It was really interesting, Evelyn and I enjoyed the shift in narrative. I didn't join this time because I felt the prompt was far too prescriptive for me to work with. I just couldn't come up with anything 😄 You did a great job!
Thanks! It also reminded me about the Orphics again, which I wanted to write a lot about when I was doing my philosophy postgrad stuff - do you think another offbeat fairytale sunday thing about it would work? I'll have to think about that one.
I know what you mean about some prompts being too prescriptive. I liked this one because dystopian adventures are one of my favourite genres so I sort of already had a raft of story scenarios swishing around my long-suffering head anyway.
Besides, after your Gibberish heroics you deserve a rest!
You know what, perhaps it was the Gibberish prompts that gave me a bit of being "all prompted out" it'll be great seeing what others have produced though. Yes, I think another fairytale Sunday is in order.
I did not see the turn/twist/reveal coming, but looking back you did a good job foreshadowing it. Orpheus and Eurydice seems to be especially popular in the substack community. I've read 3 or 4 versions on here that translate it into a sci fi or modern setting. Not a complaint at all - and in this case it makes a good complement to the original prompt.
And thank you for reminding me of Sir Orfeo! I haven't read it in years. Time for a brush up I think.
Thanks! I wasn't aware of any versions translating it into the SF or modern setting (post some links if you have them). I can definitely see how it works though. One reason why I like SF, as you can re-work a whole load of classic ideas and make something new and insightful with them...
Just letting you know I just read your prompt quest story and I really, really liked it. It's also good that it's totally different from mine! I think you captured the AI's voice really authentically. It's the kind of childlike logic about them. And the insistence. I've noticed that with ChatGPT a few times actually - hmm, which is perhaps a warning we should take seriously...
Thank you. I like to look for the things different writers had in common or did differently. I’ve read one or two others on the same prompt. I think yours stands out in two ways (I say that as a compliment). Firstly by looking at AI as a transitional ‘Entity’ in a reincarnation cycle. To use your post-story analogy, I think Scott’s DAD and many others will take on the more direct template of Charon/Death – an ending rather than a renewal. Secondly, and closely related, I think your ‘Entity’ is the first I’ve read where the AI wasn’t villainous and/or opposed to the human’s wants.
And regarding other adaptions of the Orpheus myth… you had to ask. I love the Greek myths, so I’ll read any of them in any form. I remembered one right away by Iris shaw. I feel as if I’ve seen at least one more on this site, but maybe it was Pygmalion, or Jason. They do adapt well to SF, and most times/settings. Guess that's why we still tell them...
Just had a read of Iris' take on it - I like that. Especially the repetitive nature of it. That's very classical of course (like Sisyphus, for example).
The first version of the ending of the story I was going to do was similar in that the AI isn't villainous at all, but explains some great truth to the human who then chooses not to go back. That's sort of where the title 'never seen stars' comes from, which I kept.
There's definitely a lot of great story ideas in that prompt though, for sure.
Another thought - about it being interesting that most of the other stories have villainous AIs - obviously this kind of reflects humans' wariness about AI - but here's the intriguing thing - I just got ChatGPT to write a story based on the prompt and the AI in the story it came up with is also not villainous, but actually wants to help humans. It's quite revealing. And I did think whatever ChatGPT came up with would likely reflect its own opinion of itself, and humans too for that matter.
Which is, yeah, a little bit creepy. Anyway, I'm not sure whether I should publish it here. People might get ideas about using AIs to write stories. Obviously I would mention that it was completely an experiment on my part to see what it came up with, but still. I don't know - what do you think?
Obviously it's all your decision what gets published on In A Different Place. From my perspective: if you do some kind of experiment analysis it would be worth a read. For example: as a reader in the wild, I might not read "What AI wrote when I asked for a sci fi story", but I might for something like "Comparing/Contrasting an AI sci fi story with My Own story".
Yeah - that's what I would intend it to do - clearly done as an experiment. I might mention it at the gathering when I post my story and see what people think. I'd never pass off an AI thing as an actual story though, let alone one of my own! Fortunately the story the ChatGPT came up with, whilst having all the elements of a story, is not as good as either mine or yours. So we're not done for yet.
I had a little chat with it after it presented the story, which I'd include as well, as it did uncannily occur to me that both the AI in the story and the human were somehow expressions of ChatGPT itself. Whether it's been programmed like that or it just sort of logically became that, is a serious question. I often get quite a sinister feeling when I talk to it about certain non-trivial stuff.
Cinematic and enthralling! I loved this take on the prompt (in actuality, I feel like you should get bonus credit for successfully addressing not one prompt but two at the same time!). It's funny because my story for this Prompt Quest was inspired by the myth of Echo and Narcissus - although it's not a direct take on that story by any means. So yay for classical myths! And, can I also say, as a JV art historian, I, too, am in love with the Pre-Raphs! Amazing work.
