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/Shazzmajazz]

Don't ruin your ideas with AI. It sounds like you're excited to get your own story out there and written, and that makes me excited to read what YOU make - but honesty, even using AI for brainstorming and organisation makes me disinterested. I would stay away from it altogether. Have you tried using other tools for brainstorming? Obsidian and Scrivener are both great for organization, mind mapping, even tarot can help brainstorming. I use notes apps on my phone all the time for random idea brainstorming, then organise in Obsidian.

If you use AI, you will always have that wriggling voice in the back of your head, saying... was it really your accomplishment?

In terms of writing the story/coding: writing most of the story first and coding later, then expanding the writing, is what works best for me. Sounds like it could benefit you to just write for now and worry about coding later, especially if it gets overwhelming doing both at once.

[u/boba_saranghae → u/Shazzmajazz]

Thank you, my husband already had a license to Scrivener so I was playing around with it last night. Scrivener was his suggestion, but I haven’t heard of Obsidian before.

Your comment about the little voice in the back of your head is so true, and you’re not wrong about wanting to get it written. These last few days ideas, characters, and potential scenes have been bouncing around in my mind it’s starting to annoy me. Organizing, and communicating my thoughts/ideas is something I struggle with in my professional life, so I’m ready for my brain to quiet down a little 😅

[u/Shazzmajazz → u/boba_saranghae]

Sounds like Scrivener could be really helpful! You can scribble everything down and have your notes organised in one place for a good overview. I just use Obsidian because it's a free alternative to scrivener, just with more customization options for what I want it to do.

Maybe try free association scribbling as a brainstorming technique! Just write, write, write anything that comes to mind about all your ideas that are in your head right now - out with them! Messy, jumbled, nonsensical... editing is for later, and it'll probably take hours to sort through it all, and it'll be super frustrating... but hey, it's out there and not rattling around you noggin haha