Unveiling a Smarter Narrative Model

Fine-tuning AI for richer storytelling

There's been some fascinating progress behind the scenes in the narrative tech world that's sure to make your storytelling journey even more rewarding. If you've been around the block a few times with AI-based story generators, you know they're continually evolving—but this latest update is very promising.

A Historic Dilemma in Storytelling

For as long as stories have been told, writers have often merged the roles of the Antagonist and the Obstacle Character. Think Nolan's The Dark Knight and the Joker. Brilliant, right? But not every tale needs or wants this fusion--especially when doing so incurs the cost of casting that Player as the "villain" of the story. Earlier versions of narrative-generating AI would often, by default (and based on their thousand-year history of training), suggest the most obvious "bad guy" as the Obstacle Character.

But not anymore.

What's Changed?

Take this example: you're working on a Coming of Age Drama where the Protagonist (and assumed Main Character), a high school cellist named Mia, finds herself uncovering some troubling family secrets. In the plot, the father's mistress is scheming to sabotage the family unit.

After the sudden death of her mother, 17-year-old Mia struggles to cope and becomes increasingly distant from her father. When she discovers a box of her mother's old journals, she sets out on a journey to learn more about her mother's past and heal from her grief. However, her exploration leads to dark family secrets being revealed, including her father's affair and her mother's mental illness, pushing Mia to confront her own identity and the meaning of family. Meanwhile, her father's mistress, a manipulative and cruel figure, attempts to destroy the family's already fragile relationships.

In the past, the algorithm would have likely flagged the mistress as the Obstacle Character as it automatically called out the Antagonist as the "challenge" character.

But guess what? Now it might suggest Mia's younger sister, Kat, for that role. This not only adds a fresh twist to your story but also opens the door to more nuanced character interactions.

By unseating the obvious from the development of the story, the storyteller ensures engagement and nuance unavailable in a bare-bones approach to artificial intelligence.

Why This is Exciting

The key takeaway here is that the model is now smart enough to propose choices that make your story richer, more layered, and less predictable. The Obstacle Character doesn't always have to be the Antagonist; they could be a friend, a family member, or a mentor—anyone who challenges the Main Character in complex ways that drive personal growth or transformation.

I put this understanding through its paces using a "Generate a Complete Story" feature found in Subtxt, and the combination of Mia's sister Kat with the general understanding of the plot resulted in a more comprehensive and meaningful appreciation of the complete story:

Mia Hall's world is turned upside down when her mother suddenly passes away, leaving her and her family in a state of turmoil. As she struggles to come to terms with her loss, Mia discovers her mother's journals and uncovers a web of dark family secrets. Her father's affair and her mother's mental illness are just the beginning of the shocking revelations that threaten to tear her family apart. To make matters worse, her father's manipulative mistress, determined to destroy their already fragile relationships, adds to the tension and conflict within the family. At 17 years old, Mia is forced to confront her own identity and the meaning of family as she grapples with the aftermath of her mother's death. Her journey is filled with internal conflict as she tries to make sense of her mother's past and understand her own place in the world.

Adding to her struggles is her younger sister, Kat, whose rebellious nature and constant challenges force Mia to reevaluate her own beliefs and values. Despite their differences, Kat's actions serve as a mirror for Mia, reflecting the parts of her life that she has been avoiding or suppressing. Initially, Mia and Kat are at odds with each other, divided by their grief and conflicting personalities. However, their relationship takes a transformative turn when they discover their mother's journals. Together, they embark on a journey of understanding and acceptance, as they navigate their shared grief and their mother's secrets. As they grow closer, their rivalry turns into a deep bond of sisterhood, and they develop a newfound appreciation for each other. Through this shared experience, they both learn to heal and grow, ultimately strengthening their relationship.

As Mia delves deeper into her mother's past and uncovers the truth about her family, she also learns to come to terms with her own emotions and find closure. The journey is not an easy one, as she faces challenges and obstacles along the way, but ultimately, she emerges stronger and more resilient. Through the ups and downs of her family's turmoil, Mia learns the true meaning of love, forgiveness, and the unbreakable bond of family.

This level of nuance was previously a domain only a seasoned narrative expert would venture into. And now? Well, let's just say we've got our work cut out for us fine-tuning the rest of Subtxt's narrative model.

So keep an eye out for more advancements. Because in the world of AI and storytelling, the horizon is forever expanding.