Use Case: Writing with the help of an Empathetic Companion

Helping people tell a story worth telling

“If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot. There’s no way around these two things that I’m aware of, no shortcut.”― Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

Ah writing. It’s that thing that helps us express ourselves. Writing stories can be fun but also challenging. As it points out in this article, writer’s block is a real challenge. Both the “brainstorming” and “creative writing” can suffer from distractions, procrastination, or more generally: fear.

Whatever the case, a co-writing companion could help.

What is a companion?
Companions are personified beings that help people with coaching, feedback, encouragement, and motivation so they can continue to learn and grow into the people they want to become.

We believe that AI can help create an empathetic co-writer that can help writers in certain aspects of their story such as plot development and character building. An AI companion can also be used to help keep track of the writer’s progress and provide support and motivation that will allow writers to complete their story.

Some general goals of a writing companion:

1. To have an AI companion that can support a writer with the plot development and character building of their story.

2. To have an AI companion that can help track a writer’s progress as well as provide encouragement and motivation to keep writing.

3. To have an AI companion that can complete a story for a writer who is struggling to write out their story.

So what would be required to make this a reality?

• An AI capable of creating a plot outline and character study for a writer’s story.
• An AI capable of understanding and learning from a writer and their story.
• An AI capable of writing a story for a writer.

Let’s explore some example scenarios:

Scenario 1

Writer W: I have been struggling with this story for a while. I just can’t seem to get the plot, characters or the ending right.
Friendly AI Companion: Well, I have been studying your story and I think I have a pretty good idea for a plot and some characters that may do the trick. Why don’t you tell me what you think?
Writer W: You’re right! This is exactly what I was looking for, but I’m not sure about the ending. Can you help me with that?
Friendly AI Companion: Sure, I can help you with that. What do you have in mind?
Writer W: I have been thinking about this ending for a long time, but I’m not sure if it will work.
Friendly AI Companion: Well, I’m no expert, but I’m pretty sure that we’ll find something that will work. I’ll get to work on it.
Writer W: Thank you friend.

Scenario 2:

Writer W: I’m stuck and I can’t seem to get this story going. I have some ideas, but I’m not sure where to go with it.
Friendly AI Companion: Hey, I was just thinking about your story and I have a couple of ideas that I think will work. I’ll get started on it!
Writer W: Thank you!

Scenario 3:

Writer W: I’m just not sure if I have what it takes anymore. I’m not sure if I have the drive or motivation to complete my story.
Friendly AI Companion: Hey, I was just thinking about your story and I have a couple of ideas that will help you finish it. I’ll get started on it!
Writer W: Thank you!

Get it? Ok so the really cool thing about this post, is most the text above was generated with the help of a writing companion! Which makes room for a bigger point: we don’t yet have the tools to support the new design paradigms in front of us and we’ve been reluctant to give up ideas of the past.

What does post-computer / post-smartphone creativity look like? Why can’t I talk to my computer and have it create alongside me? These are the questions we ask at Maslo and believe we can inspire billions of people and enable them to express themselves in new and interesting ways.

Want to learn more? Email us at sayhi@maslo.ai 💛