Creating a 30k word Novella in 90 minutes with Novel Crafter using GPT 4.o

My math was wrong at the end, clearly, it cost more than I said it did, instead of 50 cents it was a few dollars, which I only realized after the video had been completed, still not terrible though
In this video I walk you through this simple and easy process with every step shown so that you can go from having no idea to a finished first draft ready for edits.
This is a cute contemporary romance.
It's not perfect at the end, but it is workable and has good bones. One issue is that the AI starts and ends each chapter with the start and end of the day which is easily fixed in edits.
My goal with this video was to have this be a 1 hour challenge, but it didn't quite work out that way. Still, 90 minutes isn't bad for a workable first draft for a novella.
I'll do another challenge soon too where we do a full 60k novel in under 3 hours.

[@blinkofaneye4451]

Actual editing of this would be an interesting watch.

[@WritingWithAIMadeEasy]

Editing is pretty tedious, but I can absolutely do a video on editing in NC using the AI to help with this story.

[@luxurycardstore]

This is just FABULOUS. I have been looking for a video just like this. I could never ask someone to make this video, but here we are. I have subscribed and will be binge watching your videos 😂. Thank you for sharing.

[@WritingWithAIMadeEasy]

If you have any other genres that you'd like to see done like this please let me know. I do these all the time for myself when I don't know what to write and I don't have clear goal in mind and I'm just playing around and want to create something fun and quick. I'm glad you found it helpful.

[@Dajjer]

This was a really, really, really good video. It's helped me a lot. I too am not much of a beat person; I see its value but it's easier for me to write the rough draft and get AI to help me with the rest. My way to work is fix what I did, not me edit what you (ai) did. Thanks a lot, you helped me resurrect a story idea I stalled on. Now I got an outline, a complete main character and a ton of interesting locations. Thanks again.

[@WritingWithAIMadeEasy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@valerievaddhanayana9762]

I enjoyed your teaching. I am still new to this AI. I will try to learn more. Thank you so much.

[@WritingWithAIMadeEasy]

You're very welcome!

[@JuliaDerekBooks]

Excellent video. Keep up the good work:)

[@WritingWithAIMadeEasy]

Thank you very much!

[@ikaysilas]

This is beautiful

[@WritingWithAIMadeEasy]

thank you!

[@BabylonBaller]

Writing about a Writer who's writing about a writer lol Reminds me of the effect when you look into the mirror at the barber shop. Its like a blackhole tunnel of mirrors... Hmmm, maybe theres a story there ;)

[@WritingWithAIMadeEasy]

I know some authors like writing about writers and for me it's not something that has ever resonated with me. I think because the process is often glamorized when it's really not that glamorous or easy. And wanting to show being an author in a realistic way would mean showing the hours of editing where I don't remember to eat or the barely sleeping some nights because the story won't be quiet. That wouldn't be fun to write or to read so I choose not to write about authors.

[@canneso]

This was a fantastic video and such a great concept! 🥰 It was also really nice to see some 1st person POV stuff as well! 🤩 How are you finding cgpt4o compared to Haiku? ❤ PS - you have 1k subs!!! (Idk if that's happened to you before but congratulations!!! 🎉💐🥳💗) xxx

[@WritingWithAIMadeEasy]

Hey! I like GPT 4.o, it's what I'm primarily using on a novel I'm not showing on this channel (very very dark) and it's going well, however it's a bit more expensive as you can see. Still, it's generally worth it. However, when I tell it to expand in NC it will throw up content issues and refuse to expand certain parts sometimes. Haiku doesn't care about expanding anything so there is that big difference. And it's my first time hitting 1k so that's very exciting.

