Playing with ChatGPT

I belong to the group of people who prefer referring to the various Large Language Model systems as “plagiarism machines” (you can read my previous rant on this topic here). However, I must admit that they do serve their purpose.

Lately, I have been experimenting with these models to enhance my character descriptions. Although these descriptions won’t directly appear in my writing, they help me generate genre-appropriate details. I start by roughly outlining my characters, providing names and brief descriptions of their appearance and clothing choices. I also try to include a personal trait that reveals an inner aspect of the character, and sometimes establish connections to other characters. Afterwards, I turn to ChatGPT and ask it to expand on the description.

ChatGPT does an impressive job of returning several paragraphs that elaborate on the information I provided. It adds supplementary details to the description and offers insights into what the character’s choices, particularly in clothing, might convey to others or even themselves.

The best part is that since this is a highly connected language model, once I establish the mood and style of the setting, the LLM suggests stylistic details that harmonize with that particular context (assuming the setting is similar to other known settings, of course). For instance, if I mention that the character wears a ballistic leather jacket and magnetic boots, ChatGPT might propose something like the following:

Dressed in dark clothing, Gerald exudes an air of professional readiness. His ballistic-proof leather jacket serves as both a stylish accessory and a practical safeguard, providing protection without compromising his mobility. Magnetic boots, designed to secure him to any surface in zero-gravity environments, demonstrate his preparedness for any situation that may arise.

It is truly enjoyable to witness the additional depth brought forth by this LLM. I am always somewhat amused by how well it aligns with the desired mood for my characters. As I mentioned earlier, none of this text will directly appear in the piece I am currently working on. However, as a means to fully visualize my characters, I find this tool to be quite valuable.