Comparing ChatGPT vs Bard for Writing a Draft Scene

This post will be personal. I love to write! Been working on a novel for about 10 months now ... in my first major revision ... and have been adding scenes, editing scenes, and experimenting with GPT4 at the chapter, paragraph, sentence level.

GPT4 has been immensely helpful for analysis. If it doesn't understand the passage ... then I'm quite certain a human won't either. Always looking for clarity, and emotional impact.

In this post, I want to share what I see in my testing between ChatGPT4 and Bard.

PROMPT: Write a scene from a novel using the following as the inspiration. Make it compelling, interesting, and filled with subtext.

Severino makes a deal with Rhinehart … insider trading for his endorsement for Mayor … Rhinehart agrees only if Severino will take his daughter off his hands. She needs someone to control her.

NOTE: I made Katerina a strong woman in 1904 Philadelphia. She is brash, beautiful, and brave ... and these guys are typical guys you would find in 1904 (and maybe even today) ... so please keep that in mind.

BARD output

Severino sat in the back of the limo, his hands clasped tightly in his lap. He had been planning this meeting for months, and now that it was finally here, he couldn't help but feel nervous.

He had been working hard to build up his reputation as a successful businessman, and he knew that if he could get the endorsement of Rhinehart, one of the most powerful men in the city, it would be a huge boost to his campaign.

But Rhinehart was a tough man to get an audience with, and Severino knew that he would have to offer him something in return for his endorsement.

Severino had been thinking about what he could offer Rhinehart for weeks, and he had finally come up with a plan. He knew that Rhinehart's daughter was a wild child, and that he was constantly having to bail her out of trouble.

Severino had decided that he would offer to marry Rhinehart's daughter if Rhinehart would endorse him for mayor. It was a risky proposition, but Severino knew that it was the only way he could get Rhinehart's help.

The limo pulled up in front of Rhinehart's mansion, and Severino took a deep breath before getting out. He walked up to the front door and rang the bell.

A few moments later, the door opened, and Rhinehart himself appeared. He was a tall, imposing man with a stern expression on his face.

"Can I help you?" he asked.

"I'm here to see Mr. Rhinehart," Severino said. "My name is Severino."

"I know who you are," Rhinehart said. "What do you want?"

"I want your endorsement for mayor," Severino said.

Rhinehart laughed. "You think you can buy my endorsement?" he asked.

"I'm not trying to buy it," Severino said. "I'm offering you a deal. If you endorse me for mayor, I'll marry your daughter."

Rhinehart's eyes widened. "You're insane," he said. "My daughter is nothing like you."

"I know," Severino said. "But she needs someone to control her, and I'm the man for the job."

Rhinehart was silent for a moment, considering Severino's offer. "I'll think about it," he said finally.

"I'm sure you will," Severino said. "And I hope you'll make the right decision."

Severino turned and walked away, leaving Rhinehart standing in the doorway, his mind racing.

ChatGPT output

Severino's eyes darted around the dimly lit room, searching for any sign of eavesdroppers or interlopers. Satisfied that they were alone, he leaned in closer to Rhinehart, his voice low and steady. "I can make you a rich man, Rhinehart, far richer than you are now. Your influence in this city will grow tenfold. All I ask in return is your endorsement for Mayor. What do you say?"

Rhinehart leaned back in his chair, his gnarled hands folded over his protruding belly. He stared at Severino with a knowing smirk, his eyes glinting in the candlelight. "You know, Severino, I've always admired your ability to stay one step ahead. I've watched you navigate this city like a skilled sailor through treacherous waters, and I must admit, it's impressive. But what you're suggesting is quite the risk."

Severino's mouth tightened, his jaw clenching in silent frustration. He knew that Rhinehart's loyalty could not be bought easily. "I assure you, Rhinehart, the rewards will far outweigh any risk. You'll have your fortune, and with me as Mayor, the city will be ours to shape."

Rhinehart's eyes narrowed, his smirk fading into a sly grin. "Very well, Severino. I accept your proposition, but only on one condition." He paused, savoring the anticipation in Severino's eyes. "You must take my daughter, Camilla, off my hands."

Severino's eyes widened, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. He had heard whispers of Rhinehart's rebellious daughter, a woman who defied convention and taunted the city's elite. "Why, Rhinehart? What do you expect me to do with her?"

Rhinehart leaned forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "The girl is wild, Severino. She's headstrong and stubborn, and she's becoming a liability. I need someone with your... finesse to control her, to rein her in before she brings ruin upon us all."

Severino pursed his lips, his gaze drifting to the worn wooden floor beneath his feet. He understood the gravity of Rhinehart's request, and yet, the potential for power and wealth beckoned him like a siren's call.

After what felt like an eternity, he looked Rhinehart in the eye, his voice resolute. "Very well. I'll take Camilla under my wing. I'll do what it takes to control her, but your loyalty must be absolute, Rhinehart. You endorse me for Mayor, and the insider trading profits will be yours."

Rhinehart nodded, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Agreed, Severino. We have a deal." They shook hands, sealing their pact in the shadows, their fates now intertwined. Little did they know that the fire of Camilla's spirit would prove to be a challenge far greater than either of them could have ever anticipated.

Conclusion

For me the difference is clear, one does more telling and the other does more showing ... which is much better when you are writing a story. Something you do need to be aware of is that GPT4 does not like conflict ... so if you ask it to do something along those lines ... it won't do it. It will also tell you that you may be in violation of the usage policy if you have your character's fighting, being attacked, etc. Just something to be aware of.

I'd be curious which of the two you liked best. Neither is Pulitzer Prize material, but definitely good first draft material.