[@VladthePainter]

Firstly - this video is a tremendous follow up from your lengthy and so well done NC video tuts! Question: Do you think using an outline, or rather using Beats are necessary at all? It appears (like Sudowrite), it's really about pulling teeth (if you have your own story) and you want to add or change some elements. I have one chapter that is between two characters, that for some reason, NovelCrafter has decided to break that up into several chapters under Act 1. The scene is extensive, yes, sort of, but not necessary to extend it beyond two chapters as it writes when it creates an outline based on my notes. Your advice has proved helpful, so... have you proceeded ever without using Beats or an Outline, and just provide NovelCrafter with summaries instead for each chapter? I think I may proceed with that --

[@WritingWithAIMadeEasy]

I don't use beats anymore, but I use the outline as a guide for myself for where I want the story to go and the ideas I have for the chapter. You can make it do one chapter instead of two, or whatever you prefer. I've had stories where they were mostly written and I plugged in the elements into the codex and the outline and the chapters and then filled in between there. I use the chat feature a lot, as you saw here, where I say in the last chapter xyz happened and in the next chapter abc happens, so what should happen in between those two? Please give me a few ideas. And then it does.

[@TWSmith-jp1kz]

Thanks again for your videos. I watched this one and your original long (9-part?) video for writing a novel with Claude, I believe. Anyway, I was wondering if you write anything other than sweet romance and, if so, do you have a video/section regarding steamy scenes?

[@WritingWithAIMadeEasy]

I primarily don't write sweet actually. I have a whole NSFW patreon, which is free, it's just a place to house NSFW content because YT had a fit when I tried it. www.patreon.com/WritingWithAIMadeEasyNSFW

[@TWSmith-jp1kz]

@@WritingWithAIMadeEasy I write contemporary MM with very steamy sex scenes. From what I've heard, GPT won't even do MM sweet. So, I'm guessing my main options with Novel Crafter are Claude and Mistral, maybe with a prompt for at least 2 -3 chapters to have steamy sex scenes???

[@WritingWithAIMadeEasy]

@@TWSmith-jp1kz I do MM too and GPT will absolutely do sweet MM. It will even do some steam. What I do is mostly Haiku in Novel Crafter then I use Novel Ai because I do a lot of kink too and then I expand those scenes with Haiku in Novel Crafter. I use Haiku because it's so cheap.

[@TWSmith-jp1kz]

@@WritingWithAIMadeEasy Do you use Haiku from the beginning and set up x number of steamy chapters in the outline? Or do you set it all up with your preferred GPT 4 and then switch to Haiku in those specific chapters. Can you do that? LOL. Excuse my naivete, but I just started a NC account today and I am attempting a Fall/Halloween novella.

[@WritingWithAIMadeEasy]

​@@TWSmith-jp1kz So here's an example of a very basic Haiku outline. And I'm including my prompt too. It's included mention of "passionate encounters" but I add them where I see fit. Maybe their first "passionate encounter" is actually in the alley when they first meet for example. It did not want to go dark and taboo and gay, but it did do dark and gay. I've had Sonnet 3.5 go very dark and taboo and gay though for an outline. This would absolutely need fleshed out. There's lots of vague here. But I'm sharing to show prompting but also that Haiku will do dark and gay and tell you where some steamy stuff should go according to it, without directly asking for the steamy stuff. My prompt: Hey, could I get an outline for a dark gay romance with an HEA and it should be 10 chapters and the outline should be detailed. Thank you. Haiku in Open Router's response: Here's a detailed outline for a dark gay romance with a happily-ever-after (HEA) ending, spanning 10 chapters: Chapter 1: The Chance Encounter - Introduce the two main characters, Alex and Ethan, as they cross paths unexpectedly in a dimly lit alleyway. - Establish the initial tension and uncertainty between the two men. - Hint at the dark, troubled pasts that each character carries. Chapter 2: Unwanted Attraction - Alex and Ethan find themselves unable to shake the encounter, both intrigued and unsettled by the other. - Explore the internal struggles as they grapple with their growing attraction despite the dark undercurrents. - Introduce the supporting characters who add to the complexity of the situation. Chapter 3: Dangerous Curiosity - Alex and Ethan tentatively start to open up to each other, sharing snippets of their pasts. - Reveal the dangerous, high-stakes world they each inhabit, filled with violence, manipulation, and secrets. - The attraction between them deepens, despite their better judgment. Chapter 4: Forbidden Intimacy - Alex and Ethan give in to their desire, engaging in a passionate, intimate encounter. - Explore the emotional and psychological turmoil that follows, as they confront the risks of their growing relationship. - Introduce the looming threat that could tear them apart. Chapter 5: Unraveling Truths - Alex and Ethan delve deeper into each other's pasts, uncovering shocking revelations and hidden agendas. - The web of lies and deception they are entangled in begins to unravel. - Their trust in each other is tested as they navigate the treacherous waters of their situation. Chapter 6: Deadly Consequences - The dangerous world they inhabit catches up to them, leading to a violent confrontation that puts their lives at risk. - Ethan and Alex are forced to make difficult choices that jeopardize their relationship and their safety. - The stakes are raised as they fight to protect each other and their newfound connection. Chapter 7: A Glimmer of Hope - Amidst the chaos, Ethan and Alex find solace in each other, clinging to the rare moments of tenderness and intimacy. - They devise a plan to escape their perilous circumstances and start a new life together. - The journey to freedom is fraught with obstacles and setbacks, testing the depth of their commitment to one another. Chapter 8: The Final Showdown - Ethan and Alex face off against their most formidable foes, putting everything on the line in a climactic confrontation. - Alliances are tested, secrets are revealed, and loyalties are challenged. - The outcome of this showdown will determine the fate of their relationship and their future. Chapter 9: Tying Up Loose Ends - Ethan and Alex manage to escape their dangerous lives, finding a safe haven where they can begin to heal and build a new future together. - They confront the lingering consequences of their past actions and make difficult decisions to sever ties with their former lives. - The chapter explores their emotional journey as they navigate the aftermath and strive to find a way to move forward. Chapter 10: Happily Ever After - Ethan and Alex settle into their new life, finding solace and joy in their hard-won relationship. - They reflect on the challenges they've overcome and the strength they've found in each other. - The chapter offers a glimpse into their future, hinting at the possibility of a fresh start and a fulfilling, lasting love.

