I read Dennis Yi Tenen's "Literary Theory for Robots". It gives examples of previous tools for generating texts algorithmacally. Amoung these is "Plotto" written by William W. Cook, released in 1928. It provides a number of short sentences that can be combined to create the skeleton for a story. Can chatGPT write meaningfully from a prompt derived from Plotto. I will use the following:
Plotto: 681
A, happy and optimistic, undergoes a critical illness which makes of him a morbid, melancholy, superstitious pessimist
I create my prompt by replacing the "A" with the character name:
write a story outline about "Tom , happy and optimistic, undergoes a critical illness which makes of him a morbid, melancholy, superstitious pessimist" in the style of H.P. Lovecraft.
Title: The Shadows Within
I. Introduction
- Set in the quaint town of Arkham, where Tom, a cheerful and optimistic young man, resides.
- Tom is depicted as a beloved figure in the community, known for his infectious laughter and positive outlook on life.
- He frequents the local bookstore, where he indulges in tales of adventure and mystery, his favorite being the works of Edgar Allan Poe.
II. The Onset of Illness
- Tom suddenly falls ill with a mysterious ailment that baffles the town's doctors.
- As his condition worsens, Tom's once bright demeanor begins to fade, replaced by a sense of morbid fascination with death and the unknown.
- He becomes withdrawn, spending his days immersed in dark literature and superstitions.
III. The Transformation
- Tom's illness takes a turn for the worse, leading to hallucinations and vivid nightmares.
- He becomes convinced that he is haunted by malevolent forces, convinced that his illness is a punishment for his past happiness.
- Tom's once optimistic view of the world is replaced by a deep-seated paranoia, as he begins to see sinister patterns in everyday occurrences.
IV. Descent into Madness
- Tom's descent into madness accelerates as he delves deeper into the occult, seeking answers to his affliction.
- He becomes obsessed with ancient tomes and forbidden knowledge, believing that he can unlock the secrets of his illness.
- His behavior becomes increasingly erratic, alienating him from his friends and loved ones.
V. The Revelation
- In his quest for answers, Tom uncovers a dark truth about the town of Arkham and its inhabitants.
- He learns of a sinister cult that lurks in the shadows, worshiping ancient gods and practicing dark rituals.
- Tom realizes that his illness is not a mere coincidence but a result of his unwitting involvement with the cult.
VI. The Final Confrontation
- Armed with newfound knowledge, Tom confronts the cultists, determined to rid himself of their influence.
- In a climactic showdown, Tom battles the forces of darkness, risking his own life to save the town from destruction.
- Though he emerges victorious, Tom is forever changed, haunted by the horrors he has witnessed and the darkness within himself.
VII. Conclusion
- As the dust settles, Tom retreats from the world, a shadow of his former self.
- The once happy and optimistic young man is now a morbid, melancholy figure, forever tormented by the knowledge of what lies beyond the veil of reality.
I would say this is a credible outline. In practice, at least as envisioned in the book, one would weave together multiple plotto elements as needed to create a more complicated structure.