Who is Julianne Hartley?
I read Monica Ali’s article about genAI and creative writing in the Guardian last week.
While I share her concern over diverse voices being drowned out by a deluge of synthetic literature, I feel that the abilities of genAI are being underestimated. For all the progress genAI has demonstrated in coding, HR, sales, strategy and many more professional fields - its creative writing abilities are less known and respected.
So I decided this was interesting enough to go down the rabbit hole for a little while.
I was intrigued by how well the latest version of Chat GPT would perform as a writer. Initially, I wanted ChatGPT to write a letter with an opposing point of view to Monica Ali’s, in the style of Martin Amis. (I imagine he would have enjoyed being fairly cantankerous on this topic, if a little conflicted.)
I also wanted to see if ChatGPT would be able to do a better job than Laika with the passage Ali fed it as a challenge.
As it turns out, ChatGPT is restricted both on the count of imitating an author, and dealing with explicit text, but it did suggest a way it could help: “While I cannot write explicit content or generate text in the exact style of a specific author like Martin Amis, I can certainly draft a response to the article that acknowledges Monica Ali's concerns and presents a perspective on the capabilities of AI in literary creativity.”
OK. This inspired me to take a different approach. What if we invented a ‘writer’, and had ‘her’ respond to Monica Ali’s article?
We know that ChatGPT likes to go ‘step-by-step’, so first I worked on defining Julianne Hartley, then on writing some of her first book, and finally setting out a response to Monica Ali.
Honestly, I think ChatGPT did a pretty good job. We started with the back-story:
Name
Julianne Hartley
Background and Early Life
Julianne Hartley was born in 1975 in Asheville, North Carolina, to a family deeply entrenched in the arts. Her father was a local theater director, and her mother, a literature teacher.
Growing up in the vibrant cultural scene of Asheville, Julianne developed a love for storytelling and writing at a very young age. She would often be found scribbling stories in her notebooks, heavily inspired by the Appalachian folklore her grandmother shared with her.
Despite her creative inclinations, Julianne initially pursued a degree in Environmental Science from the University of North Carolina, driven by her passion for nature and conservation. After college, while working as a park ranger in the Great Smoky Mountains, Julianne rediscovered her love for writing. She began penning short stories inspired by the natural beauty and rich history of the area.
Career and Achievements
Julianne’s first break came with the publication of her debut novel, "Whispers in the Mist," a mystery thriller set against the backdrop of the Smoky Mountains. The book was praised for its atmospheric setting and rich storytelling.
Following the success of her first book, Julianne shifted her focus entirely to writing. Her subsequent novels, "The Shadow of the Dogwood" and "Beneath the Blue Ridge," both became bestsellers, cementing her status as a prominent voice in Southern Gothic literature.
Expanding her creative horizons, Julianne ventured into screenwriting. Her first screenplay, "Midnight at the Magnolia," was adapted into a critically acclaimed independent film. The movie, set in a small Southern town, explored themes of love, loss, and redemption.
Julianne’s latest work, "Echoes of Appalachia," is a historical fiction novel exploring the intertwined fates of two families over several generations in the Appalachian region. It has been nominated for several literary awards.
Personal Life and Style
Julianne is known for her vivid and immersive storytelling, often blending elements of mystery, folklore, and historical fiction.
Her writing is heavily influenced by her upbringing in the South and her deep appreciation for nature and history.
Julianne currently lives in a restored farmhouse outside Asheville with her two dogs. She is an advocate for environmental conservation and often incorporates these themes into her writing.
Despite her fame, Julianne remains deeply connected to her roots and often participates in local literary events and workshops.
Julianne Hartley's journey from a park ranger to a celebrated author mirrors her deep connection with the natural world and her passion for storytelling, making her a unique and respected figure in the literary community.
OK, granted this feels more than a little ‘young adult’, or a student project. But I was hopeful to see what Julia could write, with ultimate goal of drafting a letter to The Guardian.
I’m going to make this a ‘limited series’, so you can see the creative writing in the next post, and the response to the Guardian in the one after that (just click to the left below to follow the story).
PS: Monica Ali’s original Guardian piece is here