I love the echo and narcissus story... I sort of got there whilst I was reading yours, but I kept consciously putting stuff to one side so I could read it as it was. Like I thought the light was a sun and they were below and the big reveal was it was a sun (very THX 1138 that one), but guessing/knowing that didn't prepare me for the wishing well thing. It really was marvellous!
I'm not sure I addressed both in this story, although I did think about the 'technocratic dystopia' being underground, so maybe - ok, I will accept your wonderful accolade about combining both prompts into one. Yep. Of course I will. Gladly accepted. I am a total genius.
Winky eye. Happy eye.
In Katrina's original movie, 'the Penitent' they are living in underground cities beneath the surface of Venus (hence the reference in this story). Katrina's character, who is a 'disaffected', is shown the surface as part of her rehabilitation (hence, in this story, the 'what's outside those windows'). I could've taken this story in so many different directions but I think in the end it was the word limit that sent me down a particular route. Mind you, I did have some work to do as well so I was mindful of time.
I think I will have to write the long version some time though...
An excellent tale, Evelyn! You managed to get both science fiction and fantasy in there. 😁 Everyone is coming up with such original stories. At first I wasn't sure I would enjoy the changing perspectives, but it really worked. Great job!
Really Really enjoyed this. So clever! and i had no idea where it was going until right at the end. very good job with the cut scene style short passages back and forth...great dialogue... its hard to make it believable sometimes ... to make it ring true when you are set in an imaginary world (and quite an extra bizarre one at that!) loved the 451 books line. i was thinking my award ( if it was mine to give) would be going to the confectioners taffy but now i cant decide so easily. thanks again!
Thanks! That's a nice compliment about not being able to decide so easily. Yes, I also thought the confectioner one was quite good. Bizarre for sure - which is a good thing.
The 451 line just sort of popped in there and I just had to have it. I love making oblique references...
This was a fascinating story! I especially loved the way you encapsulated the modernist vibe of the early 60s while still keeping the story very much in a futuristic setting.
I also learned a lot about Orpheus and Eurydike from reading your comments at the end, and I LOVE the Pre-Raphaelite artwork you chose.
Yes - I've rekindled my love of Pre-Raphaelites. I just find the artwork not just beautiful but immediately striking in a kind of deep and emotional way. I've previously spent far too long looking for images to accompany posts, but I recently got into the habit of finding classical artwork, especially as they're all public domain!
It was really interesting, Evelyn and I enjoyed the shift in narrative. I didn't join this time because I felt the prompt was far too prescriptive for me to work with. I just couldn't come up with anything 😄 You did a great job!
Thanks! It also reminded me about the Orphics again, which I wanted to write a lot about when I was doing my philosophy postgrad stuff - do you think another offbeat fairytale sunday thing about it would work? I'll have to think about that one.
I know what you mean about some prompts being too prescriptive. I liked this one because dystopian adventures are one of my favourite genres so I sort of already had a raft of story scenarios swishing around my long-suffering head anyway.
Besides, after your Gibberish heroics you deserve a rest!
You know what, perhaps it was the Gibberish prompts that gave me a bit of being "all prompted out" it'll be great seeing what others have produced though. Yes, I think another fairytale Sunday is in order.
I did not see the turn/twist/reveal coming, but looking back you did a good job foreshadowing it. Orpheus and Eurydice seems to be especially popular in the substack community. I've read 3 or 4 versions on here that translate it into a sci fi or modern setting. Not a complaint at all - and in this case it makes a good complement to the original prompt.
And thank you for reminding me of Sir Orfeo! I haven't read it in years. Time for a brush up I think.
Thanks! I wasn't aware of any versions translating it into the SF or modern setting (post some links if you have them). I can definitely see how it works though. One reason why I like SF, as you can re-work a whole load of classic ideas and make something new and insightful with them...
Just letting you know I just read your prompt quest story and I really, really liked it. It's also good that it's totally different from mine! I think you captured the AI's voice really authentically. It's the kind of childlike logic about them. And the insistence. I've noticed that with ChatGPT a few times actually - hmm, which is perhaps a warning we should take seriously...
Thank you. I like to look for the things different writers had in common or did differently. I’ve read one or two others on the same prompt. I think yours stands out in two ways (I say that as a compliment). Firstly by looking at AI as a transitional ‘Entity’ in a reincarnation cycle. To use your post-story analogy, I think Scott’s DAD and many others will take on the more direct template of Charon/Death – an ending rather than a renewal. Secondly, and closely related, I think your ‘Entity’ is the first I’ve read where the AI wasn’t villainous and/or opposed to the human’s wants.
And regarding other adaptions of the Orpheus myth… you had to ask. I love the Greek myths, so I’ll read any of them in any form. I remembered one right away by Iris shaw. I feel as if I’ve seen at least one more on this site, but maybe it was Pygmalion, or Jason. They do adapt well to SF, and most times/settings. Guess that's why we still tell them...
https://irisshaw.substack.com/p/permutations-on-a-theme-or-orpheus
Just had a read of Iris' take on it - I like that. Especially the repetitive nature of it. That's very classical of course (like Sisyphus, for example).
