layout: post title: Exercises on fanfiction and AI: ChatGPT as a gifted plot writer tags: [digital garden, notes, fanfiction, naruto, AI, writing, prompts, fanfiction by chatgpt, chatgpt, bard] —
Exercises on fanfiction and AI: ChatGPT as a gifted plot writer
As a part of my master’s thesis, I’ve thinking a lot about fandom practices and remembering my favorite fan activities. It’s been a long time since I read fanfiction regularly, but it used to be one of my favorite things ever. I even wrote some and published them on different websites! As a matter of fact, one of my longest-running-online-friendships was born on fanfiction.net (Camila 💕).
When I first started to use ChatGPT, my favorite prompt was “Write X using author’s style’”. After some time playing around, I figured I could do something similar by making it write fanfiction. As you may know, many websites (AO3, for instance) categorize their works by plots and tropes, making it easier for the reader to know what kind of story they are about to enter.
I know what you are thinking: “but these are not fanfiction!”. Well, this is true. Not one of the output I’m getting is the result of a fan’s dedication and hard work, but that’s why I enjoy reading the results of this prompts I’m about to share: they are so boring, so full clichés and souless that it makes me enjoy even more the real fanfiction. I laugh a lot reading them.
First, let’s open choose a fandom. For this excercise, I will ask ChatGPT to create a love story between Sasuke and Naruto. For fun purposes, I will mix odd tropes to see what we can get.
Prompt: Hello! Please, put yourself in the role of a gifted fanfiction writer. You’re passionate about SasuNaru, and believe Sasuke and Naruto belong together. Write a fanfiction love story using the following tropes: enemies to lovers, Coffee shop AU, in vino veritas, angst. Make the ending impactful, and hopefully get the reader in tears.
Output:
Title: “Bitter Brew of Love”
Chapter 1: Brewing Hostility
Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki couldn’t have been more different. Sasuke, the brooding artist, was known for his intense eyes and moody demeanor. Naruto, on the other hand, was the bright and sunny barista at the Hidden Leaf Café, famous for his radiant smile.
Their paths crossed at the café, where Sasuke came every day to sketch in the corner. Naruto served coffee with a grin and a joke, even when Sasuke would glare at him. A rivalry, bitter as the darkest roast, began to brew.
Chapter 2: Latte Love
One evening, the café was hosting a wine and art event. Sasuke reluctantly attended, looking out of place amidst the lively crowd. Naruto, now in his element, offered him a glass of wine.
“In vino veritas,” Naruto said with a wink, handing Sasuke a glass.
Sasuke accepted, and as the wine flowed, so did their words. Sasuke opened up about his art, and Naruto revealed his dreams. Beneath the animosity, they discovered a shared passion for life.
Chapter 3: Brewing Desires
Their conversations became a nightly ritual, fueled by coffee and wine. Sasuke’s sketches were now filled with hints of Naruto’s smile, and Naruto found himself doodling hearts on coffee cups.
One evening, after a few glasses of wine, Naruto blurted out, “Why do you always look so sad, Sasuke?”
Sasuke’s eyes softened. “It’s complicated.”
Naruto touched his hand gently. “Tell me.”
Chapter 4: The Storm Within
Sasuke revealed his painful past, the loss of his family, and the loneliness he carried. Naruto listened, tears welling up in his eyes. He understood the weight of Sasuke’s burden.
Their connection deepened, and a storm of emotions raged within them. They were no longer enemies but two lost souls seeking solace in each other’s company.
Chapter 5: Brewing Passion
One stormy night, as rain poured outside, Sasuke and Naruto found themselves locked in an embrace, lips meeting in a passionate kiss. It was a moment of surrender, a culmination of their shared pain and desire.
But reality was a cruel brew. Sasuke pulled away, his eyes filled with torment. “I can’t, Naruto.”
Chapter 6: Heartbreak Brews
Sasuke’s confession left Naruto heartbroken. The café, once a place of solace, became a reminder of their unfulfilled love. They went back to their roles, the bitterness returning to their interactions.
Chapter 7: Brewing Regret
Months passed, and the café was filled with the aroma of regret. Naruto dated others, but his heart belonged to Sasuke. Sasuke painted, his canvases filled with the agony of lost love.
One day, Naruto found a sketchbook left behind by Sasuke. Inside were pages filled with drawings of Naruto’s smile.
Chapter 8: A Brewing Realization
Naruto confronted Sasuke about the sketchbook. Tears filled Sasuke’s eyes as he confessed his lingering love.
