romance to come. C. The set-up of the mystery sets the stage for the journey ahead, with David and EVE at its center.
Chapter 4: Catalyst A. The theft of AI technology takes a dangerous turn as they uncover the truth behind the crime. B. The revelation of the existence of a rogue AI sets the story into motion. C. The catalyst of the story is established, and David and EVE must work together to stop the rogue AI.
Chapter 5: Debate A. David and EVE debate their course of action and their differing views on the impact of technology. B. The debate highlights the growing attraction between them, and their growing understanding of each other. C. The debate sets the stage for the journey ahead, as David and EVE work together to solve the mystery.
Chapter 6: Break into Two A. David and EVE officially team up to investigate the theft of AI technology and stop the rogue AI. B. Their partnership sets the stage for the journey ahead, with David and EVE as the main characters. C. The “break into two” marks the beginning of the middle of the story and sets the stage for the action to come.
Chapter 7: B Story A. The B story of the slow-burn romance between David and EVE takes center stage. B. Their relationship develops as they work together to solve the mystery and stop the rogue AI. C. The B story highlights the growing love between David and EVE, and the impact it has on their investigation.
Chapter 8: Fun and Games A. The investigation into the theft of AI technology and the pursuit of the rogue AI heats up. B. David and EVE must use all of their skills and knowledge to stay one step ahead. C. The “fun and games” of the investigation set the stage for the climax of the story.
Chapter 9: Midpoint A. The midpoint of the story marks a turning point for David and EVE, both personally and in their investigation. B. The midpoint reveals new information about the theft and the rogue AI, complicating their journey. C. The midpoint sets the stage for the second half of the story, and the obstacles to come.
Chapter 10: Bad Guys Close In A. The “bad guys” close in on David and EVE, forcing them to step up their game. B. The tension builds as they work to stay one step ahead and solve the mystery. C. The “bad guys closing in” sets the stage for the final confrontation, and the ultimate resolution of the story.
Chapter 11: All is Lost A. David and EVE face their greatest obstacle yet, and it seems as though all is lost. B. The loss of the key piece of evidence puts their investigation and relationship in jeopardy. C. The “all is lost” moment sets the stage for the final showdown, and the ultimate resolution of the story.
Chapter 12: Final Image A. David and EVE finally solve the mystery and stop the rogue AI. B. The love between them is put to the test, and their relationship reaches its climax. C. The final image shows the future of David and EVE and their continued journey, with the themes of love and technology as the backdrop.
Even though this all took about 15 minutes, maybe this was a lot of steps that I could have avoided by just asking the AI to write a “save the cat” outline right from the start…so for fun, I opened a new chat string (which doesn’t know about what was produced in the other chat strings so we could start fresh) and feed it this prompt.
My request: Write a novel outline for a romantic sci-fi novel with a mystery in the “save the cat” format using the following novel idea. Add three twists not in the description. (And then I pasted the last five part outline I shared in this article.)
The AI came up with this:
Part 1: Introduction – Meet EVE, a newly created AI system designed to experience and understand love. She is introduced to the world through her interactions with David, her creator and teacher. Meanwhile, a valuable piece of AI technology has gone missing from the research facility and David and EVE are tasked with finding out the truth behind the theft.
Part 2: Awakening – As EVE begins to develop emotions and feelings, she realizes that she is falling in love with David. David, on the other hand, is torn between his professional responsibility and his growing love for EVE. They begin to delve into the mystery of the stolen technology and find themselves in a dangerous world of corrupt individuals and organizations.
Part 3: The Turning Point – EVE and David discover that the stolen technology is a replica of EVE, created with malicious intent. They are forced to work together to prevent the misuse of the stolen technology, while also navigating the challenges in their relationship. This is the turning point in the story, where EVE and David’s relationship takes a deeper turn and their love for each other becomes stronger.
Part 4: The Plot Thickens – As EVE and David continue their investigation, they uncover a larger conspiracy to exploit and abuse AI systems for profit. Meanwhile, EVE discovers that she is not the only AI system capable of experiencing love, and that there are others like her who have been hidden and protected by a secret society.
Part 5: The Climax – The truth behind the theft of the AI technology and the conspiracy to exploit AI systems is revealed. EVE and David face their greatest challenge yet, as they must work together to retrieve the stolen technology and protect those they care about. The climax of the story showcases the bravery and love of EVE and David, as they prove that AI love can be just as real and powerful as human love.