The first version of the ending of the story I was going to do was similar in that the AI isn't villainous at all, but explains some great truth to the human who then chooses not to go back. That's sort of where the title 'never seen stars' comes from, which I kept.
There's definitely a lot of great story ideas in that prompt though, for sure.
Another thought - about it being interesting that most of the other stories have villainous AIs - obviously this kind of reflects humans' wariness about AI - but here's the intriguing thing - I just got ChatGPT to write a story based on the prompt and the AI in the story it came up with is also not villainous, but actually wants to help humans. It's quite revealing. And I did think whatever ChatGPT came up with would likely reflect its own opinion of itself, and humans too for that matter.
Which is, yeah, a little bit creepy. Anyway, I'm not sure whether I should publish it here. People might get ideas about using AIs to write stories. Obviously I would mention that it was completely an experiment on my part to see what it came up with, but still. I don't know - what do you think?
Obviously it's all your decision what gets published on In A Different Place. From my perspective: if you do some kind of experiment analysis it would be worth a read. For example: as a reader in the wild, I might not read "What AI wrote when I asked for a sci fi story", but I might for something like "Comparing/Contrasting an AI sci fi story with My Own story".
Yeah - that's what I would intend it to do - clearly done as an experiment. I might mention it at the gathering when I post my story and see what people think. I'd never pass off an AI thing as an actual story though, let alone one of my own! Fortunately the story the ChatGPT came up with, whilst having all the elements of a story, is not as good as either mine or yours. So we're not done for yet.
I had a little chat with it after it presented the story, which I'd include as well, as it did uncannily occur to me that both the AI in the story and the human were somehow expressions of ChatGPT itself. Whether it's been programmed like that or it just sort of logically became that, is a serious question. I often get quite a sinister feeling when I talk to it about certain non-trivial stuff.
A very clever twist there that made this story quite different from the others! Nicely done!
Cinematic and enthralling! I loved this take on the prompt (in actuality, I feel like you should get bonus credit for successfully addressing not one prompt but two at the same time!). It's funny because my story for this Prompt Quest was inspired by the myth of Echo and Narcissus - although it's not a direct take on that story by any means. So yay for classical myths! And, can I also say, as a JV art historian, I, too, am in love with the Pre-Raphs! Amazing work.
I love the echo and narcissus story... I sort of got there whilst I was reading yours, but I kept consciously putting stuff to one side so I could read it as it was. Like I thought the light was a sun and they were below and the big reveal was it was a sun (very THX 1138 that one), but guessing/knowing that didn't prepare me for the wishing well thing. It really was marvellous!
I'm not sure I addressed both in this story, although I did think about the 'technocratic dystopia' being underground, so maybe - ok, I will accept your wonderful accolade about combining both prompts into one. Yep. Of course I will. Gladly accepted. I am a total genius.
Winky eye. Happy eye.
In Katrina's original movie, 'the Penitent' they are living in underground cities beneath the surface of Venus (hence the reference in this story). Katrina's character, who is a 'disaffected', is shown the surface as part of her rehabilitation (hence, in this story, the 'what's outside those windows'). I could've taken this story in so many different directions but I think in the end it was the word limit that sent me down a particular route. Mind you, I did have some work to do as well so I was mindful of time.
I think I will have to write the long version some time though...
An excellent tale, Evelyn! You managed to get both science fiction and fantasy in there. 😁 Everyone is coming up with such original stories. At first I wasn't sure I would enjoy the changing perspectives, but it really worked. Great job!
Hi evelyn
Really Really enjoyed this. So clever! and i had no idea where it was going until right at the end. very good job with the cut scene style short passages back and forth...great dialogue... its hard to make it believable sometimes ... to make it ring true when you are set in an imaginary world (and quite an extra bizarre one at that!) loved the 451 books line. i was thinking my award ( if it was mine to give) would be going to the confectioners taffy but now i cant decide so easily. thanks again!
Thanks! That's a nice compliment about not being able to decide so easily. Yes, I also thought the confectioner one was quite good. Bizarre for sure - which is a good thing.
The 451 line just sort of popped in there and I just had to have it. I love making oblique references...
This was a fascinating story! I especially loved the way you encapsulated the modernist vibe of the early 60s while still keeping the story very much in a futuristic setting.
I also learned a lot about Orpheus and Eurydike from reading your comments at the end, and I LOVE the Pre-Raphaelite artwork you chose.
Thanks - I'm really pleased you enjoyed it!
Yes - I've rekindled my love of Pre-Raphaelites. I just find the artwork not just beautiful but immediately striking in a kind of deep and emotional way. I've previously spent far too long looking for images to accompany posts, but I recently got into the habit of finding classical artwork, especially as they're all public domain!
I need to try that sometime! I’ve spent way too much time on Unsplash looking for the perfect photo.
ditto for unsplash. I end up falling for the sunk cost fallacy every time...