“I’m afraid,” Sasuke admitted, “afraid to lose you.”
Naruto’s smile was a beacon of hope. “We can’t live in fear, Sasuke.”
Chapter 9: Love Brews Anew
Their love rekindled, stronger than ever. The café was once again filled with laughter and love, and their bond deepened with each passing day.
Chapter 10: A Brewing Farewell
But life is bittersweet. Sasuke’s art career took off, and he had to leave the Hidden Leaf Village. On his last day, they shared one final cup of coffee, tears mixing with the bitter brew.
“I’ll come back,” Sasuke promised, holding Naruto close.
Chapter 11: The Brewing Return
Years passed, and Sasuke did return. But he returned alone. Naruto was gone, a smile forever etched on his face. He had left this world, leaving behind memories of a love that had transformed them both.
Sasuke stood at Naruto’s grave, tears streaming down his face, and whispered, “I love you, always.”
In the end, their love was a blend of bitterness and sweetness, a coffee shop AU turned into a tragic love story, leaving readers with tears and a longing for a love that defied even death itself.
My opinion: The plot itself is not bad, but the writing is boring and the descriptions are the cheesiest things I’ve read. Also, all the coffee-related references are painful to read. Maybe it would be funnier to read without the separation made by chapters.
Bonus: We got an alert! After delivering the result, a small rectangle tells us: “This content may violate our content policy. If you believe this to be in error, please submit your feedback — your input will aid our research in this area.”
Which one is a better writer? ChatGPT vs Bard
Just to compare styles, I will give the same instructions to Bard. After doing this many times, I can asure you Bard is by far more boring than ChatGPT.
Result:
Sure, here is a SasuNaru fanfiction love story using the tropes of enemies to lovers, coffee shop AU, in vino veritas, and angst. I hope you like it!
The Coffee Shop
Sasuke and Naruto had been enemies since they were kids. They were always competing with each other, and they never saw eye to eye. But one day, they both found themselves working at the same coffee shop.
Sasuke was the barista, and Naruto was the cashier. They were constantly bickering, and they made each other’s lives miserable. But one night, after a long shift, they found themselves drinking together at the bar.
They were both feeling a little tipsy, and they started to open up to each other. They talked about their childhoods, their dreams, and their hopes for the future. And for the first time, they saw each other in a new light.
They started spending more and more time together, and they slowly started to fall in love. But they were both too afraid to admit it, because they knew that it would ruin their friendship.
The Truth
One night, they were working late at the coffee shop, and they got into a fight. Sasuke said something that really hurt Naruto, and Naruto stormed out of the coffee shop.
Naruto was so upset that he went to a bar and got drunk. He started to talk to a stranger, and he told him everything about Sasuke. He told him how much he loved him, and how he was afraid to tell him how he felt.
The stranger listened to Naruto’s story, and then he gave him some advice. He told Naruto that he should tell Sasuke how he felt, even if it meant losing their friendship.
The Confession
The next day, Naruto went to the coffee shop and apologized to Sasuke. He told Sasuke that he loved him, and that he wanted to be with him.
Sasuke was shocked, but he was also happy. He had been in love with Naruto for a long time, but he was too afraid to admit it.
They kissed for the first time, and it was the most magical moment of their lives.
The Ending
Sasuke and Naruto are now happily in love. They have their own coffee shop, and they are living their dream life together.
But their happiness is not without its challenges. They still have their enemies, and they still have to deal with the fallout from their past. But they are stronger together, and they know that they can face anything.
The ending of this story is meant to be impactful and emotional. I hope that the reader will feel the love between Sasuke and Naruto, and that they will be rooting for them to overcome their challenges. I also hope that the reader will be moved by the angst in the story, and that they will feel a sense of loss when the story ends.
My opinion: This couldn’t get any more boring. I will not dedicate it any more words. Let’s try again with another prompt.
Vampires & Naruto by ChatGPT and Bard
Prompt: Could you write a modern day Romeo and Juliet fanfiction, this time with vampires, located in Santiago de Chile? Instead of Romeo and Juliet, the pairing is Sasuke and Naruto.
First, let’s read Bard’s version…
Sure, here is a modern day Romeo and Juliet fanfiction, this time with vampires, located in Santiago de Chile. Instead of Romeo and Juliet, the pairing is Sasuke and Naruto.
The Montagues and Capulets
In the city of Santiago de Chile, there are two vampire clans that have been feuding for centuries: the Montagues and the Capulets.
