ChatGPT as a Writing Coach
Sep 04, 2023 by Harold Emanuel
I have been using Chat GPT for two months. I find the application helps me improve my writing. Let me give you an example. My current project’s setting is New York’s Lower East Side during the latter part of the nineteenth century. Two of my characters, Lazar and Mikhail are heading to the Fulton Fish Market. I wrote the following text:The next day Lazar and Mikhail went to the fish market where Fulton Street meets the East River. Two blocks before they reached the market, they smelled the odor of what Lazar would learn was fresh fish, brine, and scales.
Not a very exciting description, wouldn’t you agree? So, I entered the following prompt into ChatGPT.
Rewrite the section below describing the sights, sounds, and smells Lazar and Mikhail encountered as they approached New York's Fulton Fish Market in 1883.---The next day Lazar and Mikhail went to the fish market where Fulton Street meets the East River. Two blocks before they reached the market, they smelled the odor of what Lazar would learn was fresh fish, brine, and scales.
Within seconds ChatGPT returned a detailed description. I won’t list it here, but you can try it if you’d like. You’ll probably get a response similar to the one I received. Using Chat GPT’s response, I rewrote this section as follows:
The next day Lazar and Mikhail went to the fish market where Fulton Street meets the East River. As they approached the market, a distinctive aroma permeated the air, a medley of fresh fish, brine, and scales.
Their eyes were drawn to the commotion ahead as boats docked along the East River, unloading their cargo. Wooden crates and barrels lined the cobblestone streets, teeming with an abundance of seafood. The sun glinted off the silvery scales of fish piled high.
The air was alive with the clamor of men unloading vessels, the banter of fishmongers haggling with customers, and the rhythmic splash of water as workers cleaned the freshly caught bounty. Overhead, seagulls called out, adding their own melody to the vibrant chorus.
Men and women, with sleeves rolled up and aprons stained with fish gut, moved with purpose and skill. They rolled barrels, stacked crates, and weighed fish with precision. People crammed the narrow streets, vendors loudly advertising their offerings, and customers eager to select the freshest catches. A fishmonger wielded a sharp knife, filleting fish with remarkable speed, while others carried baskets filled with ice to preserve the day's catch.
A lot better, don’t you think? I could have paid a writing coach to help me improve my narrative. Instead, I got it for free and it only took a few seconds.
I’d love to hear from you about your use of ChapGPT. Please let others who are interested in ChatGPT know about my website and blog. If they complete the ‘Contact Me’ window, I’ll let them know every time I post a ChatGPT helpful hint.
In my next blog post I’ll tell you about an experience I had that didn’t work out the way I wanted it to.
