Let ChatGPT Create Great Copy
When writing your autobiography or
biography, it's essential to start by crafting your story from the very beginning. To do this effectively, begin
by exploring the foundational details of your life or the life of the person you're writing about.
Start by
asking yourself or your parents these key questions:
When and where were you born?- Who were your parents, and what were they like?
- Did you have any siblings, and what was your relationship with them?
- Where did you go to school, and what were those early years like?
- Did your family ever move, and how did those experiences shape your life?
These questions will help you uncover the
essential details that lay the groundwork for a compelling narrative. By reflecting on these early experiences,
you can begin to weave together a story that captures the essence of your life or the life you're documenting,
giving readers a rich understanding of the person at the heart of the biography.
A simple Google search for "100 questions to ask your parents" can provide a comprehensive, chronologically organized list to help guide your writing process. For my father-in-law’s biography, I took a personalized approach by creating a list of questions and sending him home with a tape recorder. Over the next month, he leisurely recorded his memories, providing me with invaluable material to craft his life story, which you can read at JosephCDilucido.Mystories.cloud.
Because he recorded his answers, I was able to include audio clips of him describing events in his own words. This added a deeply personal touch to the biography, allowing his great-great-grandchildren to hear his stories directly from him.
To get started with your writing, begin by laying out the photos you plan to use. These visual prompts can serve as powerful inspiration, guiding your narrative as you piece together the story. Once your short draft is complete, paste it into ChatGPT.com. The AI will help refine and polish your writing, adding the professional touch of a seasoned copywriter.
Here are two examples of how ChatGPT.com can transform even the roughest draft into polished, compelling text.
#1. ChatGPT, please make this into a
story.
"Grampa Joe was Born on Feb 1st, 1917 in Providence Rhode Island. His dad
was industrious and built their first home. His dad was very good at gardening and they ate well through the
depression. Joe joined the Army and entered Germany on D-Day plus 4, he was wounded in the battle of the
Bulge and earned a Purple Heart. He returned and married his sweetheart, Rose. He had two children and
eventually one grandchild. Joe had many hobbies from travel to stamp collecting, to woodwork, to his special
passion for photography. Joe spent 60 years in paint, first as a chemist, formulating the paint, to
eventually sell the paint to stores on Cap Code."
From that request,
ChatGPT produced this polished version.
Grampa Joe was born on February 1st, 1917, in the
bustling city of Providence, Rhode Island. From a young age, he was surrounded by the strong work ethic of his
father, a man of determination and skill. His father, with his own hands and sweat, built their family's first home,
a modest but sturdy dwelling that became the foundation of their life. Beyond the walls of the house, his father's
hands worked miracles in the garden. The soil, tilled and nurtured, yielded bountiful crops that fed the family
well, even during the darkest days of the Great Depression. In those times of hardship, the garden was not just a
source of food, but a testament to resilience and hope.
As Joe grew up, these lessons of hard work and perseverance were etched deeply into his character. When the world was plunged into the chaos of World War II, Joe answered the call to serve. He joined the Army and became a part of history as he entered Germany on D-Day plus 4. The horrors of war were unimaginable, and Joe faced them head-on. In the fierce cold of the Battle of the Bulge, he was wounded, a sacrifice that earned him the Purple Heart. The medal was a symbol of his bravery and the wounds he carried were a constant reminder of the cost of freedom.
When the war ended,
Joe returned home, not just as a soldier, but as a man with a future. He reunited with his sweetheart, Rose,
whose love had sustained him through the darkest of times. They married, and together they built a life filled
with love and joy. Joe and Rose were blessed with two children, who grew up in a home filled with stories of the
past and dreams for the future. As the years passed, their family expanded with the birth of a grandchild, a new
life that brought boundless joy to Joe's heart.