[@judyr1910]

Why do you write the chapters in the chat instead of the 'beat' function in Write? Is it because AI produces more words in chat? I know the prompts are set for a limited amount of words within a scene and these chapters have only one scene-so I see there might be a problem. But it appeared AI was not utilizing the beat content for the chapter when in chat. It seemed to be making it up as it went along. Example chapter 4 - it gave the scene a new title, and it didn't produce prose based on the beat in the outline. I think if you write in chat--and I didn't notice if you did this--you need to reference the chapter and scene in the context box of the chat. That should give the AI more plot direction. An ambitious project for sure. Thanks for sharing the process :)

[@WritingWithAIMadeEasy]

I personally don't like the beat function much because I rarely write in scene beats. I use the chapter info as a guideline of where I'd like to see the chapter go, but I've found that if I write beats it sometimes doesn't blend as easily, so I like using the chat feature more and it keeps everything in one thread that way. If I need to get it back on course I can delete the thread and start a new one.

[@ladydiamond789]

I thought I was the only one to write chapters in NC Chat…. It’s my preferred way! Thank you for this video 😍

[@luxurycardstore]

Thanks!

[@WritingWithAIMadeEasy]

Thank you so much! You're amazing!

[@unm00red]

I think you could use Extract to create your characters and locations in the Codex more quickly. I just learned this trick.

[@WritingWithAIMadeEasy]

Will have to give it a try. Thank you! That's the slowest part of the whole process for me besides the editing so speeding it up would be nice.

[@VladthePainter]

Okay... and I think I am really missing something here too. So, I just finally tried to use WRITE, and followed everything up to here (except I did not fill in every chapter as you have - mainly because I think I don't like how NC progressed it - so I am seeing if I can go one chapter at a time -- But when I started to write, hit Generate Prose - it starts writing a story from something out of nowhere that has nothing at all to do with my story. Different everything, from characters to the genre, everything. Weird. Tried it twice. I put the scene beat there as you do with my info, and it creates some story out from nowhere. What's going on? Any clue??

[@WritingWithAIMadeEasy]

Are you using the chat feature or the / commands options? Those are more difficult to control and need more guidance. That's why I like the chat feature where it's a conversation. It also depends on the information that you've put into the codex, where you're pulling the information from (what context you're telling it to use), and the AI you've chosen.

