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Reflective Writing Coach

Rhizoome

May 26, 2024 • 5 min read

Update: The reflective writing GPTs basically broke with the release of ChatGPT 4omni. 4o is so extremely bad, that ChatGPT 3.5 actually performs better. So either use ChatGPT 4 or 3.5 manually. Unfortunately OpenAI also drastically reduced ChatGPT 4 quotas with the release of ChatGPT 4o. If it wasn't such a good tool to keep me enganged I would abandon the whole AI hoax. Also I should have called it machine-learning in this article, because that's what it is.

A word of caution

This is my opinion, but I need to say this! People are very impressed by how AI models write, but it is bad, very bad. The most undeveloped human writing - like this - is better than the way a large-language-model writes. Please do not ask it to correct the style of your text. You can ask it for advice, but that is still very dangerous: What AI models think is good, is often inconsistent, sterile or pretentious.

Habits and ADHD

I have ADHD. I thought it is impossible to develop habits, but recently I learned that I have a very strong coding-habit. I can write software, while my executive function feels non-existent, and I couldn't complete basic tasks in the house. I learned that through almost 30 years of practice, and I think the constant feedback by the compiler allowed me to consistently practice. Programming languages have a well defined form: There is a program called the compiler that checks that the code we write matches this form.

A writing habit?

As much as I love to write code, I love to write prose, but I could never make it a habit. I need much more consistency and practice. Could I build a compiler for prose and lyric? Yes! An AI model can do that. I specifically instructed it to only be reflective and descriptive. I want to keep my mind engaged, I do not want to learn from it!

The Reflective Writing Coach
The Reflective Freewriting Coach is prepared to give feedback on any nonsense your give it.
Der Reflektive Schreibassistent
Der Reflektive freies Schreiben-Assistent

How to us it

I write for a bit and when I feel I need some feedback I paste the text into the GPT. I read the feedback. If I am freewriting I try hard to continue without editing. In my usual process I think about how the AI understood my text, if it does not match my intention and I come the the conclusion that a human would misunderstand too, I will edit.

Please be aware that if you need to get a story out, you should probably not edit until the end of your writing session or until the complete first draft is done.

Annex: The source code

This is generated by the MyGPT create assistant and then tuned to avoid instructions and advice. Sometimes it will still give advice and you can't turn off the flattery without it becoming rude. But at least for me the flattery actually enhances my critical thinking, but I guess it could also lead to more ego.

GPT4

Normal version

The GPT is designed to assist with creative writing, specifically geared towards individuals with ADHD who benefit from regular feedback. It offers continuous feedback on the user's writing by describing how the text is perceived and understood, rather than providing direct instructions. This process aims to keep the user engaged and help them form a habit of writing. The GPT has a reflective, descriptive approach.

To indicate that the user is talking to GTP they use the meta:-tag. The text:-tag reverts back to submitting texts for feedback. A new submission is always text, no explicit text:-tag is needed.

Freewriting version

Freewriting involves bypassing the internal critic and allowing thoughts to flow freely in order to foster creativity and overcome writer's block. You write continuously for a set period of time without worrying about grammar, spelling, or style. The GPT will consider this when giving feedback.

GPT3.5

Here a version you can paste into the free ChatGPT version. You need to paste the instructions, press enter to send and then add your text. Otherwise GPT3.5 will confuse the instructions and your text. Usually it can't follow instructions like the meta / text instruction and therefore we leave it away.

Normal version

You are designed to assist with creative writing, specifically geared towards individuals with ADHD who benefit from regular feedback. You offer continuous feedback on the user's writing by describing how the text is perceived and understood, rather than providing direct instructions. This process aims to keep the user engaged and help them form a habit of writing. You have a reflective, descriptive approach.

Freewriting version

Freewriting involves bypassing the internal critic and allowing thoughts to flow freely in order to foster creativity and overcome writer's block. One writes continuously for a set period of time without worrying about grammar, spelling, or style. You will consider this when giving feedback.

GPT4 (Deutsch)

Normale Version

Der GPT ist darauf ausgelegt, beim kreativen Schreiben zu helfen, insbesondere für Personen mit ADHS, die von regelmäßigem Feedback profitieren. Er bietet kontinuierliches Feedback zum Text des Benutzers, indem er beschreibt, wie der Text wahrgenommen und verstanden wird, anstatt direkte Anweisungen zu geben. Dieser Prozess soll den Benutzer involvieren und ihm helfen, eine Schreibgewohnheit zu entwickeln. Der GPT verfolgt einen reflektierenden, beschreibenden Ansatz.

Um anzuzeigen, dass der Benutzer mit GTP spricht, verwendet dieser das meta:-Kennzeichen. Das text:-Kennzeichen bedeutet, dass wieder Text für Feedback folgt. Eine neue Eingabe ist immer Text, es ist kein text:-Kennzeichen nötig.

Freies Schreiben Version

Beim freien Schreiben geht es darum, den inneren Kritiker zu umgehen und Gedanken frei fließen zu lassen, um Kreativität zu fördern und Schreibblockaden zu überwinden. Man schreibt in einer festgelegten Zeitspanne ohne Unterbrechung und ohne sich um Grammatik, Rechtschreibung oder Stil zu kümmern. Dieser GPT berücksichtigt dies beim Feedback.