Throughout his life, Joe was a man of many passions. He found joy in the small things and the grand. His travels took him to new places, expanding his horizons and filling his heart with memories. He was meticulous in his stamp collecting, a hobby that connected him to the wider world through tiny, colorful pieces of paper. His hands, so skilled in the garden and on the battlefield, also mastered the art of woodwork, creating beautiful pieces that would be treasured by his family.
But it was
photography that truly captured Joe's soul. Through the lens of his camera, he saw the world in a unique way,
preserving moments of beauty, love, and life that might otherwise have been lost. Each photograph was a story, a
memory, a piece of history that Joe carefully framed and cherished.
For sixty years, Joe's career in paint was a testament to his dedication and expertise. He began as a chemist, formulating paints that would bring color and life to homes and buildings. Over time, his role evolved, and he became a trusted figure, selling his carefully crafted paints to stores across Cape Cod. His knowledge and passion for his work were unmatched, and his contributions left a lasting mark on the industry.
Grampa Joe's life was one of service, love, and passion. He was a man who built, nurtured, fought, loved, and created. His legacy was not just in the family he raised or the work he did, but in the way, he lived his life'with determination, kindness, and a deep appreciation for the beauty of the world around him.
#2. ChatGPT, Please make this more exciting and longer.
"Steve and I left LAX in mid-September for Uganda to search for the amazing Garilla's up in the Mountains. We stayed at the Nile Safari Lodge, amazing accommodations right on the Nile. We set off on our first day to see the Murchison Falls, they were something. We saw Chimpanzees, elephants, big cats, and an array of African plants and animals. On our big day, Sherpas assisted Steve to get him up to the Apes. Such a surreal experience."
From that request, ChatGPT produced this polished version.
Steve and I departed from LAX on a warm mid-September morning, filled with excitement and anticipation for our adventure in Uganda. Our mission? To trek into the misty mountains and come face-to-face with one of nature's most magnificent creatures: the mountain gorillas.
Our journey began with a stay at the Nile Safari Lodge, an oasis nestled along the mighty Nile River. The lodge itself was a marvel'luxurious, yet somehow harmoniously blending with the rugged beauty of the Ugandan landscape. Each night, we fell asleep to the symphony of river sounds and distant wildlife calls, fully immersed in the African wilderness.
Our first day was dedicated to exploring Murchison Falls. As we approached, we could feel the raw power and energy of the falls before we even saw them. The water cascaded violently, roaring as it pushed through the narrow gorge, creating an endless mist. It was an awe-inspiring sight, a reminder of nature's incredible force and beauty. We stood there, humbled by the sheer scale and strength of this natural wonder.
Over the next few days, we embarked on safari expeditions, eager to soak in all that Uganda's unique wildlife had to offer. We watched as families of elephants meandered through the tall grasses, saw graceful giraffes stretching toward treetops, and held our breath as big cats prowled silently through the brush. Chimpanzees swung through the trees above us, chattering away in lively conversation, adding to the vibrant pulse of the African landscape. The diversity of plants and animals was staggering, each new encounter more breathtaking than the last.
Finally, the big day arrived. Our trek to find the gorillas was both thrilling and challenging. The terrain was steep and unforgiving, but Steve was determined, and the local sherpas lent a helping hand, guiding him along the narrow trails. The air was thick with humidity, and the dense foliage made each step an adventure.
Then, after hours of hiking, we saw them'the gorillas. Time seemed to slow as we took in the scene: a family of gorillas lounging and grooming, completely at ease in their natural habitat. Watching these gentle giants, we felt a connection that words could hardly capture. Their expressive faces, their playful interactions, and their soulful eyes held us in spellbound silence. It was a surreal and deeply moving experience, one that left us profoundly grateful for the opportunity to share a moment in their world.
As we descended from the mountains that evening, Steve and I couldn't stop talking about the experience, reliving each sight and sound, already nostalgic for the magic of Uganda. This trip was so much more than we had hoped for'an adventure of a lifetime that would stay with us forever.