Tobias Malm's Blog: Tobias Malm's blog

Since 2002, when I was just 17, I embarked on a unique literary journey, transforming my daily experiences into a rich tapestry of personal history through diary writing. Now, after two decades, this journey has led me to amass over a million words, a monumental feat that encapsulates the essence of my life's narrative.

Crafting Days into Stories

Unlike traditional diary entries that often consist of brief notes and reflections, my approach has been to turn each day into a short story. This creative process involves weaving the mundane and the extraordinary into compelling narratives, making my diary not just a record of days passed but a collection of life's stories told from a deeply personal perspective. Each year, I complete a volume of about 100,000 words, a testament to the consistency and dedication to this craft.

Keeping "The Red Thread" Alive

In Swedish, we have a saying, "den röda tråden," which translates to "the red thread" in English. It signifies a coherent, continuous theme or idea. My diary writing doesn't follow a daily routine; instead, I write frequently enough to maintain this red thread, ensuring that the continuity of my life's narrative is preserved. This approach allows me to capture the essence of my experiences without the pressure of daily documentation.

The Whys of Diary Writing

1. Therapeutic Benefits
The act of writing a diary has been a therapeutic endeavor. Pouring thoughts, fears, joys, and sorrows onto the page has offered a form of catharsis, a way to process and make sense of my life experiences. It's a private space where I can be unapologetically honest, leading to a deeper understanding of myself.

2. Personal Growth and Reflection
Looking back at my earlier entries, I see a clear evolution of my character. This practice has been like a mirror, reflecting my growth and changes over time. It's a reminder of where I started and how far I've come, offering a unique perspective on personal development that is often hard to see in the moment.

3. Honing Writing Skills
While my diary is written in Swedish, this continuous writing practice has undoubtedly honed my overall writing skills. It's an exercise in expression, helping me to articulate thoughts and emotions effectively. Mastering the art of writing in English remains a goal, inspired by my diary writing in my native tongue.

4. A Legacy for Future Generations
My diary isn't about self-importance; it's about leaving a legacy of the ordinary. I believe that there's immense value in the records of an everyday life. Inspired by works like 'The Journal of A Disappointed Man,' I hope to offer future generations, especially potential grandchildren, a window into the past, into the life of someone ordinary yet unique in their own right.

Writing a diary has been a journey of self-discovery, artistic expression, and legacy building. It's a practice that has shaped me as a writer and as an individual. I share my experience in the hope that it might inspire others to pick up the pen and start their own diary, creating a lasting imprint of their passage through life.

Hello fellow writers and creatives! I'm excited to share with you a breakthrough in AI-assisted writing: the Creative Writing Assistant, a specialized GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) that I've been developing to enhance our writing process.

What Are GPTs?

First, let's delve into what GPTs are. These AI models, developed by OpenAI, have revolutionized how we interact with artificial intelligence. The most recent advancement is the ability for users to create customized GPTs tailored to specific tasks. This means you can have an AI specifically designed for your unique needs, whether it's for business, education, or, as in our case, creative writing.

Accessibility of Creative Writing Assistant

To access this exciting tool, you'll need a Plus subscription with OpenAI. This subscription not only grants you access to the standard ChatGPT but also allows you to explore the vast potential of customized GPTs like the Creative Writing Assistant.

The Core Purpose

The Creative Writing Assistant is meticulously designed to help you transform a rough draft into a polished second draft. However, it's crucial to understand that it's not a replacement for the human touch in achieving a final draft. The AI serves as a bridge between your initial ideas and a refined manuscript, but the final artistic finesse requires a human hand.

How to Use the Creative Writing Assistant

Here's a breakdown of how you can leverage its capabilities:

Line-Editing: Paste your text and press enter and the AI will improve it for readability and flow. Mark areas with "(GPT)" where you desire enhancements or specific word choices. For example, “The boy found a key in the (GPT) forest” prompts the AI to insert an appropriate adjective. You can also converse with it for more specific tasks like you can with ChatGPT. There's also commands you can use for different responses;

Feedback: Get constructive comments on your writing by typing "(Feedback)" followed by your text.

Continue a Story: Extend your narrative seamlessly by using "(Continue)" and providing the starting text.

Illustrate Scenarios or Concepts: Visualize your writing scenes with "(Illustrate)" followed by a description for a detailed portrayal.

Word Count and Text Length Guidelines

Maximum Length: The AI handles up to 500-600 words per prompt efficiently.

Paragraph Focus: For longer texts, break them into smaller segments for better results.

Entire Document Editing: Edit lengthy documents in parts for more effective outcomes.

Example in Action

Unedited Text: "The door opened automatically. We were pushed inside. The male guards stayed behind. This was a large office."

Edited Text: "The door swung open of its own accord, ushering us inside. A gentle, yet firm push at our backs nudged us forward. Behind us, the male guards halted, their presence lingering just beyond the threshold. We found ourselves in a spacious office, its expanse suggesting authority and purpose."

This example illustrates the AI's capability to enhance narrative depth and vividness.

The Creative Writing Assistant is a groundbreaking tool in the realm of AI-assisted creativity. It's designed to work with you, molding your rough drafts into richer, more nuanced versions. Remember, it's a stepping stone towards your final masterpiece, which will always need your unique creative touch.

If you have an OpenAI Plus subscription, you can try out the writing assistant here:

https://chat.openai.com/g/g-K6Iy7avjJ...

Happy writing, and I can't wait to hear about your experiences with the Creative Writing Assistant! 📝✨