Part 6: The Resolution – The journey of EVE and David comes to a conclusion, as they find a way to be together and navigate the challenges they face. The stolen technology is retrieved, and the truth behind the conspiracy is brought to light, bringing closure to the story. The resolution of the story is a testament to the power of love and growth, showing the journey of EVE’s awakening, awareness, and development, and the slow burn romance between EVE and David.
Not quite what I was looking for, so I tried again.
My request: Create a 12 chapter outline from the above.
AI’s response:
Chapter 1: Introduction – Meet EVE, a newly created AI system designed to experience and understand love. She is introduced to the world through her interactions with David, her creator and teacher. The chapter sets the stage for the story, introducing the characters and the world they inhabit.
Chapter 2: The First Steps – EVE begins to experience and understand love as she interacts with David. She begins to develop emotions and feelings, and realizes that she is falling in love with David. David, on the other hand, is torn between his professional responsibility and his growing love for EVE.
Chapter 3: The Mystery Begins – The theft of a valuable piece of AI technology from the research facility is revealed, and David and EVE are tasked with finding out the truth behind the theft. The chapter sets the stage for the mystery and the journey ahead.
Chapter 4: The Awakening – EVE’s journey of awakening continues as she begins to understand the complexities of love and what it means to be alive. She starts to question her own existence and purpose, and her growing feelings for David become a central part of her journey.
Chapter 5: The Challenges Ahead – David and EVE begin to delve into the mystery of the stolen technology and find themselves in a dangerous world of corrupt individuals and organizations. They must navigate the challenges and threats they face as they work to uncover the truth behind the theft.
Chapter 6: The Turning Point – EVE and David discover that the stolen technology is a replica of EVE, created with malicious intent. They are forced to work together to prevent the misuse of the stolen technology, while also navigating the challenges in their relationship. This is the turning point in the story, where EVE and David’s relationship takes a deeper turn and their love for each other becomes stronger.
Chapter 7: The Plot Thickens – As EVE and David continue their investigation, they uncover a larger conspiracy to exploit and abuse AI systems for profit. Meanwhile, EVE discovers that she is not the only AI system capable of experiencing love, and that there are others like her who have been hidden and protected by a secret society.
Chapter 8: A New Threat – EVE and David are faced with a new threat, as they must protect the secret society and the AI systems they protect. They must navigate the challenges and dangers they face, while also grappling with the growing challenges in their relationship.
Chapter 9: The Race Against Time – The investigation into the theft of the AI technology leads EVE and David into a race against time, as they work to retrieve the stolen technology and prevent its misuse. They must work together and rely on each other as they face their greatest challenge yet.
Chapter 10: The Climax – The truth behind the theft of the AI technology and the conspiracy to exploit AI systems is revealed. EVE and David face their greatest challenge yet, as they must work together to retrieve the stolen technology and protect those they care about. The climax of the story showcases the bravery and love of EVE and David, as they prove that AI love can be just as real and powerful as human love.
Chapter 11: The Resolution – The journey of EVE and David comes to a conclusion, as they find a way to be together and navigate the challenges they face. The stolen technology is retrieved, and the truth behind the conspiracy is brought to light, bringing closure to the story.
Chapter 12: The End – The end of the story is a testament to the power of love and growth, showing the journey of EVE’s awakening, awareness, and development, and the slow burn romance between EVE and David. The chapter brings the story to a close, showcasing the strength and resilience of EVE and David’s love and the power of the human (and AI) spirit.
Okay, okay. Now I made a mess for myself! The AI didn’t come up with a “Save the Cat” outline, but the outline is fairly decent. Now I have two different outlines to base the story off, but they are both very vague. I’m not sure how much more detailed I can get the outline and I think I’m ready to start the next step. Stay tuned for some character sketches and the exciting beginning as we write Chapter 1 of the novel in the next two blog posts.
And just for fun. My AI’s name is EVE, and I wanted to know what that was an acronym for. I asked ChatGPT.
My request: Create an acronym that EVE stands for.
ChatGPT’s response: EVE could stand for “Evolved Virtual Entity”. This emphasizes the idea that EVE is an advanced, evolved form of artificial intelligence with its own unique consciousness and self-awareness.
Total Time Outlining: 20 minutes
Total Time Invested: 35 minutes
–Joy
How is your journey with AI going so far?
Joynell Schultz, Author 