[@VladthePainter]

@@WritingWithAIMadeEasy Yeah - that was my question earlier, but no biggie. It wasn't pulling from anything - only until I actually set the Beats into the Prose section as you did in the video. I wanted it to pull from the Codex summaries I built in there, but it wouldn't, so I just copied and pasted from there into the Beat scene section for it to use. It writes okay, but still has a mind of its own even with the tons of guidance that I give it. But it helps as what I needed to fill in the story gaps that I lacked... So still experimenting with the various modes to find the right feel. Thanks for replying to my lunacy. I appreciate it --!

[@WritingWithAIMadeEasy]

The codex unfortunately doesn't quite work that way. It doesn't do summaries. It does more like...almost like a memory I suppose. Like if you remember lilacs being associated with your mom and so when you smell lilacs you think of your mom and when someone mentions lilacs you think of your mom, each of those triggers you can think of how the codex works. So every time lilacs are mentioned it pulls one what is in the codex under lilacs. So a character may say wow these lilacs are gorgeous and then the AI will have the other character respond yes, my mother planted them, they were her favorite. That's how the codex works. Because that word lilacs triggered what you had in there. So the more you put in associated with that word the more involved and more varied the information it will have in there. So building out the codex, especially in something more involved than this, is a huge benefit.

[@dougbarnes5739]

I'm super confused. I followed this video while trying to create my own novella. 30000 words over 15 chapters. It gave me a good outline which I placed into the plan. But when I ask GPT 4o to write chapter one, it gives me the entire story in about 2000 words.

[@WritingWithAIMadeEasy]

How detailed was the plan? Were you in chat where you chat with the scene only? What did you prompt for it to write the chapter? I've had it try to write the whole book at once when I was in the chat section and not chat with scene, which limits it to just the scene. Also, had you filled out the codex?

[@dougbarnes5739]

@@WritingWithAIMadeEasy Thanks for the quick reply. Yeah, it seems I was chatting with the whole book instead of the chapter. I guess there is no fear of AI taking over the world yet. 🤣

[@WritingWithAIMadeEasy]

Whole book is great for when you're doing beta reading though or you want to rework the outline :)

[@dougbarnes5739]

@@WritingWithAIMadeEasy Yeah I saw that in your vid. I didn't know that was a thing. It's a great bit of info to have.

[@WritingWithAIMadeEasy]

@@dougbarnes5739 it's fun to do and it's a great bit of info to have. I'm going to do a series of editing videos from this story starting probably later today or tomorrow morning and the first one I'm going to show are those beta reading questions because to me they're the first step to figuring out what needs improved.

[@verenaboeheim192]

I am intrigued by this process. Now I am curious. Let’s assume you want to publish this story, how much time goes into editing until you have a final product? Especially, with all the GPTisms and repetitions.

[@WritingWithAIMadeEasy]

Great question. To publish this one, which won't take a ton of rewriting and does have good bones I estimate around 6 hours, that's with a ten minute break per hour to get up and do other things. So between the actual creation and the editing plus making the cover art, I'll probably spend 8 hours on this story from having no idea to getting it up on Amazon KU. If It was a lot worse where things had gone way off base and I needed to rewrite huge chunks of it that's a lot longer, but this is good at it's base and needs edits, which I would talk to the AI for to get feedback of how each part can be improved while also going through and getting rid of those annoying AI bits that it throws in. The beta reading questions I asked it at the end are just the beginning.

[@verenaboeheim192]

@@WritingWithAIMadeEasy Just a note: I followed this approach step by step and it went well until I tried to generate the chapters in the chat box. It went off-rail all the time. It never referred to the chapter summary. It never referred to the codex. After hours of trying to get it right, I went back to writing scene by scene. I have absolutely no clue what I did wrong.

[@WritingWithAIMadeEasy]

Thank you for letting me know. I'm curious about your prompting and if you had the chat set to a specific context possibly.

[@verenaboeheim192]

I used your prompts word by word, and the context was set to the chapter. I work a lot in Novelcrafter, but usually with scene beats. I just wanted to get rid of the non-existent scene transition. Today when I tried again it said writing prose violates copyright 😅

[@WritingWithAIMadeEasy]

@@verenaboeheim192 Weird. Which AI?

[@JamesSedgwick-jp6hh]

What is a codex?

[@WritingWithAIMadeEasy]

It’s all the characters, locations, and objects that are in novel crafter that the ai pulls from