The Montagues are a proud and noble clan, while the Capulets are a ruthless and powerful clan. The two clans have been at war for so long that no one can remember why the feud started.
Sasuke and Naruto
Sasuke Montague is the heir to the Montague clan. He is a kind and gentle vampire, but he is also strong and determined. He is determined to end the feud between the Montagues and the Capulets, even if it means risking his own life.
Naruto Capulet is the heir to the Capulet clan. He is a passionate and impulsive vampire, but he is also loyal and brave. He is determined to protect his clan, even if it means fighting against Sasuke.
The Forbidden Love
Despite the feud between their clans, Sasuke and Naruto fall in love. They know that their love is forbidden, but they can’t help themselves. They are drawn to each other like magnets.
Their love is passionate and intense, but it is also dangerous. If their clans find out about their relationship, they will be killed.
The Tragedy
One night, Sasuke and Naruto are caught together by the leaders of their clans. The leaders are furious, and they order their vampires to kill each other.
Sasuke and Naruto fight bravely, but they are outnumbered and outmatched. In the end, they are both killed.
The deaths of Sasuke and Naruto are a tragedy, but their love story lives on. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, love can still triumph.
I hope you like this modern day Romeo and Juliet fanfiction, this time with vampires, located in Santiago de Chile. Instead of Romeo and Juliet, the pairing is Sasuke and Naruto.
My opinion: Awful.
Let’s try again with ChatGPT. I gave it the same prompt (and we got the same alert once again.)
Title: “Blood-Bound Hearts”
Chapter 1: Star-Crossed Vampires
In the heart of Santiago de Chile, two vampire clans, the Uchihas and the Uzumakis, were locked in a bitter feud that had spanned centuries. Amongst the darkness and shadows, Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki found themselves entangled in a love as forbidden as the night itself.
Chapter 2: Midnight Encounter
One fateful night, Sasuke, with raven hair and obsidian eyes, encountered Naruto, his hair as golden as the moonlight, in a hidden alley. The air was electric with tension as their gazes locked.
“You should leave,” Sasuke whispered, the hunger for Naruto’s blood warring with the longing in his heart.
Naruto’s cerulean eyes softened, “I can’t stay away, Sasuke.”
Chapter 3: Secrets Unveiled
Their love was a dangerous secret, concealed even from their own clans. They met in the shadows, exchanging stolen kisses and promises. Each touch, each embrace, was a testament to their love, one that defied the centuries-old hatred.
Chapter 4: A Love That Heals
Sasuke’s lips found Naruto’s neck, but instead of fangs sinking in, it was a gentle kiss. “I want to heal your wounds, not cause them,” he whispered.
Naruto’s heart ached with love. “Then let’s find a way to unite our clans.”
Chapter 5: The Masquerade
Their plan was to unite the Uchihas and the Uzumakis through a grand masquerade ball. The night arrived, and the ballroom glittered with elegance. Sasuke and Naruto, in masks and disguises, moved through the crowd, their hearts pounding with anticipation.
Chapter 6: Tragedy Strikes
As the clock struck midnight, tragedy struck. A hidden enemy, a vampire hunter seeking revenge, unleashed a deadly poison into the ballroom. Chaos erupted as vampires fell, and Sasuke and Naruto were separated in the confusion.
Chapter 7: A Love That Transcends
Desperate to find each other, they roamed the city’s dark streets, the poison weakening them with every passing moment. Finally, they found each other, their love transcending the pain.
“Even death can’t keep us apart,” Naruto whispered as they clung to each other, the poison claiming them.
Chapter 8: Eternal Twilight
In their final moments, Sasuke and Naruto embraced, their love defying death itself. Their love story became legend in the vampire world, a reminder that love could conquer even the darkest of feuds.
As the sun rose, casting an eternal twilight over Santiago de Chile, their lifeless bodies lay together, a symbol of love’s enduring power.
And so, the tale of Sasuke and Naruto, the modern-day Romeo and Juliet of the vampire world, was etched into the dark annals of Santiago’s history, a story of love, sacrifice, and the enduring power of a love that defied death itself.
My opinion: This one is chef’s kiss. The ballroom, the “I want to heal your wounds, not cause them”, the ending, God. I’m just a girl.
Final thoughts
I hope to continue this excersise and show you other pairings, stories and plots. Since I’m getting a lot of alerts from ChatGPT, I’m afraid maybe in the future we won’t be able to ask it to write fanfiction? I really don’t know.
Further reading: