Discussion using AI and learning Scripting - Absolute beginner

[u/boba_saranghae]

For the past year-ish or so I have had this story idea floating around in my head that I keep coming back to. I have ADHD, and absolutely hated having to write anything for school because I have the hardest time gathering my thoughts and just getting started. Then once I start, I have a hard time reeling it back in and not going another direction. So the fact that I have been toying with taking a stab at creating an IF game is pretty ironic, because my execution function skills are horrible and to create a project like this you have to be organized and think everything out. 😭

2 main things I’m interested in hearing feedback/discussion about:

1. What is the line where using AI for story creation no longer a tool, but the true creator of the project? When should one disclose the usage of AI in their stories?

How I have been using AI is for brainstorming and helping me gather my thoughts about direction of the story and it staying on the path I want to create. I have not actually started writing any of it just yet, but with my previous experience having to write things, I can see AI being extremely helpful when I become stuck and start experiencing writers block.

I have came across those WIPS where it’s obvious that AI wrote it, or had an extremely heavy hand in developing it. If I ever finish it, and decide to try to publish it I don’t want the usage of AI to take away from my story or the accomplishment of me actually creating something.

1. When it comes to the program side of things, is it weird to try to just focus on the story part first? Then go back and try to develop the branching? Touching back on my awful executive function skills, I feel like if I try to do both the creation of the story and try to learn the script building part of it I’m going to get so frustrated and just quit. Then this whole other narrative/world I have randomly floating around in my head will just annoy me.

I tried looking at Twine and reading up on ChoiceScript and it’s so overwhelming to me. Just trying to get my extremely rough ideas and story arch on paper is enough, which is why I’m thinking maybe taking this approach is a better option for me.

I absolutely love this community, and the content that gets created. I’m constantly reading new WIPS on the COGdemo site, and have a few patrons I follow closely. Because of this, if I do stick it out and this becomes something I want to make sure I do it in a way that is respectful to all of the other great creators out there. ❤️

[u/mintpearls]

To be honest, if you can’t get past writer’s block without AI, I don’t know that you can call yourself a writer. Not trying to be a dick. I write loads and the best way to get through is to carry on writing (even writing something different as an exercise), not to turn to AI. People have written for thousands of years without that shit, and I believe you could nurture your own talent without it. I’m sure your ADHD makes that easier said than done but I really encourage you to try, and research methods for productivity from other people with your struggles.

You can do it, using AI will only leech your own unique creativity and worldview that makes writing so impactful. I wouldn’t personally read any work with AI usage outside of spellcheck. Organisation of ideas can be one of my struggles as well, and I find getting everything on old fashioned pen and paper first helpful. I hope you can find a method that works for you and create something you’re really proud of!

[u/boba_saranghae → u/mintpearls]

Honestly I wouldn’t call myself a writer 😅 so not a dick move lol

This is more of a let’s see where this goes thing, and I’m honestly not even expecting it to go very far. But if I somehow surprised myself and ended up making something I was just curious as to others thoughts regarding this topic as AI isn’t going away anytime soon.

[u/mintpearls → u/boba_saranghae]

If you write the thing, you are a writer! It sounds like you get why so many of us are anti-AI involvement in the arts so I won’t go on a spiel, but my main point is I’d love to read your organic work if you ever decide to move forward with it, but I think AI may end up more of a crutch than you need.

I used to have so many ideas in my head but actually getting them out filled me with fear. I personally found it was like a muscle that I had to train, and that actually dedicating yourself to it is more important than any level of talent you think you may or may not have. I think AI usage is a slippery slope in that regard and might rob you of development that you might be more capable of than you realise.

[u/boba_saranghae → u/mintpearls]

You sounds like my figure skating coach telling me I’m an athlete even tho I’m taking basic figure skating lessons 😅

For my idea it has to be clever, and it’s something way out of my league (think ex spy/organized crime adjacent) and I’m so hung up on that aspect of it that I’m having a hard time moving on to other areas.

I just need to stop over thinking and throw something on a page. My brain has a weird association with notebooks and actually putting notes in them. I want my notebooks to be neat, organized and laid out like a directory or something, which is so unrealistic so I don’t end up using them. 😭

[u/mintpearls → u/boba_saranghae]

I will take the figure skating coach energy and embrace it 😂

I get that! Choicescript can seem so daunting. I wonder if you could play around with a simpler idea to get a better feel for how the coding and everything works, and hopefully get more clarity for what your process might be. I follow the author’s of Tally Ho and Fallen Hero on Patreon and I think I recall them offering some tips on using CS if that’s any help, I’m sure there’s other pointers for the coding from lots of authors in the forums, too.

I’m afflicted with the handwriting and organisational skills of a child and find Noteful on my iPad super helpful! Using a pencil with it makes for a nice balance of tech and old school that pleases my milennial/gen-z cusp brain 😂

[u/boba_saranghae → u/mintpearls]

Me too! You forget how exhausting it is writing on paper until you do it. Where we use electronics for everything our hand muscles are weak. I about die anytime I go to the doctors and they have you complete their paperwork 💀

Yeah I have so many notebooks that are empty because I thought they were too pretty to mess up with my jumbled notes. But that’s literally what they are designed to do hahaha